LA Story: Best Laid “Plaids” and Stripes

Plaids and stripes, together? Why not? An easy way to pull it off is with layering. The first and most important thing to remember when doing any kind of regular pattern mix is to use items with commonality of colour. Both my plaid blouse, Amazon, and stripe sweater, Vince, have shades of camel and grey. I like to layer the smaller of the 2 patterns under the larger one for a couple of reasons: a small pattern even on its own can be dizzying while a large pattern especially a spaced pattern is very easy on the eyes. Clearly, my green Army fatigues, Vintage, have nothing to do with my colour story or either pattern but they definitely serve a purpose.

To start… I adore them! I especially love how the faded colour reads like a neutral, so they work with anything especially patterns. As you can see, my pants and coat, J Crew, are proportionally much larger than the rest my items and can appear unbalanced.  I’ve strategically framed my patterns with my larger pieces and by using two different colours (camel and green), my strategy is less obvious and actually creates balance. My neutral coloured solid bag, Vintage, belt, Gucci, and sling-backs, Sebastian Milano, support my colour story with ease. Sometimes the best laid plans are a mix of plaids and stripes.

style-tip: have some fun and use this strategy to mix all of your large and small patterned prints.

LA Story: Suits and Kicks

There’s something about the formality of a suit juxtaposed with a casual sneaker and no socks that I absolutely love. It’s truly my favorite way to wear a suit. My pinstripe suit, Nina Perenna, is all about clean lines and laser sharp tailoring. The jacket has a gorgeous shape with a notched peaked lapel and angled besom pockets that lay very flat. The extremely high-waist slightly cropped pants have a side zip and are narrow to the ankle with no break. The subtle pinstripe pattern and slim cut of the suit is very linear, so I want to choose a sneaker with similar qualities like my, Chucks-Converse. This American classic has a vintage yet modern vibe. They’re clean straightforward and perfectly unfussy and if you happen to have narrow feet, they are the perfect shoe for you. Because the suit is dark and the details are flat, without some kind of contrast it can easily disappear.

I’m using a few pops of white to keep that from happening. My crewneck t-shirt, Hanes, under the jacket allows the eye to actually see the jackets’ details and shape especially the collar and the waist. I placed the oversized flower, Amazon, at the outer part of notched collar to draw the eye to the shoulder and sleeve and my white sneakers bring the eyes attention down to the little notch on either side of my pants. I’m carrying a simple black handbag, Carla Mancini, and simple watch and bracelet, Cartier, an ankle bracelet, Gucci, that draw no attention, so all eyes are on my suit.

style-tip: details, details, details. Understanding the why’s and the how’s will elevate our look.

*please treat your wardrobe well. many people worked very hard to get it to you.

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Felicia Arlin’s work as a stylist and costume designer has been featured in print, tv, film and on the red carpet. As a 20+ year veteran designer/merchandiser in the LA/NY garment industry her work has graced the racks of every major department store and specialty chain in the country. She is passionate about helping women look and feel confident no matter their age, shape or socioeconomic status. Her hope is to empower other women by sharing some of the things she’s learned along the way to better cultivate and express their own individual and ageless style. Follow her on Instagram.