You can look awesome in the patched clothes trend

This article reviews the history of clothing patches, how they became mainstream and how best to wear the (perenial) trend in a grownup, effortlessly stylish and timeless way.

Contents

The roots of patches are in the military
The use of patches in the 1960s and 1970s
Patched clothing today
Example how to wear a patch shirt the modern way
Welcome to the 108^th Top of the World Style linkup party

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

The roots of patches are in the military

Patched clothes are It this season. They are adopted from the military – think name tag, rank indication, Nationality, unit, etc. Also many businesses use patches for their employees names, as encouragement to ask, special skills, their corporate identity, and even for display of awards of their employees. Think of the patch “I can help you” or “employee of the month”, “I speak Korean”, etc.

So why should you wear something with patches when you don’t need to cover a whole????

It's all about fashion, babe! Click To Tweet

style book author in chic floral coat — Back view of Alaska spring outfit with Banana Republic floral coat, London Jean BF, GNW socks, and Prada bag (all own)

The use of patches in the 1960s and 1970s

Of course, for us women over 40, patches also remind us of the jeans that our moms fixed by sewing on patches on the ripped holes. That’s

How not to wear patches!

They also remind us of our favorite bands. The tongue patch of the Rolling Stones – remember that?

It was among the favorites on denim jackets. It is still today a Go-to for many when it comes to what to wear at an outdoor concert.

Patched clothing today

Since patches are worn in professional environments, this patch trend can be worn in midlife without looking like re-living the past. In other words, skip the tongue and go with new fantasy patches that look grown-up. This means skip the Kitty patch or whatever patches anyone under 14 adores.

Stylist tip: Wear a button-down shirt with a half-tuck.

stylist in a split hem shirt — Side view to show the split hem styled tucked-in in the front, but left outside in the back

fashion influencer in a shirt with patches and jeans — Shein patch embellished button-down shirt, Dior neckerchief scarf, London Jean BF, Kieselstein Cord buckle, GNW polka dot socks, and horse-bite fur mules (all own)

Also look for pieces that have a classic cut like this button-down shirt, which is the newest addition to my spring wardrobe.

Go with a classic cut when you take the bandwagon on the patch trend for an ageless modern look. Click To Tweet

Of course, you can also make your own signatue item. Just make sure that the piece plus the iron-ons do not break the bank. In DIY, it can become more expensive than a (cheap) store bought item. Thus, only DIY, when having a very unique signature piece is it worth for you.

Did you know that there is a post on how to make a great patched shirt on this blog?

Example how to wear a patch shirt the modern way

Add other classic pieces like a fitted coat or blazer, a pencil skirt or boyfriend jeans.

street style blogger in patched shirt and coat — Outfit details: Banana Republic coat, Shein button-down patched shirt, Dior scarf, London Jean boyfriend jeans, Kieselstein Cord buckle, Prada bag, GNW polka dot socks, horse-bite fur mules, and DvF sunnies (all own)

Do you like the patched-everything trend? Have you already jumped the bandwagon? If so, how do you wear your iron-ons? On your top, jacket, parka, skirt or pants?

When you like the blog, you may also want to get my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy your copy now to save.

Welcome to the 108^th Top of the World Style linkup party

Thanks to all of you who linked up in the past and make this party great and exciting with your inspiring outfit ideas. Welcome back! You are an awesome crowd!

When you are new, welcome. We are glad you are here. You can sign up to get an email invitation to the party.

As a “Thank You” for linking up, I pin photos from this party’s posts to the Top of the World Style pinterest group board. When you want to pin all the photos of your posts to this group board, please follow my boards on pinterest (pinterest requirement to add you), and send me an email with the request to be added to the group board contributors. I will email you an invitation. All you have to do then is to click accept and start pinning your outfits.

By linking up you agree that I may feature you as Top of the World Style Winner, Top of the World OOTD Readers’ Fav or Top of the World OOTD My Fav and use a photo from your linked up post in the feature. Thank you. 🙂

When you want to get a free feature at the Top of the World Style party as a co-host, all you have to do is to click the link and let me know. We then will agree on a date and I will send you the linkup code on the weekend prior to the party. You will just have to add the code to your post. Newbies are also welcome.

To support other fashion and style bloggers, I added a new feature to the Top of the World Style linkup party last week. A random generator picks one post. The blogger who submitted the post becomes the Top of the World Style Winner. S/he is featured at the next party in addition to the Top of the World OOTD Readers’ Fav and Top of the World OOTD My Fav. Of course, the winner also gets a cool logo for their sidebar, featured or awards page (see below). 🙂

Top of the World Style Winner of the Week

Since the party runs a week minus 5 minutes, this feature has temporal delay. At the time of scheduling a new party, the old party is still in full swing and blogger still can join. To give all guests the same chance, the old party has to have closed before drawing the winner. In plain English, the Top of the World Style Winner visited the linkup party two weeks ago.

#fashionlinkup Top of the World Style Winner — Top of the World Style Winner Alison at Never Die Beauty. Photo from her post

The winner of this week’s feature is Alison, the blogger at Never Die Beauty who submitted her winning post at the 106^th linkup party. No she is not wearing my Uno Alla Volta scarf, but her own.

The post by Lynda H, who is one of the authors at Reviews, Chews, & How-tos became Top of the World OOTD Readers’ Fav as you clicked her post the most. Well, in deed, it’s sensational news that Stich-Fix now has plus sizes. It’s a step in the right direction to end body and shape discrimination. 🙂 Beauty comes in all sizes. Let’s hope the fashion industry finally also realizes that women over 40 also want and need fashion. We won’t settle for the mute pastels of our grannies or moms.

Jen, the blogger at Librarian for Lifestyle became Top of the World OOTD My Fav. I really love her look in this orange floral dress with biker jacket.

Congrats ladies! Please grab your respective featured Top of the World OOTD button from my Linkup Page.

Speaking of this Linkup Page, when you host a party, please send me an email with the day, name and your blog URL. I then will add you to the linkup directory. It’s a free promotion for your party!

Now let’s party. Everyone of any age and gender is welcome to share their fashion and style posts.

Grab the above banner and put it into your sidebar if you like
Please follow your hostess via email.
Linkup up to four of your fashion/style posts by simply adding your link below
Please be a good sports and visit the posts of at least three of your linkup-fellows, introduce yourself to them to network and to make new friends. If you know them all already, I am sure they will still appreciate your stopping by and saying Hi. We all like traffic, don’t we?

Thanks for stopping by and linking up! Come back soon.

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Photos of me: G. Kramm