10 ways to add texture to your ensemble
September 23rd, 2008I adore clothing, shoes and accessories with interesting textures because they add aesthetic appeal and depth to an ensemble. Textures generate charm because they create contrast (the same way bold colours can do so). A monochromatic outfit looks infinitely better when the items are texture-rich.
A recent Nordstrom catalog did a brilliant job of summarizing ways in which you can add texture to your Autumn and Winter wardrobe. Here’s the lowdown (their categories, my words):
- A feminine blouse with ruffles creates a strong contrast against wools and tweeds. If ruffles aren’t your thing, try blouses in iridescent fabrications, lace, jacquards or satin.
- Booties with patent, mock croc, sueded or distressed leather trims do wonders to enhance an outfit.
- Coats made of mottled tweeds or abstract jacquards stand out. So do coats with leather trims and fabrics with sheen and luster.
- Cheeky pencil skirts with kick-pleats, cascading waterfall ruffles and front ruching details look three-dimensional. Purchase them in interesting fabrics and you’ve taken texture to the top.
- Trousers in menswear fabrics like checks and tweeds are retro and scream Autumn.
- Soft knit sweater dresses are luscious against stiff, structured woven sateen trenches. Add sueded boots and you’re in business.
- Cropped jackets in leather, tartan, velvet and boiled wool look particularly good against stiff jeans.
- Hosiery is the easiest way to add texture to a skirt or frock ensemble. Think delicate florals, geometric shapes, antique lace, crocodile patterns or micro fishnets.
- Simpler embossed or quilted satchels are a nice change to plain leather handbags with excessive hardware. I love cracked patent, but rice-paper pleather is just as fab.
- Statement jewelry like cuffs with oversized stones, antique brooches or vintage glass rings are alternative ways of adding decorative texture to your look.
For some reason Nordies have left scarves off their list. I’m adding them in because they can add a super contrasting texture to an outfit. I personally like something soft and silky with leather or pleather jackets.
I love outfits with interesting textures. It’s my preferred way of dressing because I’m a sucker for nice fabric. One of my personal wardrobe rules is that if I’m going to buy an item in a neutral colour, it has to be textured. It prevents me from getting bored with the item and gives rise to neutral ensembles with loads of sass.
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Mixing and matching textures to create a contrast: (1) tweed and patent with denim, (2) shine with denim, (3) satin with leather and (4) ruffles with wool.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
Thank you, Angie, for giving us something to consider when trying to make an outfit more interesting. I especially appreciate your examples at the end of ideas to pair with denim, etc.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 am
whoa… idea overload… great stuff… will take some time to digest it all!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
What an amazing article Angie. Thank you for giving me loads of ideas to try out.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Oh my goodness, Angie, you have just clued me in to why my wardrobe choices often end up being so bland! All I choose is smooth, smooth, smooth, denim. Time to texture up! Thank you!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:43 am
Angie, the bit at the bottom looked like it was supposed to be describing photos. Is that right?
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
Thanks for the great ideas! I will spend some time in my closet thinking outside the box!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Great post- I also try to buy neutral with textures like ruching or intersting sleeves!
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
I’m happy to have planted texture seeds. Many of you are probably doing “the texture thing” instinctively already.
I know this is loads of info to absorb in one go, but we’ll tackle each item separately as the season progresses. Easy bite size chunks, I promise!
Quite right, Anne. Does the caption infer something else?
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Super advices! I felt like taking an advanced class, challenging but exciting.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Rerarding Anne’s last comment: The caption is there, but no photos! Love to see some along with your commentary on mixing and matching textures to create a contrast. Thanks, Angie!
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 am
I usually go monochromatic or do color blocking in the hopes of creating a longer line [read: make me look thinner] but my outfits also tend to be BOOORRING! [Picture here of Joanne Worley wearing feathers and coming out of a “Laugh In” joke window.] [Yes I have just totally dated myself].
Will have to start thinking about texture during the next few months…especially fall and winter, but I guess textures don’t necessarily have to be bulky, do they?
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Definitely food for thought! I tend to notice color and pattern much more when shopping or dressing than I notice texture, so I need to think outside the box more.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Super helpful! I am learning so much from this blog. It’s like a master class in style - thanks Angie.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Thanks, Angie, this is amazing! I think I’ll print it out and put it in my “shopping list” book and closet to remind me to mix textures. As someone who primarily wears neutrals, this is the kind of advice I need and will use often!!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Yes! Thanks so much for pointing us in the right direction. I never really thought of how important texture is.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I’m glad the info made sense. The devil is in the detail!
Mary and Anne, the pictures are back. Refreshing the page might help.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Really great post, Angie! I never really think about texture which probably explains why all of my outfits seem to be lacking something.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I’m a texture fiend, but never really thought much about how contrasting textures can emphasize the best qualities of both.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Even though texture is good, we have to watch where we put it, right? For example, a sweater with cables all over it can add weight and too much fabric right?
Smooth textures next to the body? Is that kind of a guideline?
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Amazing! I’m with Shiny… so many great ideas, so little time.
I’ll try to keep this in mind when I’m doing my fall shopping.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I still don’t see any pictures but looked at the Nordstroms link.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Sorry - still can’t see pics
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Our apologies, ladies. The problem has been fixed and the pics are back for good. Please refresh your pages.
Debbie, chunky knits are extremely hard to wear. I don’t consider them “texture” – they are bordering on bad style. I am slim and feel chunky in a chunky knit.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Thanks Angie - I can see them now
September 24th, 2008 at 3:58 am
Love this article. Gives me a whole new thought process when looking in my closet for an outfit. Texture I guess is really something I never thought about before. But you are really right, it is so important. I am so glad you brought this up. I am really excited to give this a whirl.
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