Thursday, July 26, 2012

Reader's style challenge - how to wear scarves with patterend dresses

After the recent style request on how to mix scarves with patterned tops, a few readers have asked me how to wear scarves with patterned dresses. This presents a more difficult challenge, as the opportunity to create a rapport between the scarf and a pair of trousers is missing.

With just a dress to play with, the focus needs to be so much more on finding a rapport between the various elements of the prints and patternes (their type, size and colors). Further harmony can be created by adding bracelets or necklaces that pick up on the details of the scarf or dress.

When looking through my archives, I found a few examples to illustrate the above. Hope you'll enjoy seeing them in the new context.

De Madras à Zakynthos 90 Carré

The cream swirls of this silk dress remind me of water ripples, and it's turquoise blue color of the ionian sea in Greece. It could not be a more perfect backdrop for the turtle scarf, which refers to the amazing migrating journey of turtles from Madras, who return every year to their breeding grounds on the greek island of Zakynthos.


Scarf tying method: Ascot knot



Belles du Mexique 90 Mousseline



Au Coeur de la Vie 90 Mousseline


I've had this dress for a long time, and it's floral pattern always reminds me of a jungle. The colors of the Au Coeur de la Vie mousseline are not a 100% perfect match to the dress, but the jungle scenery and exotic foliage have such a similar atmosphere that they work beautifully together!

 


Chaînes et Gourmettes 70 Carré


I love this dress, but always felt there was too much of a gap in the pattern at the waist level. The ecru/silver Chaînes et Gourmettes worn as a sash seemed a perfect solution to this, so much that it looks as though it has become part of the dress.


Scarf tying method: in the basic bias fold, then placed around the waist with the ends secured in a double knot behind the back.



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29 comments:

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    1. Still boiling hot here in Australia as it is late summer. As I was doing a search for some accessorising ideas for the heat, I found this. A really great post and very clever, your analytical mind worked perfectly with your passion for fashion ! Thank you, I'm a new subscriber and I am really enjoying searching your site.

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    2. A very warm welcome to you! It is so nice to know how you found my site, and thank you also for the lovely comment. Hope the temperatures will cool down soon, and have a happy autumn ahead!

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  2. Every single dress is lovely. Sigh.

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  3. Hi,
    at frist I love You blog and especailly Your Grace Kelly style. You know "Blonde and Polished". I bought my fist carré 1982 and collected over the years. So I have some old figural patterns as "Napoleon" or
    "Hommage a Charles Garnier" and so on. What do You think, how to wear this scarfs?
    Kindest regards
    Sanne

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    1. Many thanks Sanne, it is so nice to hear you enjoy the posts. The scarves you mentioned are beautiful, and I love your style challenge. At the moment, our hot weather limits the scarf knots for a blog post, but looking forward to coming back to your question once autumn arrives!

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  4. I so admire your ability to create harmony with these patterns , my favourite must be Belles de Mexique as I loved this mousseline the first time I saw it on your site..
    I echo the Grace Kelly polished look as epitomising your style .
    I can't work this style myself, but love seeing it others...especially you !

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    1. Many thanks for the lovely comment, dear Estrella. You are so gracious and kind.

      The Belles is such a lovely and pretty scarf, I love it too :-)

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  5. MaiTai, these are all just beautiful examples. In each case the dress is wonderful by itself but by adding the scarf, you knockit out of the park. Fantastic!

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    1. Many thanks dear Bliss.. Happy you enjoyed the 'scarf-ing up'!

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  6. These are fabulous combinations, MaiTai. I am especially enamoured by the colourblock dress and C&G scarf version. Isn't the Farandole the perfect necklace to wear with this dress/scarf? I tend to match key colours of a scarf to a dress, my own version of matchy-matchy. Oh and thanks for the sunshine, we had a cracker of a summer week here and it has been lovely (if maybe rather tiring to work). Have a great weekend!

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    1. I remember how excited I was when spotting the Farandole on the CetG! Thank you for sharing your version of mix and match, looking forward to trying it out. Have a happy and sunny Sunday!

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  7. Fantastic! Would never have thought to try combining patterned scarf with patterned dress, but with these guides, am going to give it a try! Thanks! Always look forward to your posts!!

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    1. Many thanks, dear Gina. Have fun experimenting!

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  8. Every dress/scarf combination is wonderful. Just perfect.

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    1. So lovely to hear you enjoyed the post, thank you Susan!

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  9. Hello MaiTai. I discovered your blog last month and have been busy reading old posts. I adore your style; it is my style but so, so much more polished. I've been a scarf convert since my second trip to France in 2006, and I have a nice collection, but have never made the jump to Hermes. Now have decided to take the plunge and purchase one or two this year. I've read your scarf-buying/selecting posts; very helpful. I've visited the H store in Boston (right next door to my favorite Ann Fontaine!). I'll be in France in September (Paris and Aix-en-Provence). Would you advise purchasing here, or waiting till I'm abroad? (pricewise, selection-wise, helpfulness of SAs, etc.) Also, I speak some French, but slowly and with a fairly limited vocabulary. Will this be a problem in H stores in France? Many thanks! Love your blog. Tina

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    1. A warm welcome to this blog, dear Tina! Many congratulations on your first H scarves, and glad to hear the post on buying/selecting was useful. A scarf bought in Paris or Aix would be a lovely souvenir from your trip, and price wise you will do better when buying them in France (310 EUR). Since you are from outside the EU, you can also get a tax refund. The SAs are very helpful in both stores, but the scarf counter at FSH can get very busy, especially in the afternoons. You won't have any problems communicating in English, but any effort to speak French is usually much appreciated. Even if it is just a courteous 'bonjour' when you enter the store! Wishing you a great trip, and much fun chosing your new scarf :-)

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  10. How I love these comparative studies, my dearest MaiTai - you truly are a master teacher. I adore each ensemble. You brought together the elements that work to create a harmonious whole, articulated how and why your pairings work in the simplest, most concise way; and you've assembled it all together so we can more fully understand and appreciate the basic principles. You're teaching us the most valuable lessons, dear MaiTai. I am just in total awe of you. I will miss you tons while away, but look forward to coming back to my favorite blog <3 All my love to you with biggest friendship hugs xox
    PS You are too kind and generous in your compliments….if I blush any more, I will totally become one with my new gorgeous Ms. Indigo <3

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    1. I thought you'd might enjoy the post, my dearest Scarf Enthusiast! From past studies I remember how much we both love the play with nuances and details <3 Wishing you safe and happy travels, and looking foward to when you will be back again. Will miss you much(and everyone else will too!). Fondest hugs and bisous xxx

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  11. Dearest MaiTai

    I totally agree with dear Scarf Enthusiast!
    Love all the looks! You´re such a wonderful teacher!
    Though on holidays, I can´t help looking at my favourite blog once in a while :) Hope you have a lovely weekend and send you frienship hugs too, M xx

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    1. Hope you'll continue to have a wonderful holiday, my dear Manuela! We miss you, of course! Have a wonderful weekend too xx

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  12. the scarf around the waist on that dress looks fantastic!

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  13. Love the last look! It made me squeal delightfully, which was also quite a shock to hear myself get so excited about a scarf belt tied around a dress with a coordinated chain. Great look! I bought my first Hermes scarf last year but haven't worn it much yet. This site is inspiring :)

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