FOCAL POINT STYLING: Moodboard Monday: Try A New Mix This Fall with Plaid!

There are trends and there are classics. A wildly popular print trend from this past Spring & Summer has to be chevron. Other popular trends from the Spring and Summer have been 80's influences and bright neon colors. Trends aren't for everyone and trends aren't always appropriate for every age group. But sometimes an element from a trend can be added to a wardrobe or space to give it a little pick-me-up. An example of this would be to take a classic black & white sheath dress and pop it with a neon green bag. When developing my personal style, I tend to stay away from trends, unless they REALLY speak to me - than I decide is it something I want to wear? Or is it something I want to look at and live with? Some classics that are also trends very popular for Fall and even going into Spring 2013 are gold, black + gold, black + white, white + gold, and black + white + gold. All are very classic, very sophisticated and very versatile. Another "wildly" popular print of late has been animal prints, especially leopard. Leopard is a wonderful print to use for Fall - it works well the the warmer weather and colors such as golds, camel and browns. But similar to a neon bag, don't over do it on the leopard - use it as an accent to a wardrobe or a space. The organic pattern of a leopard print can easily be combined within a space with another classic print: plaid.

FALL ReMixed!

Try a NEW mix this Fall & Winter: Animal print + plaid

Plaid is extremely traditional, but is so welcoming during the Fall season, and works well into holiday. Inspiration for fashion or decor for plaid can be full on equestrian, western or even old English and even a rocker look like punk. A new mix to try this fall can be pairing the traditional plaid with a pop of leopard. The trick in this pairing is keeping the color palette similar in the grouping. I'm experimenting with this mix this Fall...

I already had the houndstooth throw and the leopard pillow, but was thrilled when I spotted (and scored!) this pillow pair recently at Goodwill...

A great secondhand style find!

AL = American Living

Side note + Story Behind the Style: I was even more thrilled to find these AL pillows because they are American Living: a line that was exclusively at JCPenney, designed by Ralph Lauren for the chain. I had helped organize, plan and execute the first cross divisional installation of these AL "shops" just before leaving JCP. As a reward for my contributions, my then store manager, Mack Tracy Jones, gave me a gift of his appreciation: The Ralph Lauren Book. With all the changes happening at JCP, the line has since been dropped, and Mr. Jones has become a District Leader in another state, but we still keep in touch through LinkedIn messages and emails...

Ok, back to trying a new mix for fall: plaid + animal prints...

HABA-DASH!

PLAID as a mix of inspiration from haberdashery & equestrian influence.

Don't be surprised if or when you see refreshing prints for Spring 2013 showcasing some plaid. A master at mixing plaid prints has to be Ralph Lauren, especially for his Fall Collection. And if you are into watching period TV vs. reality TV, you'll notice classic plaid textiles featured in shows like Copper, Boardwalk Empire and Downtown Abbey...