Pattern Chic: Stripes & Polka Dots

Mixing patterns adds another dimension to your styling options; pairing a patterned item with a single color that appears in said piece is the easiest way to style it, but when you boldly mix two seemingly unrelated patterns, you add a level of depth to the look which is elevated chic!

1.  Old Navy -Monogrammed Navy Striped Sweater
2.  Cynthia Rowley -Polka Dot Shorts in Navy
3.  MIA -Jaqilyn in Navy

Perhaps the two oldest patterns, stripes and polka dots, get a modern update when worn together in this monogrammed sweater (1) and these polka dot shorts (2).  The wedge sandals (3) are just icing on the cake with their bold, white top-stitching.

 

1, 2, 3 Chic!

1, 2, 3 Chic!

This braided shopper/tote bag from Zara is a favorite of mine especially when I head to the farmer's market or the mall.  Tan is the perfect color for an accessory to navy blue -a rich, deep hue in a bold design can make even the most ordinary outing extraordinarily fabulous!

How I Styled It?

I wasn't sure when I started out with today's 1, 2, 3 Styling; mixing patterns and prints is still not my forte, so I have a tendency to tread lightly and play it safely.  Two tried and true patterns (in the same color schemes, i.e. navy and white), pair well in this combination of classics.  I added the wedges (another classic silhouette) to the mix because of the repeated colors in the sweater and shorts.  The tan bag I used to anchor the outfit.  Ordinarily, yellow is the perfect complement to a navy and white, nautical inspired ensemble, but a yellow bag would have detracted from the visual appeal that the stripes and polka dots create!  SN