pattern mixing – the Spiff

Fashion, outfit planning, packing, pattern mixing, west town mall

Pack Like a Pro

April 29, 2015 2 Comments

t-shirt // patterned top // black dress // white blazer // jean jacket // floral pumps // black flats // nike’s // dark skinnies // boyfriend jeans // patterned pants // pink piko top // blue top

Four and a half years ago I started a job that required some travel. In those 4 1/2 years I’ve been schooled on how to pack well.

Last week when packing for a business trip to Indianapolis, I thought it might be a challenge since I’m still learning how to dress with a baby bump. But by making and following these tried and true rules, everything I packed was precisely what I needed…

1. Check the freakin’ weather.

I am amazed by the number of people I go on trips with who don’t check the weather of the city they’re traveling to. You can’t assume they’re having the same weather you are, and it really makes a difference in your comfort level while there. I checked and saw that Indianapolis was going to be waaaay cooler than it was here, so I was sure to pack jackets and a sweater for night time activities. And boy did it pay off – between the cooler temps and the craaaazy wind it was freezing. Check the freakin’ weather.

2. Go through your itinerary to know what you’ll need.

On most trips (even vacation-centered one’s) you have an idea of what you’ll be doing. Business trips especially are pretty planned out. So go through each event and decide what it is you’ll need to wear. If you’re not sure what the level of dress will be, shoot for somewhere in the middle of dressy and casual. This means packing items like blazers and dark jeans. That combination goes well in almost any situation. Something that also goes well is a little black dress. Pack your most versatile LBD (like the one pictured) so that you can wear it with pumps at night, then change to flats and a jean jacket for some sight seeing.

3. Pack items that will pull double duty.

For my trip to Indianapolis I had to dress for a nice reception and meetings during the day. For this I packed one pair of heels (I wear a size 10 so my shoes take up a good bit of room). And sure, the safest bet is to go with your black pumps, but I decided to go with a little more flair and packed my patterned pumps. They really jazzed up my striped dress in the evening and added great personality to my black and white pants (like the ones pictured) for meetings during the day (plus they’re some of my most comfortable heels). All of the other shoes I packed were both nice looking and comfortable so I could easily switch them around to different outfits (and comfortably meander downtown).

4. Remember to pack for down time.

One thing I’ve been working on for the past couple of trips is packing for down time. Simple, casual outfits you can wear after hours that are comfortable and appropriate for public viewing really come in handy and are sometimes easily forgotten. A t-shirt like the one pictured (which ironically says, “Nothing to Wear”) is a great way to go. So is the snakeskin patterned shirt that can also pull double duty under the white blazer.

5. Stick with simple colors or patterns for easy mixing.

Notice the only animal print I have up there is in the black and white blouse from Express. Every other pattern is something different. This makes it so that everything can be easily mixed and matched. At a quick glance, I counted 11 outfits that could be made out of the items above. Keep this in mind when packing, and be sure to lay everything out on your bed before packing it. This will allow you to see the big picture and be certain that you can pull multiple outfits together.

Also, try everything on before you pack it away. I know this adds to your to-do list, but it’s better to know that everything fits and looks well while you can still change it instead of in the hotel room when you’re stuck with what you’ve brought.

I hope this helps you with all your spring/summer trips. Conveniently, everything pictured (except the Nike’s) can be found at West Town Mall!

If you need more packing advice, I’ve given plenty. Click here, here, here, here or here (oh and here).

Fashion, pattern mixing

Floral & Polka Dot Pattern Mix

October 10, 2014 5 Comments

I own one floral tunic that gets pulled out every time I have a girly event to go to (i.e.: baby shower, high tea).

It’s because it’s the girliest thing I own. After I got married my husband helped me realize I was going to have to give up some of my menswear inspired looks – like the pair of suspenders I used to rock. Man, those were cute.

Now I can say that tunic isn’t the only girly piece I own. This floral top from TJMaxx can join the ranks.

I love it because it’s great for pattern mixing. This polka dot sweater from Target plays off the tiny floral pattern perfectly, particularly because the polka dots are about the same size as the floral but more spread out so together they’re not visually overwhelming.

The floral top was a spring/summer purchase, but see how I worked it into a fall look?! Nailed it. I mean…Girls, isn’t it lovely? *she giggles holding tea cup.

forever21, pattern mixing, reason to love winter, stripes, Why this works, winter

Why This Works

January 28, 2014 No Comments

Right about now, you’re probably over this cold weather.

And you’re probably growing weary of all your sweaters and boots, and can’t wait to slip back in a sun dress. I’m not with you at all.

I’m still basking in the fact that I don’t have to think about how tan I am, or paint my toes (I really hate doing that). I’m also very good with the fact that I haven’t seen a bug in a really long time, or that I’ve not walked outside and started sweating even though I just took a shower.

I’m still very cool with this whole winter thing. So I’m hoping this outfit break down will get you there as well.

Just think in a few months we’re not going to be able to cocoon ourselves in a cozy sweater like this one from Express.

That’s why I’m loving every minute in these long knit cardigans. I decided to pair it with a striped pencil skirt from Forever21.

Before I edited the outfit, I had started with a plain black shirt underneath. But on second look I thought how it needed something else. So I went back and added this slightly peplum top I got from American Eagle a couple years ago. It’s got just the right amount of flair at the bottom which makes it perfect for adding a leopard belt.

Now the outfit has more visual interest and just the right amount going on around my waste so as to not look boring.

This black and gold necklace from Aldo is just the right length for this neckline, and of course I’m going to add tights (another thing to love about this time of year) and my favorite favorite boots from Dillards. Oh ladies, I’ve talked myself into a winter-loving frenzy.

Just embrace this time of year and all the wrapping up in cute/comfortable clothes that comes with it!

necklace, pattern mixing, Why this works, winter

How I Built an Outfit Around a Necklace

January 20, 2014 No Comments

I love a good craving. I can go through long (30-year-spanning) bouts of indecisiveness. So when a craving pops up, I’m all about it. It’s an undeniable urge directing me towards one thing.

I’ll take it.

Lately I’ve had a craving for long swingy necklaces. I love how they make you feel sexy and carefree. Like you just threw it on (because you did) and yet it looks so polished.

This swingy necklace was the basis for this whole outfit and I’ll tell you how it came about…

Knowing I wanted to wear this visual masterpiece I first thought a blazer would be the obvious choice. But after I put the blazer on I realized it was going to hide the necklace too much and this thing of beauty was not meant to be hidden.

I didn’t want to wear it with just a simple sweater because it still needed some sort of background beyond just one color. That’s when I decided to go shopping and I found this number. The wide army green and black stripes are the perfect backdrop for the gold, and the sheerness of the blouse meant it would work well into spring (something I start to think about this time of year).

The fact that it was only $12 at JCP wasn’t hurting it either. I immediately knew I could always throw a scarf on over it or wear it with my leather jacket…two more ways to get use out of it and therefore solidifying my decision.

Now…the pants. I had a wedge pair of booties in mind to wear with it at first, but it turns out that pairing those with black jeans was going to be too much black. The blouse is darker and when paired with complete blackness below the waist, it brought the whole outfit down (in a depressing, I listened to heavy metal screaming on the way over, kind of way).

These skinny black trousers from Old Navy were a perfect fit especially when I paired them with my colored leopard heels (I love me a good pattern mix). It allowed a little skin to peak out but still kept all the attention on my necklace.

For the rest of my jewelry, I liked doing a black watch and then a pile of bracelets because it meant nothing got more attention than the necklace. A bold bracelet would have taken some of the spotlight.

You’ll see this outfit again on my next Style Setter blog. It’s all about five (new) ways to make sure you’re sale shopping successfully. So stay tuned!

And tune in tomorrow morning for The Spiff live on FOX! I’m talking all about buying the right work out clothes!

fall, fall fashion, pattern mixing, scarves

How to Pattern Mix With Scarves

October 15, 2013 No Comments

This has been a good year for scarves.

They were big all through the warmer months, and now that it’s their prime time they’re still showing up strong in all of the stores. And why not!? They’re comfortable, cute, warm and a great way to add a splash of color/pattern to any outfit.

Here are three examples of how I used them to pattern mix…

Stripes & Multi-Colored Stripes
When the weather finally wakes up and realizes it’s October, I’ll put the light scarves away, but until then thin ones like this are the perfect pattern echo and splash of color.

Stripes & Polka Dots
This is a fun way to mix patterns. Do it with both being black and white, or like this combo pairing purple with tan. It works best when one color is echoed in both patterns like the black dots ans stripes. Bust out of your comfort zone and give this pattern mash up a try.

Red & Leather
This isn’t a “pattern mix” per-say, but it is a good idea to add a dark red scarf like this to an all black outfit. And the leather jacket adds just the right kind of varied texture to the whole thing so that you don’t look like you’re going to rob a bank.