midweSTYLE: Gold and wine

Let's be honest and admit that at times it is difficult to mix color, patterns and print. Sometimes it takes work to see what goes with what and how to change up that wardrobe of yours. Other times, things just work together nicely. Here are some questions and a few of my personal suggestions of tackling these issues. For example:

Can you mix black with brown? Yeah, why not? Just balance it out with other neutrals. Charcoal blazer + charcoal pants + brown shoes + brown belt + white shirt + neutral tie = you're in the clear.

Can you wear two different patterns with one another? Hey, give it a go. If it looks too busy, then try something more subtle. [See photograph below with navy + wine checkered shirt (busy) with the wine + brown zig zag tie (subtle) to mesh things well.] If you're wearing a busy shirt with an obnoxious color or crazy print, you can tame it with a blazer or cardigan along with a neutral tie.

Can you wear two shades of black? Well, as long as the contrast isn't too noticeable. I mean, the suspenders match the socks and shoes, but the pants are a shade light since it's a charcoal tone. Just maybe not a third major shade of black.

There aren't hard and fast rules about mixing colors, prints and patterns. Just some helpful tips and suggestion on what some, many or very few think.

It's your call on how you mix and match ultimately, that's the beauty about style. It's yours.

I'm not much of a fan of silver, but baby, gimme dat gold watch.

$2.50 for a pair of Target socks that will match my skull-and-crossbones bow-tie that I'll acquire someday. And come on, for $2.50, guys. Easy.

Wine colored tie (gift) by rag & bone; wine and navy checked shirt (Halls, sale $30, reg. $99) by Scotch & Soda, small; black skinny suspenders with gold hardware (thrifted, $2.99); welt pocket pant in charcoal (Country Club Plaza, $60) by American Apparel, size 31; skull-and-crossbone socks (Target, $2.50) by Merona; thrifted soft black leather dress shoes ($5.99), size 11.

Photos by Seth Putnam.