The Fab 40s are Pattern Mixing

The Fab 40s is a group of five stylish fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger also in their forties to join us. This groups goal is to take on style trends and show how we each interpret and incorporate them into our own lives. With six widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after 40.

This month it was my turn to select the theme and invite a guest blogger to join us for The Fab 40s. I thought it would be fun for us to share our pattern mixing style, and was pretty surprised this is something we havent officially tackled in all these years. Some of us do pattern mixing on the regular, and I found out I pushed a couple of people to stretch outside their comfort zone. Haha we tend to do that pretty often around here!

One thing I have found to be the most important element of pattern mixing is to have confidence in your choices and own it. Do that and no matter how out of the ordinary it might appear, you will rock it and people will notice and even compliment your choices. I can remember the first time I tried a very minor pattern mix I felt self-conscious and Im afraid thats what I conveyed more than anything else. I didnt give up after that first attempt and over time became more confident and then began going bolder with my choices. Yall know I Love to pattern mix now and enjoy finding new ways to mix it up. For todays look I embraced a total of five patterns stripes, dots, plaid, floral, and leopard. While it may be a lot, I love how they all work together!

Fonda Savvy Southern Chic

I am so happy to have my 9 to 5 Style partner-in-crime, Fonda of Savvy Southern Chic, join us as this months guest blogger! She and I are both usually showing off our professional style, so I just loved seeing her in this positively adorable casual look. The mix of gingham, plaid, and a double helping of faux fur is fantastic!

Daenel Living Outside the Stacks

Daenel has her quirky librarian style down to a tee and I am down for it. Her cropped window pane pants look so good with the small floral print top and show off those shiny oxfords wonderfully. Ive told yall before she has the best Mary Janes, but she also wears some oxfords like nobodys business. If you are just dipping your toes into pattern mixing, take a cue from Daenel and add a solid over one of the patterns to tone it down a bit.

Dee DeeSayz

Dee was a little nervous about trying pattern mixing, but you would certainly never know it by the way she knocked it out of the park. Just look at that bold topper and stripes! She took a basic tee and jeans look to beyond the next level by adding this multi-pattern completer piece.

Sheela Sheela Writes

I knew Sheela would embrace this months theme with just as much enthusiasm as my own. I am such a fan of this bright eye-catching skirt and how amazing it looks with the floral and plaid shirt. The bold reds are gorgeous against the otherwise neutral colors and that jacket adds an unexpected layer to this already gorgeous look!

Shelbee Shelbee on the Edge

Shelbee is giving me all kinds of modern day Lucy Ricardo vibes. I could totally see Lucy rockin some leopard with her polka dots and she was all about a fur coat. I will have to admit I probably would not have thought to style leopard print with red, white, and blue, but I really like how the little touches from her finger tips to the top of her head add an element of surprise and sophistication.

Suzy Suzy Turner

Suzy shared she had a little difficulty with this months theme, too, mostly because she has very little pattern in her wardrobe. I was right there with her on that front a few years ago, but you would never know that now. Since leopard and camo are both considered neutrals, Suzy shows how you cannot go wrong by combining the two, especially when anchored with her black jacket and boots!

How do you feel about pattern mixing? Is it something you embrace (or want to embrace), or a hard pass? I would love to hear your thoughts on this style trend. Also, stop by and read what my fellow Fab 40s friends have to share and gain some more insight on it!