Today's style challenge was submitted via email by Elizabeth:
....Now I have a style challenge of my own, how to wear scarves and shawls when ones wardrobe consists entirely of prints with out looking like a clown? Do you match the colors or the patterns? It's easy to wear scarves with solid colors but patterns really present me with a challenge. So short of getting rid of my wardrobe I would love to see some ideas from my favorite fashion icon.
In general, I would strive for acord between the different elements of an outfit, it could be between the scarf and printed top, but there are other possibilities too, if the scarf matches another accessory for example. There are many ways to explore, and so there will be more posts on this subject to come.
Today it has been summery and warm, so I wore my new printed tunic top. For the scarf, I was looking for something which would be as much as possible in accord with the top, color and pattern wise. A 70 Tours de Clès seemed a good match.. the ornate keys and swirling cords of the corners looked in perfect harmony with the top.
However, the scarf's middle section consists of strong colours and a graphic pattern, and therefor needed counterbalancing... my red coral jeans provided just the right impact to tie this look together.
Capsule pieces: coral jeans and printed tunic
Shoes: suede sandals
Accessories: MaiTai collection horn bracelet in mushroom, Hermès Farandole necklace and Picotin in etoupe
Scarf: Hermès ‘Tours de clès’ 70 Carré in a criss-cross bow knot, using a MT Collection horn scarf ring in moyenne honey For a how-to, please click here
Many thanks for the great challenge (and lovely compliment), dear Elizabeth!
Coming next: part two and three
Coming next: part two and three
Just lovely, dearest!
ReplyDeleteSo fresh and summery! You are the best style teacher I could ever wish!<3 Sending you sunny hug, Manuela
Thank you, my dear sweet Manuela <3 Sending you sunny springtime hugs right back x
DeleteThank you for this interesting post and your very modern interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI often mix patterns but have always made sure that at least one dominant colour of top and scarf matches. I never thought of matching the skirt or trousers, so thank you again. The possibilities are endless... :)
Have a lovely w/end, hope you have balmy weather, too.
As usual, the style challenges are the best inspiration, they make me think outside my box. The weather here is turning from cold to scorching, so we'll be heading from the fireplace to the pool this w/end. The roses are beautiful though, hope they'll last through the heat. Enjoy the lovely spring weekend!
DeleteWow what a great combo?
ReplyDeleteStyle never goes out of fashion it is what you do all the time
Tres chic
Thanks so much, jj4108 :)
DeleteThis is genial - I love how the patterns work together and wouldn't think of this myself. The way, the scarf ties into the color of your jeans is fantastic. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteMaedi
Without the challenge, I would not have thought of it myself too, dear Maedi! Alles Liebe, and wishing you a happy weekend.
DeleteMai Tai!
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful! Thank you for showing us how elegant pattern on pattern can be!
xo, sam
Merci, my dear Sam. I enjoyed the combo, and am thankful to all readers who requested a post on this topic x
DeleteSo nice to see your pattern-play. Love it!
ReplyDeleteMarla in the OC
This coming from the queen of pattern play means a lot! Thank you, my dear Marla <3
DeleteWow! You did an amazing job. Very inspiring. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Happy you enjoyed, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time I leave a message here, but I always look foward your posts.
ReplyDeleteI fell at first glance your navy/tomato orange style! So modern and elegant... Thank you for the inspiration!
A warm welcome to you, it is always lovely to see a new face here. Thank you also for the kind comment!
DeleteDear MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteit really works! A very lovely combination. Good job!
Greenpinkorange
Merci, Greenpinkorange!
DeleteA difficult challenge beautifully executed! I love this carre on you - looks fab with the coral jeans x
ReplyDeleteAwh, thank you my dear! I truly enjoyed the challenge, so there will be more to come. Have a great w/e!
DeleteFrom you, I've learned that I can coordinate scarf to pants, solids being very easy to do, but to throw such an intricate pattern into the mix is genius. Does it work because the pattern is small with much detail, or would a larger pattern work as well. I think the larger pattern, such as geometric would fight with the scarf? This is very interesting to me, dear. I must study it some more. Please add a few more prints in the future, in hopes that I might catch onto this creative idea of yours. BTW, does anything ever look bad on you, MaiTai? ;-) (I don't think so). Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteOrange hugs, dear
CS
It's always so lovely to see you, my dear CS! Many thanks for the additional question and thoughts on this topic. Like Scarf Enthusiast said so well, the key is to find a common thread that ties it all together. If it was a a top with a larger pattern for example, I would combine with a graphic design scarf (such as Circuit au 24, Quadrige, Puzzle II), that picks up on one of the color of the patterned top. I am intruiged by this subject too, and so there will be more posts to follow! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend x
DeleteLove this look and love the coloured jeans. Is Hermes doing a diamond jubilee scarf?
ReplyDeletePlease use any images of the lovely scarf rings you sent that I've posted on my blog on your blog- I love them so much! I live in fear I'll lose one xx
So happy you enjoy the scarf rings! Many thanks for the permission, blowing a big bisou your way. Great question re the jubilee scarf. In 1977 'Dieu et mon Droit' was re-issued as a special edition for the silver jubilee, and I very much hope there will be one for her diamond jubilee too. Will keep you posted if I hear anything x
DeleteDear Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteThis outfit looks very nice..
May I ask a question, please. What lenghts is the Farandole Silver Chain on that photo? Is it about the same length as the one you are wearing on the black business outfit or is it shorter ?
Many thanks for your reply and kindest regards,
Kyralina
Thank you, Kyralina. The Farandole is 120 cm long, and it's the same one in all pictures on this blog :)
DeleteAmazing. Your talent knows no bounds.
ReplyDeletejac
Thank you jac, you are too kind.
DeleteOnly you, my dearest MaiTai, can marry prints together so artfully and have live happily ever after - such an eye-opening combination. As you said, there are so many possibilities, but no matter what the selection of ingredients, you always masterfully find the thread that ties it all together to bring out the best, and create such beautiful ensembles of truly extraordinary imagination.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a most wonderful weekend. With much appreciation, lots of love and big big hugs xox
My dearest Scarf Enthusiast, you've said it again so very well, finding the thread that ties is all together is so much to the point. Wish I had your talent for words, my dear friend! Hope you are enjoying a most wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Much love to you <3
DeleteI can tell you had fun putting this outfit together. Its so fresh and summery thanks to the coloured jeans. Also must say that the neutral accessories are the perfect balance to the look. Perfecto!
ReplyDeleteA belated but heartfelt thank you for the lovely comment, my dear A! Hope all is well, thinking of you <3
ReplyDelete