Who said a Zebra print jacket and neon-colored, striped pants can’t work together to create a fashion-forward look?
Oh yeah, that’s right, literally everyone.
Well, that was until last year. Since 2021 began, mixing and matching colors and prints has gone from being a reason to call the fashion police to something seen as a bold, stylish choice. Though you may think this new trend is bizarre, is it really a surprise it’s making a comeback?
We’re now coming up on a year since pajamas and sweats became our go-to quarantine attire. With so much time spent at home, it’s safe to say we’ve stopped caring if our pajama pants match the oversized hoodies we wear for way too long without a wash (come on, that can’t just be me). So, did this trend start because paparazzi caught quarantining celebs off guard while sporting some seriously odd fashion combos? Maybe. Will that stop us from trying to replicate our favorite role models’ comfy, careless looks (despite how tacky or tasteless they may seem)? Never.
To sum things up, the lack of effort we’ve been putting into our outfits is the main reason mix-and-match is making its’ first appearance since the early 2000s. Though it can be an incredibly hard trend to master, these celebs and influencers manage to pair an array of clashing colors and patterns in a way that’s cute and unique.
Influencer and small business owner Camille Lenore is known for her adorable aesthetic and incredible eye for design (whether that’s home decor or fashion), so I was hardly surprised when seeing she can model mix-and-match like no other. Not only does she combine checkered and floral prints (bold move), but her mixture of neon orange and black and white is definitely one that isn’t seen often.
Though, just because it isn’t common doesn’t mean it isn’t incredibly cute. Why does it work? The consistency of the checkered pattern. Because both pieces possess the same print, the outfit has a sense of togetherness that instantly attracts the eye. After we catch sight of her look’s symmetry, we can appreciate the fun colors and busy floral pattern without being overwhelmed by how much is going on.
Now, I won’t lie to you. When Jenner posted photos in this look, she got a variety of mixed reviews. Everyone agreed that combining this pastel yellow, floral top with dark cheetah print pants was definitely daring (only some meant it in a positive way), but regardless of how opinions differed, one thing was for sure: no one saw it coming. So, even if you don’t think this outfit worked, you can’t deny it was unexpected, unique, and memorable—three things every trendsetter strives for when putting together a new outfit.
Also, rocking an untraditional outfit comes quite easily when you’re as beautiful as Jenner, so by pairing this fit with gorgeous, soft makeup and an elegant hairstyle, her look is brought to the next level.
Though a celebrity isn’t being featured in this photo, the fact that mega-popular lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters has fully embraced the world of mix-and-match is definitely worth noting. Though the model’s halter top and cardigan pair perfectly together, the colors and patterns on these pieces couldn’t be more different than her muted, textured bottoms.
This look is undeniably different, and may even make you cringe at first glance. However, the way this outfit embodies the kind of mix-and-match we loved in the 90s and early 2000s (think 2004 Ashley Tisdale) makes us just nostalgic enough to fall in love with it (I mean fashion is cyclical after all, right?). Add to that the model’s hoop earrings, edgy hairstyle, and fierce confidence and you can’t deny how ridiculously cool this look is.
Featured in my last blog, influencer and YouTuber Emma Chamberlain is at it again sporting a new, unique fashion trend. Flaunting a muted, multi-colored striped skirt with a neon turquoise top and pink jacket, Chamberlain masters the balancing act between symmetry and variety in the same way Lenore does above.
The patterns and colors on Chamberlain’s skirt and blouse couldn’t be more mismatched, yet the fact that her pink jacket perfectly matches her skirt saves the day. If her jacket would’ve clashed with her other clothing items, it likely would’ve looked like she got dressed in the dark. Though, because she makes sure to counter her look’s inconsistencies with a unifying accessory, she effortlessly pulls off mix-and-match.
The Beat @APU 