Mix it up!!! — v i c k i h a l l

I've never professed to be an expert in fashion. I love fashion and accessories and how it all comes together to make you look and feel fab. From a very young age I used to adore picking out my own clothes and would drool over the delicious selections my awesome sister-in-law's would buy me for Christmas and birthday's, most were from Sears with a little Thrifty's Jeans thrown in for good measure. I still have the photo of me in my first pair of denim overalls proudly pointing out the "Lee" logo for the camera while my sister stuff her hand down her back pocket and tush towards the lens to highlight her Levi's logo. Good times. So it feels very natural to me when I see someone wearing something incredible on the street. I've yet to muster up the courage to ask to snap a quick pic for my Instagram (@glimmerlife) but that could be coming soon. Glimmer goes rogue...coming soon. ;)

Last week my morning dog walk took me away from my usual route and instead I strolled through Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Upon my exit I spied the most incredibly dressed woman. She had a tiny check shirt and patterned full skirt on - not all that different from the photo above. She looked awesome and it made me start thinking about mixing pattern. I don't do myself...but could I? I love mixing denim and feel I've mastered it...so why not try pattern? There's a few tricks to follow for successfully pulling off a double pattern look. Follow them and you're sure to look as georg as cemetery lady!

The simplest way to start mixing pattern is to go with with strips first. Strips go with anything as long as you're using the same colour. Note above the red stripes compliment the red floral in her skirt.

Stripes and polka dots look super cute together. Note that the strip is navy (white background) and the dominant colour in the skirt is also navy.

Here is a great example of combing a large floral print with a smaller scale stripe. This skirt would also look great with a small gingham check shirt in blue. If you have a shirt with a wide strip make sure you balance your bottom with a smaller scale pattern or floral. Also ensure your top and bottom is in the same tone of colours.

This is a very nice example of gingham on the bottom and a floral on the top. Both pattern are delicate, but the floral is large enough to make the look work.

Lastly...leopard print goes with absolutely everything! Well at least this leopard clutch does! Want it...badly!