April 2, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: Dots and Stripes














































This was always going to happen. As soon as I saw this photo on Banana Republic's website I knew I would re-create it. (I wore this outfit to church last night.) :-) In general, I'm loving polka dots and stripes together, and I have a really simple formula for making it work. The key is in the background/base color of each piece: you simply have to pair a light piece with a dark piece. So in today's outfit, my skirt is mostly dark (navy), and my top is mostly light (white). Another example, if I had a mostly light (white/ivory) polka dot shirt, it would look good paired with a mostly dark (black/navy) striped blazer or skirt. Have you tried polka dots + stripes yet?

Inspiration photo: Banana Republic
Shirt: H&M, $18 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic, $50
Belt: Forever 21, $5 (similar)
Shoes: Bandolino from TJ Maxx, $22
Clutch: LOFT, $28 (similar)
Earrings: Banana Republic, $10
Rings: LOFT pink ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic $10, My Stella & Dot website $49


1. Macy's polka dot skirt, $39.99
2. Forever 21 polka dot skirt, $19.80
3. Piperlime polka dot skirt, $59

46 comments:

  1. This is so cute!  I just bought a polka dot skirt last week, so I will be copying this look :)

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  2. Gorgeous!  I love the dot and stripe look.

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  3. I am not a fan of mixing prints in general. However, I must say, you do pull off this look rather well. I think you're right that there is a "formula" to it, and it's a deviation from it that I realize I have not liked when I've seen it in the past. This outfit looks great! 

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  4. I cannot tell you how much I love this look! I am copy to copy it...I mean, "borrow" the look! Haha! You look great!

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  5. These two pieces look great together.

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  6. This is FABULOUS!  I absolutely love.  I just got a polka dot skirt from F21 (circle skirt in 4 different colors for only $15.80!  I got the black/white combo similar to yours), and I've gone back to your archives to find fun ways to style it.  You have the best inspiration! :)

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  7. literally gasped out loud at work when I saw this, it's STUNNING

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  8. So funny, I am wearing almost this exact same outfit today. I'm not wearing yellow though, I accented with green. 

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  9. I love this look... I think I may recreate this in a reverse version. Dots on top stripes on the bottom. You are the Queen of Recreation!!

    http://hopelessinatlanta.blogspot.com/

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  10. This look is amazing! I love striped shirts. :)

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  11. I am in love with this look! I feel in love with that skirt when I saw it at bananna republic but had no idea how to style it, thanks so much for the inspiration

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  12. Love this look on you...you make it look effortless and classic!

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  13. wow you look really great!
    love the stripes and polka dots!

    xx

    http://myowndelight.blogspot.com

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  14. this looks awesome--you are inspiring!

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  15. What a fabulous look!  I just blogged today about mixing prints, and I'm definitely "pinning" your photo for outfit inspiration.  I actually just found a great polka dot skirt very similar to the one you're wearing at a thrift store for $5. :)

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  16. I think your outfit looks better than BR's.  

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  17. That's very cute! Been wanting to try the stripes and polka dots. I've done a couple of stripes with bright colors on my blog and one polka dot shirt, but never together. I also just got my polka dot Dorothy Perkins dress that I can't wait to feature.
    Niki
    www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com

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  18. I have been wanting to try dots + stripes for a while.  Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. Gorgeous outfit!  I really do like the concept of bringing in two completely different designs and sealing it with a touch of brightness!

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  20. I love this look.  I have the top, need the skirt!  You look great.
     

    Creamy

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  21. polka dots!! love them! I recently did a polka dot post on my blog too :) Good luck on the LC contest :)

    memoriesoftimespast.blogspot.com

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  22. polka dots! I love them! I recently did a polka dot post on my blog too! Good luck on the LC contest :)

    memoriesoftimespast.blogspot.com

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  23. love it!

    fitfashlife.blogspot.com
     

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  24.  I totally agree!  There is definitely a formula and I don't think many people can pull it off.  J definitely knows her stuff!

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  25. jennifoundinmyclosetApril 2, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Super cute look!  I love pattern mixing...and you pull it off perfectly!

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  26. Unbelievably cute! Love this on you.

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  27. I like your outfit better than the inspiration. I mix prints on occasion, but I'm careful to make sure that there is more than one color match between the prints (unless there are only two). Otherwise, I think it looks off.

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  28. Thanks Darlene! Do you mean matching black stripes with black polka dots, that kind of thing?

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  29. I LOVE this outfit! I'm always a little nervous about mixing prints, but dots and stripes in coordinating colors really seem to work together. Also, I definitely think your outfit is better than the Banana Republic inspiration shot. 

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  30. Wonderful look! I am a huge fan of polka dots! Thanks for the tip on mixing them with stripes.

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  31. Adorable!  I'm loving both polka dots and stripes this year so seeing them together is fun!  

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  32. SO cute!  I wouldn't have thought to put that together.  Thanks for the inspiration!

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  33. I love this look! Polkadots and stripes are my favorite both together and apart!

    http://michellelivinglifebeautifully.blogspot.com/ 

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  34. Thats a perfect mix! the yellow belt was a smart choice too!
    http://work-it-blog.blogspot.com/ 

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  35. Love it!  The pattern mixing is fantastic, and thanks for the advice on doing it successfully!

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  36. Could not be cuter!  Love!

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  37. This is a great look! You're so good at recreating outfits. Thanks for a great idea!

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  38. I adore this outfit!  I have been reading your blog for the past couple months and I am such a fan.  I love your style and feel it matches my personality and what I would like to be wearing, especially if I lived in sunny FL!  I just wanted to share that I nominated your site for the Kreative Blogger Award and the Sunshine Award!  Thank you for your stylish inspiration!
     ~Rebecca @ All-American Vegetarian
    http://allamericanvegetarian.blogspot.com

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  39. You are so sweet Rebecca, thank you!

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  40. I'm inspired.. Gonna try it! :)

    xoxoxo
    Ritcha
    http://ritchastyle.blogspot.com

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  41. I like stripes. I like polka doted. Im not sure i like the same size or same color. I little too matchy for me. You're pretty....I would accept it from you cuz I like you J. :)

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  42. Yes! I have been dying to pair stripes and polka dots myself...love the combo on you!

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  43. My mom bought me this skirt yesterday and I happened to have been wearing a dress just like the top in your picture.  After I got home I did a quick search and found that you had just bought the skirt too!!  I loved the look in the picture, so I layered the skirt over the dress, which I NEVER do -- my mom couldn't believe it looked so good!  Thanks for being RIGHT THERE!! :)

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  44. I love this so much!! Wearing a dress as a shirt is one of my favorite tricks. Sounds adorable!!

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  45. Love this, actually, your interpretation with the broader white stripe looks more interesting than BR's look!

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  46. I actually have done this outfit, but a little bit differently. I wore my black&white striped skirt  with a black&white polka dotted top (both from The Limited). I threw on a white belt to pull the pieces together, but I will definitely be trying the outfit with a brighter belt in the future. Thanks for the inspiration!

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