How to Successfully Mix Patterns

Are u scared of patterns? Naw, for real...go take a quick peek in your closet - I'll wait! Do you have Polka dots? Stripes? Checkers? Cheveron? Anything Tribal?

Ok, so now that you've identified those pieces have you ever thought about pairing them together? Alright, alright stay with me. It may seem like a stretch but I promise you can pull it off. Outside of just being confident there are a few tips to consider when mixing patterns. Take a look:

Digg it? Or Nah? Leave your comment below!

1) Mix patterns that share the same color schemes. I paired a navy blue and white stripped blazer with a navy blue and white printed button up.

2) Treat stripes like neutrals. For example, pair a stripped shirt with an animal print skirt.

3) Choose a dominant print and pair it with an accent print. In this case, floral and plaid.

4) Mix a neutral print with a bold colorful print.

5) Pair together the same print but in contrasting colors. For example a leopard print green blouse with a leopard print red pencil skirt.

Check back as I attempt to pull off each of these tips. You be the judge and let me know if you "Digg It" or "Nah"! Leave a comment, what do you think about this look? Would you mix these patterns?

Double Dipping

We all wish we could be like the celebs and never have to wear the same outfit or dress twice, right? But c'mon that's unrealistic, so one thing we should ALL simply do is keep it 100! However, I cannot tell a lie, I definitely catch myself slipping from time to time because I'm human damn it!

Perfect example, I started getting caught up in this delusional social media mentality. You know the one I'm talking about....not being able to wear the same thing twice when a picture is posted on Facebook or IG. I know you're smiling right now because you're guilty of it too!

I actually believed that I would be buying a new fit, each time I went out. Haha yeah right, that new daycare bill brought me right back to reality! I know it got bad when I brought my daughter to her grandparents house for a family function and my cheeks literally turned pink when I realized she had on the same onsie as the one she was wearing in a picture they had framed up on the wall! Let me put it like this, if Social Media were a drug, vanity would be its side effect!

So I have two choices: (1) Limit my social outings (yeah right, this social butterfly stays turnt - not going to happen!) (2) Figure out a way to rework the outfits I already have (At least until my blog blows up and I get rich, bitch! - sorry I couldn't help myself).

We all can do #2.  To pull this off successfully, we just have to keep in mind that each occasion is different so each time we should wear the pieces differently.  Check me out, the top pic is me going to a friend's going away party and the second pic is dinner and a movie with the hubby.

Simple & Chic

Casual & sassy

Your overall look plays a role too! I always feel a bit more spunky and sometimes quirky with my natural hair and grown and sexy with my wigs and extensions. I added the belt as an accessory to the second look adding a bit more character. I also opted to add leggings and wear wedged neutral booties instead of going matchy, matchy with purple pumps.

Outfit details: 

Dress Jessica Simpson 

Belt from Akira 

Purse from DSW

Tip: Buying Off the Rack

Celebrities aren't the only ones searching for exclusive outfits to wear to events. Three big moments for me: Prom, Ebony Ball and my 28th Birthday Party were fashion nightmares! I had an unwanted twin at each of these events. I laugh about it now, but in the moment I remember feeling like I lost my  puppy. Of course you shouldn't let it ruin your night or kill your vibe but after putting all that effort into stunting it can be heartbreaking.  So then, reality hits and you realize that department store you shopped in had about 8 of the same dresses on the rack and they came in 4 different colors!

If you read my last tip, remember I said follow your instincts when shopping. My instinct said "There are way too many of these dresses, somebody is bound to have it." What did I do? I bought the dress anyway and didn't follow my gut because the dress was just too cute! You can probably guess what happened that evening, somebody had the exact same dress but in a different color.

Now, I'm not saying don't buy the piece, I'm just saying know your event.  Try to gauge the type of people that will be there and the amout. I should've worn that dress to dinner with a small crowd or on a date with my husband.  I should NOT have worn it to an urban nightclub in Chicago because the chances of another girl wearing the same dress was much higher.

So, how do you ensure you don't get caught up rocking the same fit?  Let's look at it this way, men are way less likely to have this happen because they typically wear outfits made up of pieces. It's highly unlikely two guys will have on the exact same tie, with the same button down shirt, blazer and pants. The more pieces you incorporate into your look the harder it is to duplicate. There's  no need to do anything drastically different. You don't need to get a fit made, spend major mula at a boutique or even shop online you should just decide to piece together an outfit when going to a large event. 

Now, I know it's much easier to just wear a dress, but building an outfit does a couple things.  it allows you to incorporate your personality and personal touch.  It also gives you the freedom to shop at popular stores and not worry so much that someone will have the same outfit, unless of course you choose the outfit on the manikin, that's a no, no!

If, at the end of the day you still have a twin, don't let it ruin your night.  Take a picture with the person, joke about it, tell them they look good and keep it moving. If you're brave and know you looked good in it, post the pic and caption it "Who Wore It Best?" Really people, at the end of the day they're just clothes we're not curing world hunger lol.

Checkout the look I pieced together for New Years 2015. "Look me in my face, I ain't got no worries!"

Tip: There are 3 Sizes to Every Outfit

YOUR NORMAL SIZE: The size you naturally choose off the rack in any store
ONE SIZE UP: A size larger than your normal size
ONE SIZE DOWN: A size smaller than your normal size

For the most part we usually know what size we are and are probably 80% accurate when first choosing a blouse, dress, jacket or pants off the rack. But notice I said usually, because there are times when I stare blankly in the store's mirror for minutes, trying to figure out why this medium looks off or just isn't doing it for me.

Always remember depending on where you shop, a size can be different based on three things:
1) The store
2) The designer
3) The material

Your "normal" size should act as a guide. If I have the option of S/M/L, I always start with a medium, that's generally what works for me. The other day I went to Akira and tried on a super cute, medium jumpsuit, but I wasn't getting that "WOW" factor. Nonetheless, I still took it to the counter because the concept was cute and I had been searching for a jumpsuit for quite some time. When the lady at the counter started to ring me up I was reluctant to hand her my card, that was a sign (SN: follow your instinct when shopping).

I told her to hold on, I'd like to go back and try on a small.  She gladly went to the rack, grabbed one and put me in a dressing room.  The material had some spandex to it, so although normally I'm a medium the spandex should allow the jumper to fit the shape of my body with a small. Voilà! There it was! The small gave me that "wow" factor I was hoping for, the medium was just a bit saggy. You should have some sort of idea of how the article of clothing should fit your body. Some pieces are meant to be loose, while others are meant to fit you like a glove, and this jumper needed to be fitted.

Remember, spandex is made to stretch so you should probably go down a size to get the best look.  But, to avoid all the back and forth, if you're unsure just grab 3 sizes: one up, one down and your normal size.  Don't ever be ashamed either, no one looks at your tags! They don't know what size you're rocking but they will see how your clothes fit so pay extra attention to your presentation.

This time when I went up to the counter, I pulled that debit card out with absolutely no hesitation! I can't wait to rock this fit!

Royal Blue Jumper: Akira
Invisible Heel Yellow Pumps: Akira
Choker: Akira

Shop Your Closet

Before you run to the mall to grab an outfit for an occasion or because you're bored with the clothes in your closet, be sure to take inventory first. There are several reasons why it's good to identify what you have before you spend money on more clothes:

1) Avoid buying clothes similar to what you already have. It's crazy how many black dresses, black leggings and dark denim skinny jeans I've found in people's closets!

2) Know what you need before you go shopping. Identify and take pictures of incomplete outfits then jot down what type of item to purchase that will complete the look (i.e. belt, blazer, cardigan or accessories). This will ensure you don't get distracted while shopping and buy pieces that don't go with anything you have.

3) Uncover new outfits. Pair items you don't normally wear together then try them on. You may find three to five new outfits just by taking the time to try on pieces that weren't bought together.

4) Try on old clothes. Trends come in and out of style. Something that you may not have worn in three years may suddenly make a grand return. You also may find that a piece you didn't like before has suddenly grown on you and you finally decide it's time to rock. Or, you find that you can pair an old favorite with a new item in your collection.