How You Mix Gingham, Plaid and Leather without Looking Like a Punk

Mixing pattern is a big thing right now. However, it can easily look like you dressed in the dark. This post shows how the match gingham, plaid and leather to create and interesting, effortlessly stylish look.

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Mixing patterns – how far can you go

We mixed floral and leopard, leopard and stripes, stripes and plaids, stripes with floral prints, gingham with floral, leather with floral, leather with stripes, and even leopard and plaid, you name it. Now I’m trying something new, at least new for me. And it’s a big trend right now – namely mixing similar pattern like plaid and gingham.

It’s like summer meets winter as the former is associated a cold season, the latter a warm season weave pattern. 😉 Well, it’s still fall here in the Interior. An unusually long fall to be precise. Typically, it’s done after three to four weeks. But we still have no notable snow. The little we had/have looks like an idiot powered the area with a bag of cage sand for little songbirds. 😉

Gingham shirt with plaid skirt

Let’s get back to the look of the day. When hanging back clothes into my closet somehow I came close with my gingham shirt to the pleated plaid skirt that was hanging in my created outfit area. Do you have a place where you put the pieces of an outfit idea to wait for the right weather? Or is this just me?

Anyhow, mixing prints and pattern can look so stylish. I love this trend. What about you?

Anyhow, I realized the two pieces have the same colors and the idea sparked to try to wear them together in a fall outfit for work. I know, I am now wearing the same skirt at the Top of the World Style linkup party than I did last week. However, this week I styled the skirt quite differently and in three variations. Last week I styled the midi skirt as an almost monochromatic fall style for work. In case you missed the outfit, I added the link so you can easily see it.

You can find an ultimate guide how to look your best in plaid at the link.

Layering is key when styling a gingham shirt for fall

To make this blouse a great summer-to-fall transition look – temperature and style wise, I went for layering. A blue long sleeve halftee underneath the gingham button-down, and then a leather jacket on top for the commute to work. I kept the look in red-white and blue.

Midi skirts are tricky for petites

Being a petite, you should accentuate your waist using a belt. Which belt is best for you depends on your vertical body shape. The heels help to look tall and elongate the legs. In this gingham plaid outfit idea, I picked a red tote and not a red shoulder bag because I wanted to be able to swap shoes after work. Thus, I had my red pumps in the tote for going out. Normally I don’t wear “work clothes” for date night outfit. But when you have to work late, just swapping shoes and accessories is a Do. Pointy toe red pumps are so sexy. Don’t you think so? I love pointy toe pumps.

The nude pumps  with red block heels (shown in the photo) are great for a work appropriate look. The nude color makes the legs look long.

Don’t let a great outfit be a random thing. Wear the right look in every situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now. What have you been up to and wearing lately?

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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