Shopping Our Closets: Casual Fall Look with Print Mixing

I am honestly trying to get back to regular posting, but 2026 has been kicking our butts. I have been struggling with my health symptoms as per usual, but yesterday I felt like I was getting a full blown sinus infection. The problem with these types of infections is that they simmer for weeks before actually turning into an actual infection. Unfortunately during that simmer time I feel extremely fatigued and unable to do anything extra. Yesterday, besides the pressure and pain in my head and face, I also had the congestion and the fatigue was overwhelming. I actually laid on the couch at one point in the afternoon and took a power nap just to get through the day. I started using colloidal silver in my neti pot yesterday morning and today, I already am feeling a little better. Hopefully, the upward progress will continue.

For today’s post I am using an outfit I wore one day last week and thought to take pictures of. I was going to post last week, but we were just too busy, so I gave myself some leeway. When you are already stressed because of what life is bringing to the table, you certainly don’t need to add getting down on yourself for all the things you feel you are not doing.

Since my Autumn/Winter Pantone series is over I decided to get back to my regular monthly columns. Today we are shopping our closets for simple easy printed pieces that can be combined for a fun, casual and comfortable look that is perfect for watching the grandkids, running to get groceries, or just hanging out at home.

If you have been reluctant to get on the print mixing wagon, now is the time to try it out. Fall is perfect for layering, and fun fall prints like dark florals, rich plaids and holiday graphics are just waiting to be seen together. For this outfit I chose plaid and autumn leaves for a color clash that seems like it was made to go together.

Style Tip: When mixing prints try to pull similar colors from both pieces. Also, pairing a larger print with a smaller print usually makes a more eye pleasing mix.

For this look the first piece I chose was this fun leaf print tee that I thrifted at the end of the summer. This is a brand called Hybrid. I love the burgundy background color and the pretty red, gold and light brown leaves. It is a light weight, stretchy knit so perfect for layering under other pieces. Even though the front tuck seems to be on again, off again I still use it to help disguise my love handles. I lost those pesky things when I lost weight. Unfortunately, I have gained it all back so they thought it necessary to return. Ha, ha. Here are a few long sleeve fall tee options from Cabelas, Kohl’s, and Talbots.

Once I chose the long sleeve tee I remembered this yellow and burgundy, SO plaid that I thrifted a few years ago. I was so tickled that these two pieces when together so well. Here are some options from Kohl’s, Land’s End, JCPenney, Old Navy, Walmart, and Amazon.

As you can see in the above picture there are light blue stripes in the shirt, thus my reason for choosing light wash jeans, and light blue accessories. My jeans were a sale purchase at Maurice’s a few years ago. These are a great in between seasons jean as they are lighter weight, and quite comfortable due to the stretch factor. These pics are a bit washed out due to the bright sunshine. Usually the best light for my phone is deeper shade. Check out some of Maurice’s jeans.

You’ve seen these Converse sneakers plenty of times since I got them on sale at DSW. The light blue is a great color for spring, summer and into fall, but I will put them away once the temps decide to be more fall like. Boots are my norm for the cooler weather. Here are some Converse sneakers from DSW.

My bag was a thrift find. I like the distressed, almost denim look to the material. Cross body bags are my bag of choice since I like to have my hands free when I am out and about. Here are a number of blue crossbody bags also from DSW.

My jewelry was blend of pieces. The leaf necklace I purchased up north at an art gallery a few years ago. The bracelets are pieces I have collected over the years mostly clearance purchases.

If you are interested in a leaf necklace or pendant for fall here are some beautiful options from Etsy.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you be able to put something together like this by shopping your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave me some love in the comments.

Shopping links are included for you to enjoy. These are brought to you at no additional cost and I do not receive any money through these sites.

Have a great week.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Plaid Bomber Jacket - Outfit 2

This second look featuring my plaid bomber jacket from Eden Fashion Boutique, might seem a tad overwhelming if you are new to print mixing. Some might say there is too much going on, but I think it works. In fact, it was this combination that inspired me to use the plaid bomber as a print mixer in the first place. Besides, why not get a little crazy once in a while!

When I saw this multi print tunic hanging in my closet, I thought this might be a good opportunity to get it out. This festive, colorful roz & Ali piece is a past purchase from dressbarn. I think of it as a party shirt. It seems so bright, cheery and happy, that it just wants to dance and party. That’s a little bit of a contrast to my more subdued, introverted nature, but it is good to get out of our comfort zones once in a while.

Pairing it with the plaid jacket, I let it hang around for a while and kept looking at it, wondering how I could make it work for this print mixing series. Then I remembered my thrifted, cobalt blue, Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.

You can see more of the details in this photo. The tunic has a lace up v-neck. Since there is already so much going on with the print, I opted for shorter necklaces in a more classic style. Rev it up and tone it down. I know some might go for bright beads in various lengths, but my objective with this outfit was to party, but party conservatively. That’s me in a nutshell. I don’t drink, but I do like to dance. I also liked the way the pearls and black cord on the choker, compliment the black and white stripes on the jacket.

Funny story about these cobalt shoes. I have had these shoes for a long time. I’ve worn them on the blog before with various outfits and I really like that they are so bright. The last time I remembered wearing them for the blog was summer of last year. My daughter and son-in-law were in the process of moving out of their apartment into a house and we had planned a shoot at the apartment complex so I could help do some packing. That was the last time I ever saw them (the shoes, not my daughter and son-in-law). I thought for sure, they had gotten thrown away in the chaos of helping to pack and purge at the apartment. I gave them up for lost, even though I searched my house all over thinking I may have just misplaced them when I got home to put things away after the shoot.

The other day when I was working on outfits for this series, I was going through shoe boxes looking for some of the pairs I had put away that were more spring/summery. Lo and behold there my shoes were in a box in my closet. Ha, ha, ha. Maybe I am starting to lose the plot, as my hubby likes to say. Dementia is highly likely with my family history, but I just pray I’ll be sweet!

This bag is another thrift store find. I like the style. Now, being a fashion blogger, I do have a few Pinterest boards, that I like to play with. I need to do more with those, but there are only so many hours in a day, as everyone of you know. However, I do have a board that is called Fashion Vocabulary and I put things on there like different types of bag styles, dress styles, skirt lengths, heel heights and so on. Anyway, I looked for the proper name for this bag and I would say that it is a hybrid between a doctor bag and a barrel bag. A true doctor bag style would have a metal frame connected to the opening. So now you know.

I personally feel, what makes this outfit work is the bright blue pants and shoes. Obviously, you could have done the same thing with black pants or a skirt, or orange. The solid color ties the two pieces together, and compliments the blues in each pieces.

What do you think? Am I helping you to get over your fear of print mixing? I certainly hope that these posts are inspiring you to think outside your fashion box.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to have fun with. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own.