I'm a stylist - so I work with tons of different color, pattern, and style combinations on a regular basis. I balance what a client likes most with what works best for her lifestyle and bodytype with what makes her feel amazing. But, I do have some favorites - specific colors that I love together, prints that I always enjoy playing with, and style themes that I juxtapose for fun and interest.

So what are my (current) favorite style combos???

NEUTRALS & TEXTURE

Texture is an incredible way to bring interest to an outfit, without relying on color or print (or shine!). And it gives you something to play with all day - brush your hands against your velvet pants in a less-than-exciting work meeting, or encourage someone to touch your soft-as-a-kitten fur jacket if you want them to get a little closer.

Neutrals come in a range of hues and shades - so whether you choose warm butterscotch and camels, pale to mid-range greys, or inky blacks - they show off texture without the competition or distraction of color.

I cannot tell a lie - my favorite way to show off texture is with the palest of pale colors.  White, ivory cream, eggshell - all these shades make texture the spotlight in stunning monochromatic looks. — I cannot tell a lie - my favorite way to show off texture is with the palest of pale colors. White, ivory cream, eggshell - all these shades make texture the spotlight in stunning monochromatic looks.

I created this look for a client, as a fun 'date night' outfit that's a bit different from her everyday.  The best thing is that it's so simple - a textured ivory top, white jeans, wear-with-everything nude sandals, and some gold jewelry, and s… — I created this look for **a client**, as a fun 'date night' outfit that's a bit different from her everyday. The best thing is that it's so simple - a textured ivory top, white jeans, wear-with-everything nude sandals, and some gold jewelry, and she's out the door...

This look is from a previous blog post, where I extolled the virtues of shades of white in winter.  I love how this look combines large scale lace with a boiled wool jacket, accented by a studded clutch and metallic snake-print heels.  It'… — This look is from a **previous blog post**, where I extolled the virtues of shades of white in winter. I love how this look combines large scale lace with a boiled wool jacket, accented by a studded clutch and metallic snake-print heels. It's very girly, but with a dose of edge, and I just love that!

There is definitely something to be said for darker neutrals as a showcase for texture.  What makes this so exciting is the range of color within the textures - the fur collar ranges from dark charcoal to almost white, the tweedy sweater has fl… — There is definitely something to be said for darker neutrals as a showcase for texture. What makes this so exciting is the range of color within the textures - the fur collar ranges from dark charcoal to almost white, the tweedy sweater has flecks of ivory, and the houndstooth dress provides even deeper contrast. *(Photo from **9to5Chic**)*

PINK & BLUE

When I talk about pink and blue, I don't intend to conjure notions of pale baby blue and soft blush pink. My favorite pairings are strong pinks - from incandescent hot pink to blazing fuchsia to saturated dark pinks - balanced with the coolness of navy or cobalt or something in between.

Fuchsia and cobalt - one of my favorite combos!  It works in all seasons, and will be sure to get you noticed. — Fuchsia and cobalt - one of my favorite combos! It works in all seasons, and will be sure to get you noticed.

I created this outfit for a client who works in a very business casual office, but wanted to crank it up a notch.  So we took a navy dot blouse and white jeans (already in her closet) and added this wrap cardigan for a look that's professional … — I created this outfit for a client who works in a very business casual office, but wanted to crank it up a notch. So we took a navy dot blouse and white jeans (already in her closet) and added this wrap cardigan for a look that's professional and polished, but not stuffy or too dressed up.

The same client (as above) has occasional dressier days at work - so I again grabbed the fuchsia cardigan, and paired it with an indigo dress.  She can take this outfit from workday to dinner with clients, without missing a beat. — The same client (as above) has occasional dressier days at work - so I again grabbed the fuchsia cardigan, and paired it with an indigo dress. She can take this outfit from workday to dinner with clients, without missing a beat.

You can play with fun color combinations whether you're dressed up or dressed down.  On the weekend, pair jeans with a navy striped t-shirt and pop color cardigan.  It's infinitely more stylish than wearing yoga pants all day, but just as … — You can play with fun color combinations whether you're dressed up or dressed down. On the weekend, pair jeans with a navy striped t-shirt and pop color cardigan. It's infinitely more stylish than wearing yoga pants all day, but just as easy to pull together.

If you prefer to stick to one major dose of color in your clothes, how about a pop color accessory?  I love the way the cobalt heels add something extra to the look, much more than black heels would.  Playing with color expresses your pers… — If you prefer to stick to one major dose of color in your clothes, how about a pop color accessory? I love the way the cobalt heels add something extra to the look, much more than black heels would. Playing with color expresses your personality, lets them know you're a bit daring, and that you don't mind being the center of attention!

TWEED & FLORAL

Tweed and floral are a texture and print combo that I return to, year after year. Maybe it has something to do with the contrast of a traditional menswear fabric against a decidedly womanly print, or when hard and soft marry in one outfit - but I will always enjoy it as an unexpected way to embrace fall.

The most straightforward way to enjoy this style duo is by taking your trusty tweed jacket, and wearing it over a floral blouse and jeans.  Simple, fun, and done! — The most straightforward way to enjoy this style duo is by taking your trusty tweed jacket, and wearing it over a floral blouse and jeans. Simple, fun, and done!

The shades of tweed and floral are up to you - you can go with earth toned neutrals, or base your look in deep navy or black.  The easiest way is to coordinate is to go for separate pieces that are based in similar colors for a can't-miss combo. — The shades of tweed and floral are up to you - you can go with earth toned neutrals, or base your look in deep navy or black. The easiest way is to coordinate is to go for separate pieces that are based in similar colors for a can't-miss combo.

I created this look for a previous blog post about how to make florals feel modern.  This example combines the boldness of black and white with the sweetness of a floral print, and with the edge of (faux) leather pants and sleek accessories. — I created this look for a **previous blog post** about how to make florals feel modern. This example combines the boldness of black and white with the sweetness of a floral print, and with the edge of (faux) leather pants and sleek accessories.

This outfit is from a client's look book - she's a stay-at-home mom with a busy schedule, and definitely didn't want to join the activewear crowd.  So we based the look in navy - blue jeans, navy floral blouse, and navy tweed blazer.  On t… — This outfit is from **a client's look book** - she's a stay-at-home mom with a busy schedule, and definitely didn't want to join the activewear crowd. So we based the look in navy - blue jeans, navy floral blouse, and navy tweed blazer. On the surface it's simple, but it shows her love of fashion.

MASCULINE & FEMININE

Wearing men's-inspired pieces with feminine styles is a modern way to build a look with interest and some intrigue. Much like tweed and floral, it's the joining of two fashion opposites, which is always a bit of a surprise - and who doesn't like a surprise?

A very of-the-moment look is a dressy dress with a leather moto jacket.  It's the epitome of masculine and feminine, and is an exciting way to play with the concept. — A very of-the-moment look is a dressy dress with a leather moto jacket. It's the epitome of masculine and feminine, and is an exciting way to play with the concept.

I love how these two outfits are feminine on the surface, but play with 'borrowed from the boys' style, if you look a little deeper.  Slit skirts contrast with oversize sweaters and flats that are rooted in menswear - all in a soft palette… — I love how these two outfits are feminine on the surface, but play with 'borrowed from the boys' style, if you look a little deeper. Slit skirts contrast with oversize sweaters and flats that are rooted in menswear - all in a soft palette that belies the power of the looks.

I created this outfit (previously on the blog) to demonstrate how menswear has influenced women's style.  It's based in almost all traditional male silhouettes - the only things that give a nod to women's fashion are the floral print, the … — I created this outfit (**previously on the blog**) to demonstrate how menswear has influenced women's style. It's based in almost all traditional male silhouettes - the only things that give a nod to women's fashion are the floral print, the cut of the blazer - and perhaps the green gloves?

I LOVE this lace pencil skirt/chambray shirt combo I created for my client.  It's masculine vs. feminine, lace vs, denim, sexy vs. utilitarian - delicious! — I LOVE this lace pencil skirt/chambray shirt combo I created for **my client**. It's masculine vs. feminine, lace vs, denim, sexy vs. utilitarian - delicious!

I'm truly inspired by how this street-style maven turns menswear on it's head with these floral blazers.  There's no doubt that she's a woman, but she definitely knows how to play the game... — I'm truly inspired by how this street-style maven turns menswear on it's head with these floral blazers. There's no doubt that she's a woman, but she definitely knows how to play the game...

STRIPES & OTHER PRINTS

As I was selecting photos for this blog post, I was in a bit of a quandary. Do I go with stripes and florals, one of my style go-to's? Or do I stick with geometry, and choose stripes and dots? Maybe stripes and mini-prints? And then I realized I love it all - stripes are such a dependable print, and they offer unparalleled (pun intended) support to multitudes of other pattern options - so why pick just one?