Opposites Attract – How to Mix Up Your Style
If you are over 40, you were taught that to look fashionable you needed to match the style and color of your clothing and accessories. Fast forward to now when that rule has been thrown totally out the window. Today, it’s all about deliberately mixing things up so you don’t look so perfectly coordinated.
Yes, this new way of styling outfits can throw you off kilter if you are used to the old way, but it doesn’t have to. Taking the time to see things from a new angle can help breathe life into a humdrum wardrobe.
When we are choosing something to wear, we generally stick with we the tried and tested. Our decision might be based on color (light not dark), fabric (fluid rather than ‘stiff’), pattern (abstract not striped), and the overall impression (formal not casual). This is fine. It’s what we know. BUT it can get a bit boring at times.
So, how do you spice it up without losing your own sense of style and security? Here’s how. You add in its opposite!
The concept of Polarity appears everywhere: yin/yang, light/dark, large/small, quiet/loud, love/hate – these are just a few examples
They might be construed as ‘clashing’ or fighting against one another. On the other hand, we could view them as two halves of a whole or two sides of the same coin, in which case they have the possibility to sit side by side to make a unique unit of balance.
The Scandinavians have this down to a fine art. They are mixing up proportions in such a way that this new styling has started to become mainstream. You would never have paired a wide-legged pants with a square, boxy top. A tighter, more form-fitting top would have been the norm. Thick-soled sandals, such as Birkenstocks, would never have graced a knee-length skirt or a midi dress, but now they look great. So, you see, mixing unlikely pairings can look amazing.
So, instead of avoiding the opposite of your usual choice, see if you can bring some polarity into the mix. The benefit is the ability to open up and expand available options and bring more fun and versatility into your life. Everything is accessible if you so desire it to be.
Some will work and some might not but it’s the sense of curiosity that counts. Not only is it fun but, apparently, it also keeps you young!!
Some ideas for you to try:
- Mix two cliches together e.g. luxe and sportswear, vintage with modern, tailored with boho
- Mix opposite textures e.g. leather and silk, wool and lace, dense and sheer
- Add a denim jacket to a classic skirt or pant
- Balance a trendy piece with a traditional garment
- Wear a check shirt with a classic suit
- Team biker boots with a dress, high heels with shorts
- Try pattern with pattern, florals or checks with stripes, florals with florals
- Mix faux fur with jeans
- Wear bohemian chic with couture designer – perhaps just a watch or bag
- Team a shirt and a man’s tie with a skirt
- Clash colors worn together – wear cool with warm
- Mix horizontal and vertical stripes in the same outfit
- Decorate chiffon with metal chains
- Wear odd shoes, mismatched socks, or a different earring in each ear
- Try high tops or trainers with a pencil skirt
- Wear blue mascara on the top lashes and purple on the bottom
Ladies, What do you think of the idea of fashion polarity? Have you tried it and how is it working out for you? Please send me a photo. I’d love to see a look you’ve created.
Written by Sue Donnelly is a certified Image Consultant. Visit Sue’s website to find out how she can help you style your Soul, Spirit, and Silhouette.
I love your suggestions; they are, as always, accommodating. I would appreciate your recommendation for cowgirl boots. I am 47 years old and have always liked cowgirl boots but never dared to wear them. Now, I have a craving for them at this point in my life. I don’t know if I am having a midlife crisis or something. All I can hope for is to hear from somebody who always knew about fashion as you do since I never was a fashionable person myself, not even when I was young. Now I am becoming more conscious and have some common sense about fashion. I do not dress like a teenager or young adult; on the contrary, people always say that I like to dress to look older than I am. I am 5’7″, bust 34″B, Hip 38″, waist 28″. My face shows the normal wrinkles for the late 30s or early 40s woman; in this sense, I thanks my parents for their good genes. I have been lifting weight for about five years and have very well-defined muscles on my legs and arms; my belly shows the famous six packs, which help a lot. Since people always picture a 40-something woman as a person with a puffed belly, saggy gluteus, arms, and legs and never remember that this type of body is hard to dress even for a 20-year-old, the one is always the one to be punished by the fashion industry and gurus
I am not planning to wear a cowgirl boot to restaurants or work. I want to wear them to street festivals during the Fall or Ferias in Spring. Many people reading this will probably think that I am a nut because, at this age, I have not yet decided to wear what I want and should ignore what people think. My whole point is: I want to wear what I want but with class and the finesse appropriate for my age. By the way, I have the cowgirl boot from Ariat tan color with some delicate stitches, not the crazy flashy ones. I don’t want people looking at me as a hag. I hope to hear from you soon.
I appreciate any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Sandra Picerno
Hi Sandra, I’ve answered your question here. Take a look. Cheers, Deborah http://bit.ly/1QehLXY
I wore dark grey cowboy boots for our family Christmas celebration today. I wore an above-the-knee flared light grey dress. I had planned to wear grey tights, but it was too hot. I had a long crystal necklace ending in a tassel and silver earrings. I loved how I looked and was complimented by everyone—nothing like a costume or a western outfit. I’m 65 years old.
I agree with mixing it up, but this is way over the top. No thanks, it looks like you didn’t have anything to wear and threw some things together.
Hi Ann,
You raise an interesting point. How far is too far? I’m on the conservative side myself. I find that too much mixing makes one look confused, not chic. How does everyone else feel?
I like the polarity idea. I tested an outfit this past spring…Black n white ankle pant w/a a small vertical print and a red n white horizontal tiger stripe cardigan over a white cami…it worked…and I even got a compliment!!! Too bad I didn’t take a picture.
Yuck
Thanks for the tips! Now I see the yin and yang in this new dressing, which will be more accessible and inventive.
I don’t think I will take this that far because I would quickly feel chaotic, but doing this more subtly would suit me best.
I love this dichotomy of dressing–I never thought about it with the yin/yang analogy, but that’s a perfect way to describe it! Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
So daring … the rules of fashion are more subjective than some objective scientific law… I love these new styles!