Why it doesn’t work…
OH BUT IT DOES!!!!
That was a trick! Ha! Got ya! Or did I??? No doubt the majority of you are looking at this outfit and thinking what the jeepers ca-reepers is this loon wearing?!
Mixology my friends…Mixology.
What the fecking bejesus is that?!
Well, yes, when I first heard the word I did think it was a load of balls in a see-through ‘customs’ bag. Last summer I kept reading about mixology on my beloved Glamourai’s site here and suddenly everyone seemed to be raving about it.
What!? Pffff…I’ve been doing this shizal for years. It all started back in 2004 when I lived in Sister With Massive Laugh’s bedroom and had all my clothes in boxes stacked up. Getting dressed every morning was pot luck as it was determined by what I could grab from the nearest box. I think up until that point I had been very matchy matchy and then suddenly I didn’t have a choice. If I wanted a certain belt or cardi to go with anything I had to work out which box it would be in and how I would get to it….No time for that in the mornings! Printed blouses started finding themselves making friends with patterened skirts. Stripes said hallo to polka dots and colour was everywhere.
(orla kiely top, m&s bra, forever 21 belt, chazzer shazzer skirt, m&s wedges)
The mixology rules aren’t really rules but merely guidelines, tips if you will, and are ones that make me very happy:
1. vary the scale. mix a small neat print with a splashier one or an eye-popper with one that’s more neutral.
2. stay within the same color family.
3. mix up the fabrics, the weights — a rough-textured fabric with a more refined one. somehow a nubby, slubby fabric pairs up more naturally with a flat weave than do two smooth-textured fabrics.
4. toss in some polka dots, stripes or even leopard prints, which are easier to mix with other patterns because they’re simple and graphic. and they’re familiar to the eye.
5. consider the accessories. though it’s fun to tote a print bag with a print frock, you can tone down the brights with a great tan leather bag or pair of sandals. straw works, too.
The tips above are from the the new york times’ guide to mixology and reasons 2 and 4 are why my outfit does work!
The same colourways are in action…
…the leopard print and the postbox red are neutrals that, in my extremely shortsighted eyes, can be teamed with anything.
So what say you my dear Shoelets…Do you think it works? Or do you think mixology is a load of balls? Let me know your torts…(irish accent used to say thoughts)
Posted in Chazzer Shazzer chic, Mixology, Outfit city, Tricks of the trade
My torts my dear are that you are divine! I am a true believer in mixology, I am a bit matchy matchy sometimes when I do ma own mixology, I love contrasting colours together and various tones of the same colour…but then again I love clashing colours and patterns and all different textures. YOU keep the look stylish and refined and you always do something that I would never think of that sets the look apart and says RSNK! Like the striped belt…I love it but would never have tort it…The shoes are the bomb, much love on them!! x x x
Interesting my sweet friend, interesting. You are matchy matchy but never in an obvious, neat ‘I’ve chosen these pieces with too much care’ way which I think makes for great mixology. I think your array of jewellery that you wear is something I would never think of putting together but always looks amazing. Big beads, dangly ethnic jewelled earrings, indian rings, bangles piled up the arm – all this all together! On paper is too much…On you it works! I WORKS god dammit! Also your use of colour – neon pinks, baby blues, purples, oranges – they are always a melange on you that I would never have thought of putting together but again look fantastic. Very inspired by your colours, Kaspia. Anyone else inspired by a friends style that they like to tweak, take from, rework and make their own? Torts?