At first it may go against everything in your nature. But one of the best ways to get more of your wardrobe into circulation is to pair opposites--opposite styles, opposite colors, opposite fabrics.
Opposite Styles: Dressy & Casual or High/Low
You have work/dress clothes, & you have weekend/play clothes--never the two shall meet? But do you have some work/dress clothes that are so dressy they're too much trouble to wear? Or you feel too conservative & dressed up in them? Pull out your t-shirts & jeans. See if you might match some dressier items with them.
You have work/dress clothes, & you have weekend/play clothes--never the two shall meet? But do you have some work/dress clothes that are so dressy they're too much trouble to wear? Or you feel too conservative & dressed up in them? Pull out your t-shirts & jeans. See if you might match some dressier items with them.
"Clothes mean nothing unless someone lives in them." |
Dressy jacket, jeans Suit, camo tee
 Outfit from Peruvian Connection: Miramar Baby Alpaca & Wool Jacket + Boyfriend Jeans We set up artificial boundaries for our clothes--work clothes, play clothes, dress clothes. Allow them to stray back and forth, and you'll find you have twice as many outfits. |  Image from J. Crew catalog Would you consider wearing a crisp white long-sleeve shirt with your leggings?  Image from J. Crew catalog |
Dressy skirt & t-shirt Dressy skirt & casual sweater
 Carbon Pawprint tee, Forever 21 skirt |  Garnet Hill Sequin Pencil Skirt and Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater |
Opposite Colors (maybe not opposite but unexpected): Deep Red + Icy Blue; Deep Purple + Green
We're used to pairing black with its polar opposite white. But don't stop there: try other unlikely mates.
Deep red & icy blue:
Boden sweater, H&M cords
Click on the photo above for more examples of cranberries & icy blue paired together.
Deep purple & green
 |  H&M top, New York & Co. pants |
Opposite Fabrics: Thick & Thin
You've been struggling for ages to pair the fabrics just right--a silky blouse with a silky jacquard skirt, for example.
This matchmaking is hard work and may result in just one outfit. So why not try a wool sweater with a lace or tulle skirt? A silk blouse with a tweed or corduroy skirt? Who knew they'd get along so well?
You've been struggling for ages to pair the fabrics just right--a silky blouse with a silky jacquard skirt, for example.
This matchmaking is hard work and may result in just one outfit. So why not try a wool sweater with a lace or tulle skirt? A silk blouse with a tweed or corduroy skirt? Who knew they'd get along so well?
Wool sweaters, lace & tulle skirts
 GAP sweater, Forever 21 skirt |  Image from Garnet Hill |
| |  Anthropologie sweater, J. Crew skirt |
Velvet skirt, summer blouse Tweed skirt; silky, lacy blouse
 Boden top, Garnet Hill skirt |  H&M top, Piperlime skirt |
What do you think? Do the combos work?
Let's help each other get more of our clothes into action. Please share other styles we might mix, color combinations we should try, fabrics we might pair together.
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