Stripes Week Part 2: How to Style Stripes with Prints

Part 2 of Stripes Week on House Of Jeffers is all about mixing stripes with prints. Personally, this one is my absolute favorite pairing to wear in the summer.

Although all stripe/print pairings are not a match made in heaven. The key to rocking stripes with your favorite pattern, whether its a pair of printed pants, a floral skirt, or reversing the combo with a striped skirt, lies is this: 

Size does matter.

*If the stripes are thin (seersucker or pinstripes), you can pair the piece with a larger floral print.

*wide, bold bar stripes should be worn with a smaller, abstract pattern that doesn't have too much space in between the actual print. Negative space on prints, when worn with stripes, tends to create an effect where the outfit looks uncoordinated and blocky.

However, you do want that mix-matched look - only the prints should complement, not overpower one another.

For my outfit, I'm sporting the wide stripe, small print duo with the latest additions to my growing Alex and Ani collection. I feel so naked without my bracelets. This trio of crystal bangles and my favorite Alex and Ani bracelet, the Plume Feather Wrap, gives me a little bit of sparkle.

Striped V-Neck Tee - Victoria's Secret / Floral Print Skirt - Forever 21 / Vintage 66 Blush Mirage Wrap Bracelet & Gleam Wrap Bracelet - c/o Alex and Ani / Plume Feather Wrap - Alex and Ani / Fringe Crossbody Bag - Brandy Melville (similar style) / Laser Cut Studded Lace-Up Peep Toe Wedge - Charlotte Russe

Naming Conventions

As a child of the 80s, that means I'm one of how many millions of Jennifers in the country. Even my best friend's name is Jen (not the reason we're besties). I used to not like my full name since it was very common, and what was even worse was being called "Jenny", a nickname I didn't choose for myself but was dubbed with. 

However, that opinion changed back in my teens, and now, I really love my name. Yes, it's common, but I like to think I'm a rather uncommon Jen. 

And at one point, I thought about changing my blog name... I questioned if it really represented me and my blog. But, as you can see, it's now proudly adorned in gold thanks to Onecklace.com, who let me created a personalized necklace! No plans to change House Of Jeffers into something else since it's part of my last name. 

So what's in a name? Everything!

Favorite Short Sleeve T-Shirt - Gap / Polka Dot Jeans - Forever 21 / Tortoise Shell Sunglasses - H&M / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel / Gold Cap Toe Flats - c/o Charlotte Russe / House Of Jeffers personalized necklace - c/o Onecklace.com / Bracelets - Unique Thrift / Buckle Ring - Henri Bendel

Sunnies and Spikes

I'm really not ready for summer to be over. Especially when it means I can still wear dresses like this.

While I told myself I would stop buying summer clothes a couple of weeks ago, I managed to sneak one more dress into my closet for August. I picked this floral number up from Urban Outfitters in Westfield, NJ after a blogger reunion with one of my favorite people, Amanda of FashionbleeMe, last weekend during her trip to NJ! So glad I get to a.) not only catch up with her whenever she visits. but b.) call her my friend. 

What I Wore:

Floral Print Sabrina Shirt Dress - Urban Outfitters / Ghillie Wedge - c/o Charlotte Russe / Peek-A-Boo Sparkle Cuff - c/o Sorrelli / Spiked Chain Friendship Bracelet, Part of the Ettika x House Of Jeffers stack - c/o Ettika / Spiked Purple Bangle - BaubleBar / Nameplace ring - Etsy.com / Lady Luck Sunglasses - Lulus.com

I love the cut of this shirt dress so much, I might go back and buy it in pink! 

Cut It Out

I have to admit that I was a little weary of cut-out dresses. Am I too old to wear a dress that exposes part of my mid-section? Perhaps. But, the Aztec print on this Charlotte Russe dress was screaming "Who cares? I'm an Aztec print, darn it! You know you want me... "

Having a part of my body that I normally don't show off being exposed took some getting used to. But, when I wore this dress, it happened to be 89 degrees out - so there was my excuse.

And if I happen to head to an outdoor concern this summer, say, one with Adam Levine and a band called Maroon 5, which I might have tickets for to see in August, I just might wear this dress in the off-chance that Mr. Levine sees me, and my midriff, in the crowd.

Dance it out, ya'll.

Outfit Details:

Cut-Out Aztec Print Dress - c/o Charlotte Russe (similar style) / Mini Blake Bag - Rebecca Minkoff / Ghillie Wedge - c/o Charlotte Russe (similar style) / Vintage Heart Necklace / Dual Tone Spike Bracelet - c/o Ettika, Part of the House Of Jeffers bracelet stack / Henri Bendel Bow Bracelet (similar style) / Gold Knuckle Ring - Urban Outfitters

LMD - Little Mint Dress

Somewhere in the midst of preparing for spring and summer, I ended up with a lot of mint green. And I mean a lot. Upon further inspection of my closet, turns out mint green is a close second to black in terms of colors of choice. As of this week, I've banned myself from buying any more black clothing.

And normally when I wear a dress with a definitive waistline, I belt it. But I wanted to go in a different direction with my LMD - Little Mint Dress. On my quest to stay away from buying another black belt, I figured I'd go for a versatile choice - a neon pink belt. 

My advice for pairing two bold brights:

Believe it or not, wearing two brights at once does work as long as you keep one part of your outfit a little more subdued. If the outfit is bright, keep the shoes neutral or go with a basic color.

Obviously, I'm breaking many fashion rules with this outfit, including mixing metals with silver jewelry and gold-accented ballet flats. Honestly, rules schmules. I wear what makes me feel good, and if that means being a fashion outcast... Oh well.

Thug life.                                                                 

 

Outfit:

Mint Green Lace Skater Dress - c/o Charlotte Russe / Neon Pink Belt - Forever 21

Metallic Cap Toe Ballet Flats - c/o Charlotte Russe  / 2 Bandits Naja Cuff /

Antique Mood Ring - my mother's / Bow Necklace - Gypsy Warrior

Putting Down Roots

Outfit:

Tie Dye Print Dress - Missguided / Maroon Leggings - Zara

Cap Toe Flats - c/o Charlotte Russe / Black Satchel - Zara
 Round Frame Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

Even though I'm only a 45 minute train ride away from New York City, I rarely venture there. It can be a tad tedious to get there sometimes, especially after a full work day.

But when I do go into New York, I'm always discovering something new. In this case, my best friend took me to Dumbo for Craftacular. I have to admit, Dumbo wasn't what I expected. It's artsy, it's got so much character, and I think it'd be a place I'd live if I was younger. 

And while New Jersey doesn't have the best reputation, it's always been my home, and I can't imagine leaving it, or my family.

Kaleidoscope Dream

I think I've pretty much got every color of the rainbow covered in this kaleidoscope print dress. Although my all-time favorite print is a striped anything, I made a commitment this spring to think beyond horizontals and verticals... So, when a print throws up on your dress, it can be a good thing. Totally having a kaleidoscope dream moment in this dress.

Outfit:

Kaleidoscope Print Dress - ShopSosie.com/ Urban Expressions Handbag (purchased at South Moon Under), Black Leggings - Target / Zip Back Ghillie Wedge - c/o Charlotte Russe / L.O.V.E. belt - Forever 21 / Heart Shaped Cuff - Urban Outfitters /  Blue Jean Dream Snowflake Cocktail Ring - c/o Sorrelli Jewelry

New Jersey is finally getting hit with some warm weather. Mother Nature was absolutely on the top of my S&*! List, but she's redeemed herself now that it's officially pedicure season. Lotion up, ladies.