Have you ever had a very interesting piece that you love, but can’t seem to wear enough because it is just so hard to coordinate with other pieces? I definitely do! These fun pieces are usually the first ones to catch my attention while browsing online or entering a store, but actually coordinating the piece to work in an outfit can be a feat. It sometimes seems that the piece may be too overbearing if I add anything else to it, but my friends, pattern mixing here can save an outfit!
How fun is this maxi dress!? The red ants crawling on it makes me think of spring picnics at the park and croquet on the front lawn. Where is my lemonade and strawberry tart? This silk dress guarantees an immediate happy boost when I slip it on! The muted green color is perfect for spring and downplays the funky red ant print. This Charlotte Taylor Fire Ants Maxi dress was a lucky find from a few years ago!
One of the hardest choices I had to make with this dress (since it is sleeveless) was whether to layer over the dress or under the dress. I have tried adding a simple cream button down blouse underneath with a glitzy gold collar, and this usually worked with some gold heels. However this Polka dotted blazer is definitely my new favorite piece to layer with this dress. The polka dot pattern doesn’t take away from the ant pattern, and since it is in a simple black and white, it creates some balance for the dress.
I love these clear and black heels paired with this dress. You can find some similar ones here. The heels seem to draw the eye back up to the black and white blazer, creating a completed look. And finally, a cute accessory I added in was this little fortune cookie purse I bought on my recent trip to Israel. The color matched the ant print perfectly and the added pattern (and beading!) only made this purse pop against the dress.
Do you have those fun pieces stashed away in the back of your closet because you don’t have the right top or shoes to go with it? The truth is you probably already do own a great item to pair it with! Don’t be afraid to mix a few patterns together, and get the most out of all of your iconic pieces!