Mixology

So I'm really excited that I finally have the courage to attempt something with which I've always had a love/hate relationship: mixing patterns. You heard me. Throw all your preconceptions out the window. Forget what Mama told you about black not going with brown, patterns clashing, and white after Labor Day. Take a breath, and let's start over.

You can mix patterns. I repeated this mantra to myself regarding my late summer/early fall fashion choices, and you know what? I was actually right. And if I can do it... seriously, anyone can.

Many patterns are loud on their own, but when you mix them with another bold pattern, you often get unexpectedly stunning results. My favorite combination so far has been a zebra-printed dress in green, tan, gold, and brown with leopard print shoes in black, gold, and maroon. When I put it on I thought, "Oh, hell no." But a look in the mirror led to a firm choice. Even I can do this. So I did. And I haven't looked back. Neither should you.

Here is some proof from the runways that I'm not saying this to make you put together an embarrassing outfit and walk out of the house looking like a self-dressed 6-year-old. Take your courage, however, from these 6-year-olds. We can wear what we want. And we can actually look pretty rad doing it!

Until next time.

-A







And some of my personal favorites from the Rodarte Spring 2011 RTW collection:




All images Copyright Elle.

Without further ado . . .

If you need any more evidence that trashy couture is back to stay, I direct you to these photos of Elle MacPherson for the fall edition of Love:



and




As you already know, I say bring it. I read an article today on Jezebel about the backlash against foodies (you can read the article here. Although as with any other movement, the backlash against foodies was inevitable, I think we could compare the backlash against the sophisticated sheath dress to the backlash against sliver-thin duck slices in morel sauce. Fall 2010 runways exhibited lingerie as outerwear, cut-out clothing, and velvet and sheer and leather silhouettes.








Designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier seem to have fully embraced this aesthetic, mixing bright colors with slouchy sweats and infusing global design with a laced-up hooker-chic sensibility. Some have said that hipster-fashion is using Elaine Benes as a muse; I say hipsterism is dead--the next movement will either embrace neo-preppydom à la Birnbach's update of The Preppy Handbook or Christina Applegate's flipped-middle-finger fashion in Married with Children.

Long may trashy couture rule the runway!

-K