Markdown Mondays: Stripes, Stripes and More Stripes

Happy Lunar New Year of the Fire Monkey, everyone! May it bring you prosperity, love, abundance, joy & peace.

Even though the groundhog didn’t see his shadow (or whatever the prediction is) and we’re close to Spring, it still feels miles away with intermittent snow and rain we’ve been having in the North-East.

Today’s #MarkdownMondays is designed to put a little “spring” in your step (pun intended!) with a variety of striped pieces. While stripes are a super popular pattern and most of us probably have at least one striped piece of in our closets, they can also be tricky to master. I’d like to share a couple of styling tips that are important to remember when wearing stripes:

1. Mind the width – horizontal stripes tend to draw the eye outward and can accentuate width as opposed to length – making your body appear larger/wider. When choosing a stripe to wear, try to find a width that complements the scale of your features/assets. If you are larger-framed, you can pull off some wider stripes (like the Phase Eight Sandie Stripe Woven Hem Top from Bloomingdales), while if you’re very petite, you might want to stick to thinner stripes (like in the Mixed Stripe Dress from Anthropologie).
2. Vertical vs horizontal – when you want to exaggerate length as opposed to width (think appearing taller and slimmer), choose stripes going up and down as opposed to side-to-side. You can also use the slightly diagonal trick like in the Ann Taylor striped scarf – which will keep the eye moving up and down, helping you create visual interest.
3. Color is important. We all know that the most fun & “french girl” stripe patterns is black and white. But the black and white combo can be a little strong for someone with a more fair complexion with less contrast in their features. Opting for a color-on-color stripe can still bring in the pattern’s playfulness into your look without looking too stark and overpowering.
4. Mixing stripes with other stripes or patterns can be fun, but might present a bit of a challenge as it can start to look busy. I usually recommend pairing stripes with a bold color or a neutral – allowing each element to have equal play.

Please check out all the shopping details below.

What’s your favorite striped piece in your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy – Happy Styling!

xo,

1.Ann Taylor Striped Scarf $41.65 (was $59.50)

By Ann Taylor
Cast in a spectrum of the season’s most coveted shades, this statement scarf is an essential add-on that complements any outfit
Light fringe at ends
Style #399402
85% Modal/15% Silk
Imported
Get this item from Ann Taylor!

2.On Purpose Striped Beaded Clutch $168.00 (was $198.00)

By Kate Spade
Get inspired – this beaded clutch was handcrafted on purpose by the artisans of masoro: 150 talented rwandan women reshaping the lives of 20,000 people in their community
Size: 7.3″h x 10.2″ w x 0.75″d
Material: nylon with glass beads
Satin twill lining
14 karat gold plated hardware
Style # uvru0051
Clutch with zip top closure
Keychain with gorilla charm and beaded ball detail
Made in rwanda
Get this item from Kate Spade!

3.TIPPI STRIPED SWEATER WITH SHOULDER BUTTONS $63.75 (was $85.00)

By JCrew
Merino wool
Rib trim at cuffs and hem
Dry clean
Import
Semifitted
Body length: 24 1/2″
Sleeve length: 27″
Hits at hip
Get this item from JCrew!

4.Mixed Stripe Dress $69.95 (was $138.00)

By Anthropologie
Rayon, polyester, cotton, spandex knit
Pullover styling
Dry clean
Made in USA
Style No. 4130212061977
Dimensions: Regular falls 37″ from shoulder; Petite falls 34.25″ from shoulder
Hits at mid-thigh
Get this item from Anthropologie!

5.Phase Eight Sandie Stripe Woven Hem Top $63.00 (was $90.00)

By Bloomingdales
Round neck, long sleeves, striped
Solid contrast hem
Viscose/polyester/elastane; trim: polyester
Machine wash or dry clean
Imported
Web ID: 1539849
Get this item from Bloomingdales!

Note: I’m not affiliated with any of the stores, just a fan 🙂