color

This Week I Love …

by Sal on April 25, 2012 · 39 comments

… printed pants.

I can’t quite believe I’m loving ANY pants. After years of just loathing them and feeling insecure and awful in them, I’ve finally found a few pairs that look marvelous and feel fab. And many of those pairs are printed, which is even MORE surprising. I first saw printed pants emerge a couple of years ago, and immediately started scouring my thrift stores. Sure enough, printed pants abounded, but not in the slim styles and contemporary prints I was craving. Luckily, the shops are lousy with ‘em:

7 for All Mankind Garden Party – $189

There are two reasons I will likely never own these: They’re low-rise, and they’re really expensive. But holy moly, do I ever want to crawl inside that print and LIVE. Teal and magenta mixed with a soft, subtle olive make for an energetic yet versatile print. Maybe I could get over the low rise thing …

ASOS Cropped Pants in Paisley Print – $72.72

If you’re looking for a summer-specific pair, these crops are a great bet. They’re 100% cotton, and feature a bright, white background that makes them ideal for hot-weather ensembles.

DKNY Floral Slim Pants – $225

Oh, the lust I feel for these pants. Doesn’t that print look awfully Marimekko to you? That’s why I love it, of course. Well, and the fact that the print includes red, white, and blue yet doesn’t scream “Fourth of July.” A splurge to be sure, but oh so lovely.

Tripp NYC Tartan Skinny Pants – $27.27

If florals and paisley make you cringe, there are plenty of other options, including bold plaids. This pair comes in red, blue, and this vibrant yellow, and can be easily punked up (as shown) or taken in a preppy direction.

Warehouse Circle Printed Pants - $72.72

If bright colors and skinny leg styles aren’t your scene, consider these flowy, neutral widelegs. These have a mid-rise, unlike many of the available options, and a casual self-tie. They’re a little on the beachy side, but with the right sweater or tunic, could be dressed up for the office.

My feeling is that printed pants will look chic and contemporary in modern, exaggerated silhouettes – mainly skinny, but also superwide – and paired with sleek tops in solid colors or complementary prints. I’m a fan of prints that include a black background, but white and brights can work, too, so long as the print isn’t too traditional or twee. Crops will likely look best at ankle or clamdigger length, and in slimmer silhouettes minus any pleating.

Also I realize in retrospect that some of those printed pairs I found in my thrift haunts could’ve been altered to skinny legs and fitting waistlines. And probably for less than virtually all of the pairs listed here! Another route to consider, if you like the look but are on a tight budget.

What are your thoughts on printed pants? Will you try this trend?

(Top photo is of a pair from Talbots that I own. Similar style here.)

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Print Mixing for Beginners

by Sal on April 11, 2012 · 21 comments

I admired the look of print mixing for AGES before I finally felt comfortable enough to give it a whirl myself. And I’m still a total novice, and I still play it safe, and I still believe that this post from Unusual Form is just about the perfect primer for aspiring print mixers. But since I’m still a beginner myself, I thought I’d share a few simple tips for those of you who feel curious but unsure. Most of these are far less daring than the three-plus mixes that some folks concoct, which may make them feel tame … but hopefully will also make them feel do-able!

Separate prints with solids

This outfit includes a big geometric print in the scarf, a varied houndstooth in the skirt, and snakeskin on the pumps. All three prints are broken up by big swaths of solid black, so they just barely interact. It may be a bit warm for tights just now, but this outfit would also work with bare legs. Try incorporating several patterns, but separate them with solids.

Add a printed bag/accessory

Don’t feel comfortable doing multiple printed garments in a single outfit, but still inclined to dabble? Add a print bag to an outfit that includes printed clothing. Such an easy shortcut to print mixing!

Combine prints with shared colors

As you move into mixing printed garments, it helps to remember that they often work best if they’ve got at least one element in mind. Color is an easy one, and prints that share colors often mix well.  Here, the stripes in the jacket share a pale blue with the delicate floral of the tunic.

Try stripes with florals

Of course, the print mix I use most is one that combines prints that have very little in common! Stripes work well in many print mixes because they read as neutral to most observing eyes. Pairing them with organic, flowy florals works beautifully, more often than not.

Mix two versions of identical prints

This technique requires you to have to identical – or near-identical – printed garments that can also be worn together. (You may have two pairs of polka-dot pants in two different colorways, but you’d be hard pressed to wear them together!) But when it can be done, it looks amazing. Dots, stripes, and other regular geometrics are often easiest to track down in identical prints but different colors.

Let Desigual do the work for you

And if none of those appeal, just track down a Desigual dress that features a perfect mix of prints, and call it a day!

How do you feel about mixed prints? Is your eye still adjusting? Like the look on others, but not sure it’d suit you? Already mixing like a madwoman? Would any of these beginner techniques work for you?

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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How to Create Color Mixes in Your Outfits

by Sal on March 29, 2012 · 16 comments

When I was first told that black and white should only ever be paired with each other, with gray, or with brown, I balked. Talk about a seriously constraining little guideline! And I still don’t totally buy it: Both black and white can look amazing with cool brights, patterns, and in carefully-crafted color mixes. But over the years, I’ve found myself gravitating toward color-on-color mixes and keeping the neutrals mainly to themselves.

Since mixing colors and creating color-free outfits can feel incredibly daunting, I thought I’d share a few tips for finding successful color mixes.

USE A PATTERN TO GET STARTED

 The easiest way to create great color mixes is to call in an expert: A patterned garment. You can generally trust textile and clothing designers to group colors that work well together, so if you use a patterned item as your starting point and draw in other solid pieces based on the pattern’s colors, you’ll generally end up with a unified mix. If you look very closely at the photo above, you’ll see that the teal star-blobs are outlined in maroon. So I grabbed my maroon sweater coat and ponte pants, and a bold mix was born.

RELY ON COLOR FAMILIES

Many of the colorful mixes we see these days seem bold and fresh, but are really relying on the traditional families of shades: Jewel tones, primaries, pastels, earth tones. Naturally, these groupings encompass a huge number of colors and some pairings will look horrendous. But, generally speaking, throwing three earth tones or three pastels into an outfit will work. Tossing a neutral in there can create balance if things feel too thematic or over-saturated.

TAKE NOTE OF SATURATION

Mixing colors with varied saturation levels can look utterly amazing, but it’s pretty challenging to do. If the colors within an outfit are all muted, all neon, all dark, all bright, all share a saturation-related characteristic, they’ll make sense. Here, my bag, blazer, and blouse are all cool and bright. Swap the kelly green blazer for an olive green one, and you’ll get a completely different look – not bad or wrong, just different. This mixing technique is another that frequently benefits from a neutral – and here, I added black jeans.

GO MONOCHROME

I feel like monochrome outfits get a bad rep, but they can look incredibly sophisticated. In my opinion, the key is to choose two shades that are fairly close in brightness and value, and a third that’s markedly different. And, again, adding a neutral or bridging patterned garment or accessory helps.

What are your thoughts on grouping colors within an outfit? Is it a technique you implement within your own style? If so, do you or would you utilize any of these tips?

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on March 28, 2012 · 30 comments

… bright bags.

For years I carried the same black leather handbag every day. I still have it, and it’s still my staple black bag. But the more I explore the outfit-completing properties of handbags, the more I find myself drawn to bright, punchy colors. Like these:

My neutral bags get loads of use, too, but there’s something fun and funky about throwing a bright bag into the mix.

What about you? Do you stick to neutral handbags, or do you have a few bold, bright ones that work their way into the mix, too?

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on February 16, 2012 · 24 comments

… all things purple.

The purple family of colors encompasses so many of my favorite shades: Orchid, royal, lavender, dusty, and more. I have often declared that red is my favorite color, and it IS … but it appears that I actually own far more purple items than I do red! It’s a versatile family of shades that plays beautifully with many other colors, and I’m just digging it these days.

Here are a few purple items that I’m lusting after as we speak:

Dana LeBlanc Julie necklace – $68

I have three of Dana’s necklaces – all of them in this chunky three-strand style – and I continually lust after more. They walk that fine line between “statement” and “ladylike” so perfectly, and this marled purple Julie necklace has been on my wishlist for months.

Athleta Hawi Hoodie Dress – $29.99

I wear my little collection of Athleta dresses constantly, and have been eyeing many of the new styles since fall. The hemline on this little number might do horrible things to my proportions, but I can’t  help myself. I want it. The surplice neckline, cozy hood, and gorgeous orchid shade conspire to eclipse all reason. (Also available in plus sizes!)

French Sole Ballet Flat – $55

Gorgeous, no? Such a rich shade of purple suede you just about want to eat it. The rose detail at the toe is so elegant, and FS/NY flats are known for their great quality.

Gap 1969 Midweight Legging Jeans – $69.95

What? I would TOTALLY rock these, and so would you. I’ve got a couple of pairs of Gap legging jeans and just adore them. Finding it hard to resist this vibrant purple pair …

Dichroic glass studs – $9

I’ve become a huge fan of dichroic glass stud earrings since cutting my hair. They’re subtle and classy, but glow beautifully in light which makes them seem a bit ethereal and extremely cool. I own a pair from White Sands Glass that I adore, and this rich purple pair looks just lovely.

Fossil Modern Cargo Convertible Flap – $158

I love that this versatile bag is done up in such a sumptuous shade of purple. The structured style and vibrant color give it a marvelous combination of sophistication and cheek.

Liz Claiborne New York Pleated Skirt – $23.18

This skirt might be a bit lightweight to wear in the middle of February, but land sakes, it is ADORABLE. This flared, box-pleated style of skirt is my absolute favorite in the world: It’s marvelously flattering on the waist and such a joy to wear. Plus this version has pockets. Available in US size 2 – 28.

Do you believe in the power of purple? What’s your favorite shade? Any of these pieces tickle your fancy?

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Already Prettypoll: Unusual Inspirations

by Sal on February 10, 2012 · 18 comments

Most of my dressing inspiration comes from pretty traditional sources: Magazines, catalogs, blogs. But since I’m such a color fiend, I am constantly looking beyond the world of fashion for color pairing ideas. Graphics, packaging, wild birds, existing fabrics and wallpapers, and decor have all sparked color combo or outfit ideas for me at one time or another.

Do you have any unusual sources of dressing inspiration? Nature? History? Specific periods of art? Do tell! And share any links you’ve got so we can see your sources!

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How to Wear Colors that Make You Look Ill

by Sal on November 7, 2011 · 40 comments

Allow me a moment to lament the loss of warm weather. (SIGH.) OK, moving on …

As a self-appointed Champion of Color, I feel it is my duty to encourage everyone to wear more color. Strangers on the street! Tiny children! Farm animals! You should all be wearing more color, dammit. No, I don’t have to look at you to know it. I can just tell.

Yet, I’m well aware that neutrals feel safe and eternally chic. And, perhaps more importantly, that certain colors make certain people look peaked. Poorly. Washed-out. Just plain awful. And while I believe that sometimes one should wear a bright, happy, invigorating shade despite its potential complexion-ruining properties, I also understand that most of us prefer to look healthy and glowing most days.

So, here are my tips for wearing colors that wear you. Nothing earth-shattering here, but it’s nice to have all the tricks in one place!

Wear it on your bottom half

So, the dusty rose color of my marvelous tulle skirt up there? There’s a specific reason it’s being worn on the lower half of my bod. Boy, does it ever make me look like a flu victim when it’s up next to my face. Drains the color from my skin, dulls my eyes and hair, sucks all the sparkle out of my complexion. But my legs suffer less, as you can see. They’re just as pale and pinky as always.

Now, if it’s bright red or neon yellow that messes with your complexion, you may feel like wearing such blaring brights on your bottom half will draw attention to your hips and butt and legs. True, true. And if you’re self-conscious about those body parts, that may feel risky. You can certainly mitigate the effect by doing a long cardigan or blazer when wearing bright bottoms, but if that doesn’t appeal, fear not. There are plenty of other ways to get your neon on.

Wear it in a pattern

This might be the least satisfying of your options, but it’s still worth mentioning. If you love yellow and long to wear big swaths of it, try a different trick than this one. But if a little dab will do ya, pattern is a fabulous way to work tricky colors into daily wear. You can even pick patterns in which the offending shade is dominant. The presence of other tones and the movement provided by graphic patterns will help soften the impact.

Try tights

As is the case with bottoms, some unflattering colors make for real attention-grabbers when worn on your lower half. You may balk at the idea of wearing hot pink, bright white, or vibrant teal tights. But if it’s navy, gray, or black that fights your natural coloring, picking those colors up in hosiery can feel more easy and natural.

Place something between your face and the offending color

Most of us don’t worry quite as much about how colors play on our breastbones or wrists. The main concern is the face itself, and getting a more flattering color or distracting texture between your visage and the color that messes with it can help. The most obvious choice is a scarf, of course, but a cardigan, shawl, or blazer can do the job almost as well. Even a fairly heavy necklace can work wonders. Ideally, it should be a contrasting colored necklace, but even a metal that works with your skin tone will soften the effects of the unflatteringly colored top.

Wear it in accessories or shoes

Belts and sashes in bright or tricky colors can add punch to your outfits, as can incorporating colorful footwear. Handbags are an absolute natural, too, since you seldom press your purse against your face. (Or if you do feel the need for a purse-nuzzle, you don’t do it ALL DAY LONG.) Bangles and rings can work, too, although earrings, scarves, and necklaces in colors that fight your complexion can be far trickier.

Related posts:

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to bring colors into your life. If wearing green makes you look green, you could buy a green car. If white makes you look like you’ve just seen a ghost, paint your walls white. If red makes you look ruddy, you can always invest in a red rug or bedspread. But if your desire is to don a color that makes mayhem with your natural facial tones, some of these suggestions may help make that possible.

Any other suggestions for wearing colors that don’t work with your complexion? Do you already employ any of these tricks? What’s your absolute worst color? Do you love it and long to wear it?

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How to Be Intentional with White

by Sal on September 9, 2011 · 37 comments

White, like black, is considered by many to be a tone that “goes with everything.” But in my humble opinion, neither white nor black goes with everything! And just as you should consider how you deploy black in your outfits, it will help your style seem more refined and sophisticated if you learn to utilize white not as a fallback plan, but as an active color.

Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with this:

Using a white top, tank, or tee as the neutral underlayer. Most often, I see a white top with a solid colored cardigan and black slacks. Nothing is clashing when those pieces are worn together, but nothing is unified either. The outer layer, inner layer, and bottom layer all seem completely separate, nothing tying them together. So here are a few alternatives. As you’ll see, they’re mostly pattern-related!

SOLID WHITE WITH A PATTERN THAT INCLUDES WHITE

Here is a colorful cardigan, white top, and dark bottom worn together … but they twist on the formula is that magical scarf. It’s got both warm yellows and cool white in its pattern, so it creates unity among the otherwise disparate pieces.

In this variation, it’s the skirt itself that has a bit of white in it, helping tie the entire ensemble together. Either way, making sure to include a garment or accessory that has white in its pattern will make any solid white piece seem like a natural participant in the outfit.

WHITE AS AN ACCENT

White most often appears in shirt form, but it CAN be worn in other ways. No, really, it can. Here I am again relying on a pattern that includes white – or in this case, ivory – to provide unity. But my additional white item is my boots – unexpected, fresh, and fun. White doesn’t have to be a platform, it can be an accent, too!

WHITE AS THE BASE COLOR

White skirts, pants, jeans, and shorts have been trendy for a couple of years now, and creating an all-white base for an outfit is a wonderful way to be intentional with your whites. If the white out look is too much for ya, add a colorful vest, blazer, or scarf.

If you’re a stickler for old-fashioned style rules, this suggestion may seem wildly inappropriate for fall. (No white shoes or bottoms after Labor Day, and all that.) I believe those guidelines are loosening, but if you still abide them just stash this nugget away until Memorial Day!

WHITE IN AN ALL-NEUTRAL MIX

Despite my preference that it be treated as a color, white is, in fact, a neutral. And that means that it will play nicely with most other neutrals. If you’re working with a cool white – a true, bright white with blue undertones – it’s best to stick to like neutrals such as black, cool grays, and cool khakis. Creams and ivories work well with browns and warm grays, and occasionally with black. All-neutral mixes tend to look chic and intentional, a definite plus.

The more I experiment with and explore my personal style, the more I learn that virtually nothing “goes with everything.” The only exception that comes to mind is denim, but more so for social than aesthetic reasons: Decades ago, we all agreed that blue denim was completely neutral, and we’re all still cool with that even though blue isn’t even REMOTELY neutral. True neutrals like black, gray, and our friend white can also certainly be paired with color and treated as non-entities, but I’ve found that outfits really work, shine, and sing when we’re as intentional as possible with our neutrals.

Do you wear much white? Do you do the colorful cardi, white tee, black pant combo a lot? Do these techniques appeal? Any other suggestions for being intentional with white?

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