Mixing Prints 101

Mixing Prints 101

Happy Monday everyone!  If you’re like me, I’m sure your coffee will be twice as large today because of daylight savings taking away a precious hour of sleep.  I could really go for another one of these Americanos from Tip of the Tongue right now.  And a donut.   Mmmmmm.  Sorry, what was I saying?  Oh, yes, now I remember.  I’m constantly thinking of ways to take my outfits to the next level to get the most out of existing pieces in my wardrobe.  Two of my favorite things to do style-wise to maximize my wardrobe are layering and mixing prints.

The weather in NYC has been incredibly unpredictable lately so layers have been a must for me. I had a lunch date with my boo earlier in the day and it was a little chilly out but I didn’t want to wear any of my jackets with the fear that it might warm up too much and I’d be stuck carrying a jacket around all day.  The struggle is real!  The plaid shirt was also the perfect way to cover up my white tee while I ate my tomato soup at lunch.  I spill things on myself all the time (thank goodness for Tide To Go pens) but it seems to be even worse whenever I wear white.  Maybe that’s why I wear black all the time – to cover up stains so I don’t look like a total slob on a daily basis.  But I digress.  This plaid shirt is a little bit on the heavier side so I layer it over tees and tanks but it’s also heavy enough to be worn solo.  I decided to pair my plaid shirt with my favorite leopard pumps to dress my outfit up a little bit for my date and to add a little sass to my look.

This white tee is everything. What makes it so special is the quality and the fit.  They’ll set you back about $20 per shirt but to me they’re well worth the price.  Express really hit a home run with these tops because they’re perfect for layering or wearing by themselves.  And when I like something, I buy it in every color.  I have both the long sleeve and 3/4 sleeve versions of this top in white, black, grey, and olive.  I try to snag them whenever I can because they do sell out fast and you can never have too many plain tees in my opinion.  You can get that perfect “messy” tuck but it also looks great untucked.  These shirts aren’t fitted though so if that’s more your thing, this isn’t the shirt for you.  I’m wearing an XS and you can see how loose it is on me.

Have you ever bought jeans from Forever 21??  If you haven’t, you should!  Their jeans are amazing, especially for us shorter gals (I’m only 5’2″).  Their jeans come with a 29″ inseam which hits perfectly at the ankle for me and they’re usually less than $20 (some styles are a little pricier than others but never more than $30).  The quality and fit are great for the price too and they come in a variety of styles and colors.  These are their skinny jeans but I also have purchased ripped boyfriend jeans and jeggings from them too and they’re great.

Accessorizing the Mixed Prints

There’s something about a lariat necklace with a v-neck tee or a button up shirt that I just love so I couldn’t resist wearing mine with this outfit.  And it never hurts to add a little sparkle to your look.  I also found this leather bracelet in one of my jewelry bags the other day and felt like wearing it to add some edge.  I had a lot of errands to run that day so my tote was really helpful for carrying my espadrilles in case I wanted to change my shoes (but why would I want to because they’re so awesome) and a few snacks to keep me from going to Insomnia Cookies…gotta be right for my Miami trip in two weeks!

May your eyeliner be even, your coffee be strong, and your Monday be short!

xoxo, CCB

Photography: Kristin Tully

Outfit Details: Forever 21 plaid shirt (old but similar here), Express “One Eleven” top (here), Forever 21 skinny jeans (here), Kurt Geiger “Britton” leopard pumps (currently sold out), Givenchy “Nightingale” tote (old), and Celine sunglasses