Mixing Patterns and Colors

Two random anidicdotes to start today’s post.  First, my earliest memory of learning how to match clothes is in my childhood bedroom where my Mom was showing me a denim skirt I had with embroidered flowers in pink, purple, and green.  She told me that when I wore that skirt, a good way to match would be to pick a shirt that was one of those colors.  Why that stuck with my so hard, I am not sure but it definitely has.  And the second is something I tell the team that works for me all the time – there is a time and a place to break the rules but first you need to know all of the rules and then you can choose the time and the place to break them.   

Why do I share these two quips?  Well, for most people leopard and stripes are contrasting patterns and should not go together as both bold patterns but I really like how this look came out.  I actually think the piece that brings it all together though is the leather jacket.  I bought this jacket on whim a few years ago and it has become one of my all time favorite layering pieces and I actually did a whole posted devoted to it when it arrived (which you can find here).  Take a look: 

Jacket | cupcakes and cashmere Caitlyn Vegan Leather Jacket    Dress | Gap Stripe modern tee boatneck dres

Sunglasses | Le Specs Liar Liar Sunglasses   Scarf | Red Wool Cashmere Wrap

Tights | Very Black Sheer Tights  Booties |  Bridget Mod Booties in Leopard 

What do you think of this look with its mixing patterns and colors?