Peep-Toe Pattern Party

Ever play the closet matching game? It’s a morning favorite of mine. Hold up two or three unrelated items and see if they could go together in an outfit; it’s kind of like the closet computer from Clueless, except not nearly as strict. Play with the textures, the patterns, the colors, and the cuts to see what new outfits are hiding in your bedroom. These pieces were all hanging out—literally… as in, on hangers… ha!—but they weren’t talking. It was like an awkward group of strangers at a party. But once you put people, er, attire together, it’s amazing how well it can work out.

“You’re a blouse? No way. Because I’M A BLOUSE.” “Whaaaat? You’re messin’ with me. You don’t by chance have black details, do you?” “NO WAY, MAN, I DO!”

Currently Wearing… Striped blouse, JCPenney [SIMILAR] | Floral blouse, JCPenney [SIMILAR] | Skinny jeans, Red Engine [HERE] | Clutch, Target [SIMILAR] | Shoes, Vince Camuto at DSW [SIMILAR]| Earrings, Stella & Dot c/o independent stylist Kristin McCaw [HERE] | Bracelets, vintage | Locket, Fable & Lore c/o ALIVE Magazine [HERE] | Sunglasses, Quay at Nordstrom Rack [SIMILAR] | Scarf, H&M [SIMILAR]

Hoping to layer blouses? Use a shirt with a rounded hemline underneath and a straight or asymmetrical—but not curved—hem on the top. (And be prepared to spritz yourself with a hearty dose of Static Guard.) Keep the colors coordinated, but not necessarily matchy, and make sure pattern proportions parallel properly. Dare ya to say that five times fast.