Trendy Tuesday How-To: Mixing Stripes and Florals

I love the look of mixing patterns, and it totally beefs us the size and wearability of my closet because of how many more combinations I am able to create.

This season the unexpectedly chic mash-up of strips and florals is especially in style and easier to pull off than busier print-on-print combos. With roots in both boho and girly aesthetics, this mash-up is also one of the freshest ways to create an outfit that is casually fashion-forward.

But even daring fashionistas need help now and then putting a look together. Here are some style inspirations and tips from FINE to help you out!

Reese Witherspoon was spotted taking stripes and florals for a test run in L.A. She rocked a blue and white striped boatneck T-shirt with a flouncy blue and white floral skirt. (TIP: Tie your look together with accessories just as Reese did with her matching red shoes and purse.) With a conservative stripe and small floral, this is a very safe way to dip your toe into this trend.

While this photo of Whitney Port isn’t from this season, the black and white and striped jackets are so in right now, so her outfit is still very fresh. The perfect middle ground between Upper East Side chic and California casual, designers such as Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs offer similar jackets this season.

The most prevalent staple to create a stripe and floral outfit is the classic white and blue striped nautical shirt. For Spring 2013, J.Crew paired it with bold floral pants and a denim jacket.

A couple other tips on pattern mixing, particularity with florals and stripes:

1. If you are skeptical about pulling off the look its always easiest to wear hues that are in the same color family.
2. Keep accessories and shoes neutral. You are already snazzing it up with prints, keep everything else muted and basic!