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Hola Fashionistas y Fashionistos!
Confession time.
I have been a bit neglectful in getting my post published for this edition of our Style Me Bloggers link-up. I had our theme “Spring trends: the do and don’t” on my mind early in the week and then in true senior citizen fashion, I totally forgot about it. Yup, just like THAT.
So now, not only do I need to type as fast as my little fingers can type to get this post up before the day is out, but I also need to type quickly before I forget what I’m typing about. (Ha! That rhymes.)
My research indicates that this spring, it seems that all the style rules I grew up with, followed faithfully, have been thrown right out the window. Shoved right off the cat walk. And somehow I must have missed the memo. But I assure you I am scrambling to play catch up now.
Here’s what I mean. These looks are from spring 2015 fashion shows.
Maybe not, because it seems that the only thing these three looks from fashion week have in common is that they have nothing in common. And they are all three what my mother would call BUSY. The first little number is Stella-Jean [source]. The dress is the center is Celine [source]. And the third piece is Dolce and Gabana [source]. My sources report that this little flamenco-flavored number may soon be available at Wal-Mart as Dolce and Gabana are in a lot of hot water over their unpopular comments about in vitro fertilization. Super style icons Sir Elton John, Courtney Love and Al Roker are calling out the designers for their controversial remarks [source] which can only mean D&G designs will either be more in demand or less in demand.
From here, I took my research to Pinterest. I pored over pinned 2015 spring street styles. Again I saw much of the same thing. A total disregard for former fashion rules. Has the fashion world gone batty?
I have heard of color blindness but pattern-blindness?
I am lovin’ the POP of yellow in those pumps with the black and white outfit in the first picture [source]. (They are yellow, right?) I feel like I should salute or at the very least, put my hand over my heart as I gaze upon the patriotic look in the center. A little like a flag flying above some great, mile-long legs [source]. Then there’s that last little ditty. Semi-subtle pattern-mixing. As a dress, it would be less scandalous by my (apparently antiquated) fashion protocols [source]. But as two separates, it might seem that the model got dressed in a very dark closet where she mistook her patterned blouse for a solid.
By this point in my research, though, I was beginning to “get it”. Just about anything goes. So here are some outfits I created to break all the rules. Call me a renegade.
Not too salvaje, yet.
But watch this.
There you go. Rule book—->out the window.
Wait just a cotton-pickin’ sec.
Polka dots can be worn with polka dots? Isn’t that crossing the line? Isn’t that pushing the envelope? They weren’t even that bold on the Milan runway.
But ever the epitome of El Paso haute couture, I am discovering that I can mix-up patterns with the best of them. And almost effortlessly. Very possibly unintentionally.
Now for my grand finale, my pièce de résistance, if you will. Probably as crazy as a retired librarian can get. For your entertainment pleasure and approval, I submit to you my final spring trend DO created by grouping together what would formally have been considered one big DON’T.
Pulling out all the stops. Just gettin’ crazy now. But breaking rules can be kind of fun.
When it comes to fashion anyway.
I haven’t been bold enough to venture out in public wearing any of these outfits YET but stay tuned, I promise I will put the El Paso fashion scene on its ear very, very soon.
Before I type the last letter of this post and click on PUBLISH, I want to share the shopping details for my outfits as I am pretty certain you are all dying to replicate these on-trend looks yourselves.
For fear of not remembering where I bought each of the pieces featured in this post, and knowing how desperately you are probably waiting for that information, I took pics of the tags inside the clothes.
And here is the run down:
- One Star/Converse solid black, racer back tank – Target
- Black and white striped tees – Old Navy
- evolution white tee with bling neckline – StitchFix
- Cable and Gauge yellow cardigan – Steinmart
- @#$#!#@%$ (Can’t read the label) black and white polka dot blouse – online ??
- Dexflex coral wedges – Payless
- Comfort Plus black and white, color block pumps – Payless
- Mix No. 6 black and white d’Orsay flats – DSW
- Focus yellow, black and white, polka dot skirt – Steinmart
- Merona black and white polka dot skirt – Target
- Ann Taylor Loft coral, open weave sweater – Loft Outlet
- Floral scarf – Target
Ignore the price tags. It’s just that little quirk I have about leaving tags on everything. I’m a bit OCD-ish. Taking meds for it and much better than I used to be. Ask my daughters.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my camera. The FujiFilm FinePix F500EXR. Without my FujiFilm camera this post would have been brought to you by the blurry and sometimes oddly sized pictures from my iPhone.
As we say in the fashion world,
Ciao!
Sharon
You are one funny girl that knows how to dress! Love all your outfits friend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
XO Thank you, Sharonia. Going to try out a couple of these outfits during my long-term sub assignment. What are you guys doing tomorrow? I know your days of freedom are numbered!!!
Lana
This post is just brilliant! I agree, everything is kind of crazy in fashion land these days, but I love the outfits you pulled together. I expect to see a photo of you wearing them soon! I laughed when I read your Dolce and Gabana comment. Their foot in mouth moment might be to our benefit!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Lana! Thank you so much for stopping by. We can only hope that the D&G faux pas trickles down to some affordable fashion for us. I was sorry to read that you are probably not going to do the spring challenge. I think I might be the only one of us Style Me Bloggers doing it. Guess I will be doing a lot of talking to myself. Where did you and you mama go shopping today? Hope you find some great buys.
Mary
I adore those combinations you’ve put together, Leslie! I think you should try one out! Maybe the first one first, to warm yourself up. Plus, I love that fun skirt!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet one, for the encouragement. I have a long-term sub job so will have an excuse to get dressed up more. Might be confused for a clown instead of a librarian, but that’s ok. Hope spring is finally coming to your neck of the woods. XO
Karen Strand
Girlfriend!!!! I LOVE your style! Both your writing style and your fashion style! Your comments on the fashion scene just crack me up. I remember it was about 4 years ago that I first started reading style blogs and this one blogger always pattern mixed big time. I would just sit there and stare at her wondering if she knew that those items didn’t match! Haha. Jokes on me. Anywho, I love the outfits you put together. You should totally post yourself in them! Have a great weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Sweet Karen! You made me laugh. I used to associate all of these mixed up pattern outfits with clowns and bag ladies. Guess they were just ahead of the trend. Planning to try out the craziness next week for subbing at school. So glad you stopped by, my friend. XO
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
This post cracked me up! I’m sitting here trying to hold my laugh in so my husband doesn’t think I’m crazy 🙂 I won’t lie, I’m loving that patriotic outfit in the center.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I love that patriotic outfit, too. In fact, all of the pattern mixing is growing on me. You almost don’t have to think when you get dressed. Just put any old combination together and call it pattern mixing! So glad I could give you a giggle. XO
Carrie
Love it, Leslie! It’s so funny how far we have come with all the rules for sure!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I remember never wearing pants, Carrie. Especially to school…in 1968, I was allowed to wear pants to school in Memphis for the first time ever. We have come a million miles from those good? old days! XO
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
I know this is tongue in cheek but you’ve really put together some fun outfits! I hope you try some of them out!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am going to get very bold and try one of these outfits next week. The kids will be doing state testing next week so I can probably hide away in the library and not inflict my pattern mixing on anyone. Thanks for the encouragement. XO
Katie
Seriously Leslie….you are hilarious!! I just love you! I think you should just jump in and try some of these combos!! Have a great week!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Katie, you make me feel so good when you say that I am funny! I start writing seriously and somehow I always get silly somewhere in the middle. Going to try one of these combos next week. Stay tuned for the big reveal! XO
Lauren Buendia
Oh my gravy, mom!!!! I was truly laughing out loud. This post is so funny! I love everything. My fave quote is, “But ever the epitome of El Paso haute couture, I am discovering that I can mix-up patterns with the best of them. And almost effortlessly. Very possibly unintentionally.”. Love that last part. I never thought about mixing dots with dots. I am definitely going to try that now. Welcome to the non-iPhone camera world!!! I don’t miss those huge, over-pixilated outfit photos, selfies, or check marks one bit! I’m so glad you got a real camera. I’m looking forward to seeing a selfie photo with it! I love you bunches.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay, me for getting a camera! Yay, you for this sweet message. You know that I am ON TOP of El Paso haute couture. When you move home, you can be on top with me. I am going to wear one of these looney-tune outfits next week. Stay tuned. I love you, Buff!
Shaunacey
love your picks! you picked the perfect patterns to mix!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Shaunacey. I am going to get very bold and wear one of my outfits next week! Pics to follow. XO