I’d like to make a sun dress, and have these two fabrics on hand. I think I like them together… The colors do look better together in person.
I have enough of the paisley to make a bodice, a skirt, or a whole dress.
There is enough of the floral to make a bodice or skirt (but not both), but it’s heavier and darker than the paisley, so might work better as the skirt.
What do you think?
All paisley dress, because they don’t look good together,
(I’m not stylish at all so take my thoughts with a grain of salt) All paisley dress unless you can add in some solid color (navy?) to help unify them a bit more.
I like the combination - I get Betsey Johnson and Kaffe Fassett vibes.
And I work with preschoolers and they are forever wearing all of their favorite prints at once andI think it looks good.
But then again, I wear the the same thing almost everyday - jeans, tee, hoodie - so what do I know?
Thanks for the advice!
I’ll look at them in different light for a day or so…
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
7
I really love mixing patterns. I see common colors so to me, they go together. I think the trick is to balance them…maybe make the skirt floral but use some to make the ties or carry it onto the paisley some how. Maybe paisley pockets on the skirt?
I also like the idea of using a coordinating solid between the two to tie them together.
I would say play with it as you go…this reminds me of the colorful pairings I have seen in clothing in other parts of the world. Go for it!
The colors kind of change in different lighting. This morning, they look awful together; the floral has a lot of warm peachy tones, the paisley has a lot of turquoise. (Yeah, like the photo).
If I just wore the dress in dim lighting, I’d be fine…
The paisley alone might be a little boring.
Maybe I can find a solid turquoise or something and add piping and binding.
I think I’ve piped at least three garments with turquoise…
3 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
9
I was looking more at the color of the leaves in the floral and the background in the paisley.
There is a blogger called Dandy Liar that does some great mixes. Her style is very funky. Some are a bit over the top for me, but overall, her bold choices really make her look chic and fashionable and fun!
Interesting site. I use similar rules, but prefer multiple common colors, not just one.
I think some of her combinations looked lively and fun, but I can’t stand the red shirt and yellow plaid pants! Maybe because I don’t like red, yellow, or plaid…
We all have our own preferences and prejudices, and that’s what makes fashion fun!
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
11
Oh, I agree…that one was a terror to my eyes as well, but, probably made her stand out…I like more subtle mixes than her but I still follow her for some bravery…
My favorite pattern mix was Bob Geldof on tour back in the 2000’s wearing a navy pin-stripe suit (I think the stripes were gray) and a red shirt with white polka dots.
And eons ago, I’m talking the 1970’s, Patti Smith was on the Mike Douglas show (who remembers that one?) and he made a snide comment about her grungy outfit. She replied, in a surprised way, “They’re both stripes!” She was wearing striped trousers and a striped shirt.
I decided to use the paisley alone. Went to cut it out, and discovered I didn’t figure the yardage correctly. So I did a floral bodice with paisley skirt and straps.
I liiiike it? It makes me a little uncomfortable. Must be art.
