Have you ever seen someone who was dressed in something that should have been odd or outrageous and thought that it looked fabulous? It’s likely that we’ve all seen it: somehow, widely disparate garments and accessories can come together harmoniously to create one hell of a fashion statement that’s sure to turn heads.
Here are just a few pairings that might seem like they’d never work, but manage to look fantastic if put together well.
Maxi Dresses with Jackets
It seems that the combinations that work best are those that contrast the most: i.e. the more feminine the material and cut, the more brash and masculine the jacket should be.
Billowy chiffon gowns can work amazingly well with all manner of jackets, but if you harness this look, then make sure you’re really pulling ideas from opposite ends of the spectrum by pairing them with denim, leather motorcycle jackets, or menswear-inspired blazers.
Peach: Vanessa Jackman | Grey: Grazia | Floral: Atlantic-Pacific | Blue: love Maegan
Men’s Hats and/or Ties with Feminine Chic
If you’ve ever seen the film The Unbearable Lightness of Being, you might remember that Sabina paired a man’s bowler hat with everything she wore, and that fashion statement actually works quite well for many women. A men’s porkpie hat or flat cap can look adorable with a short summery dress and cardigan, while a fedora would look incredible with a long silk gown.
One key aspect of pulling off this style is to wear some item that is very feminine to contrast the masculinity of the other accessories, as described above. If you’re decked out entirely in menswear, you can break things up with some bold lipstick, and if you’re dressed to the nines in office attire (pencil skirt, blouse, and stiletto heels), put on a tie, wear a fedora at a jaunty angle, and slap on enough mascara to make Brigitte Bardot look like a lightweight.
Flat Cap: wwwomen | Fedora: Le Blog de Betty | Bowler: ModCloth | Wide Brim: Lookbook
Ultra Bold Workwear
Imagine a sleek work ensemble that just happens to have a splash of magenta leopard print added to it. Sounds like a fashion nightmare, but strangely enough, it can look absolutely brilliant if done right. The key is to not go totally overboard with mis-matched colours, prints and patterns, but to just have one or two solid pieces that light fireworks within the outfit.
You can absolutely pair brights and prints, but remember that contrast and concord are to be aimed for: not conflict.
Magenta and Houndstooth: LuckyMag | Print and Leopard: Sole Society | Orange Garden: Evening Standard
Overalls and Girly Shoes
The “farmer style” seems to be cropping up all over the place, wherein girls are prancing around in overalls (with or without shirts underneath), unruly hair, and little makeup. Interestingly enough, this ensemble is often seen paired with high heels, creating a visually stunning contrast with the opposing accoutrements.
Of course, if the idea of traipsing around in overalls is completely appalling, you could tone this down by just pairing your favourite jeans with a jumper and heels, thus avoiding the farm-girl connotations while still being cheeky with style choices.
Denim and Snakeskin: Lookbook | Dots and Blue: Trendmill | Black Leather: Tomboy BKLYN | Faded: Hey Fran Hey
