Unconventional Approach to Mixing Patterns

Hi All! I am feeling rather deceptive posting a summery dress while it’s raining outside. I swear the weather was +20 degrees two days ago. This is a re-mix outfit from my post is July. I’ve added a peter pan collar necklace, leopard print cardigan and floppy hat. I’ve always wanted one of these floppy hats but frankly, didn’t think I could pull it off. I always envision the models from Free People magazines wearing them with their beautiful long mermaid hair streaming out. Alas, I traded  some old clothes at Freestyle and picked up this hat for the credit. I am taking a liking to it. This cardigan has been with me for many years. Just a cheapy find from Forever21. I think all 8 of my college room mates took a turn wearing it out for a night on the town. It’s definitely been around the block a time or two. If you are looking to add a fun detachable collar to adorn a shirt or dress check out this, this and this.

I asked my boyfriend to photograph this outfit for me. Before we did, he asked why I chose to mix an umbrella pattern with leopard print. I really didn’t have any answers. Sometimes putting together a decent outfit has no logic. When I am throwing on outfits in the morning it’s purely all based on intuition. The combination could work out perfectly or crash miserably. Most times I just hope for the best and go with my gut.

What do you guys think of mixing patterns? Are there any pattern matching no-no’s?