How is your wardrobe mix and match going? For many, including me, the days working from home have increased so it may have created a different balance in what you like to wear this winter.
My track-pants, warmer layers and Uggs are getting a nice workout and in my Zoom calls I focus on outfits and colours that are comfortable and translate well on video.
No matter how dressy or casual the outfit, I always start with a hero of the outfit and work around that to add the other elements. And just because I don’t leave the house as much, I still wear colours and fabrics that make me feel happy.
MIX AND MATCH TIPS
This week I will share some tips on how you can put colour combinations together, how to mix and match patterns and use textures to elevate your look.
COLOUR OPTIONS
When I ask clients about favourite colours I often get navy, black, white and grey. Digging a little deeper I find that they are safe colour picks that don’t always make them happy. In fact they are often so bored of wearing the same for years and find themselves stuck in a rut.
Every colour season (there are 12 in total) has an entire selection that ranges from yellows, greens, blues, periwinkles, purples, pinks, reds, oranges, beiges, whites and the right level charcoal or black.
On top of that there are a great number of universal colours that suit every body such as deep reds, turquoise, teal blue and green and chocolate. Colours that are not too cool, warm, clear or muted.
The image above of a colour swatch is for a Soft & Cool colour season I took recently for a client. You can see there are bands of colour, from light to dark.
These bands will lead to mixing and matching magic as the colours from your swatch in approximately the same lightness or darkness (in official terms that is called depth of colour) will all go together.
Each of the 12 colour seasons have a different combination of depth that is suited to that person. Some people need a lot of contrast and others not as much.
And that is just a simple starting point of mixing and matching, because in your swatch many of these shades will go together.
TAKE ACTION
Now, if colours are really hard for you, what are you waiting for? Book in and let’s get you matched with a colour swatch that suits your eyes, skin and hair the best. After that you can take the guess work out of it completely.
It comes with 6 months of VIP access so you can try so many combinations and I will help you fine-tune the match.
Below is an example that I created for a client in the Inner Circle program from one of the brands that she loves to wear, Witchery.
It gives a really good example of how with the one patterned coat you have so many different colour options and looks from casual to more dressy.
MULTIPLE PATTERNS
Reflecting on the image above you see a range of solid colours and also the patterned floral skirt. Yep this is a little more advanced but I wanted to broaden your horizon while we are on the subject.
Most importantly the tones need to be similar for it to work and apply the two out of three rule; 2 patterns with one block colour to bring a sense of harmony and peace to the outfit.
And think outside of the box. The second pattern can come from a top, bottom, scarf, earring, necklace, sneaker, shoe or handbag. And some of you might never go here. It is all good. Make it your own, suiting your taste buds.
I have been known to add stripes with floral skirts and pants. I love pushing the limits of mixing and matching.
As I love patterns so much. So I have started a Pinterest board when I see multiple patterns work really well together. Some brands live for patterns so I hope you like what you see.
https://www.pinterest.com.au/styleangel3/mixing-patterns/
ADDING TEXTURES
Summer and winter have different fabric textures. Linen is gorgeous in summer and does not make so much sense when the weather is 10 degrees.
Even colours change a lot according to the season. That will mean that some summer tops don’t mix well with your winter looks. They are best kept in a seperate section.
This is what I do when I do the wardrobe switch. Move those items to a different part of the wardrobe. So your best current season items are getting the best light. Ready to inspire you.
Depending on where you live design your wardrobe around this. I look after people around the globe and some places have less seasonality than others.
Below is another example of different textures from Witchery that all make sense in the right season. A winter coat on a summer skirt does not work. So this deeper grey skirt works much better. It will allow you to wear it in the shoulder seasons as well.
Now these images were picked with one person in mind, my client. But it demonstrates different textures so you can fill in the blanks with brands and garments you like to wear.
Below are many synthetics, wool, velvet and tweeds mixed and matched. All so timeless!
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