Fashion
How to mix textures in an outfit like a pro
Textural overload is on trend, so it’s a great time to learn the art of mixing fabrics weights and finishes for high-impact outfits.
Knowing how to mix textures effectively can elevate your style from simple to stunning. Textural variety adds depth and personality — without going over-the-top the way bold patterns and colors can. You can use texture plays to build outfits that are subtle but also sophisticated and unique.
So let’s get into it. Here’s the texture mixing guide that’ll get you through this winter in style.
Understanding texture in fashion

Texture is a fabric’s surface quality — that is, how it feels, looks, and hangs. Three main contributors to a fabric’s texture are:
- Fiber content
- Construction type — whether it’s woven, knit, felted, etc.
- Finishing — whether it’s embossed, brushed, etc.
Textures have moods and personalities. For example:
- Ultra-smooth textures are often elegant and sophisticated. Think leather, silk, and satin.
- Looped yarn fabrics (knits) are cozy and casual. Jersey knits, rib knits, cable knits, terry cloth, and velour are in this category.
- Rougher textures like tweed and denim are more rugged and have a warmer personality.
- Soft and fluffy textures are rich and luxurious. These are your faux furs, cashmeres, and velvets.
- Crisp and stiff textures like taffeta and organza are voluminous and dramatic.
Texture also affects fit. In short, the weights and feels of the fabrics you wear are impactful — often more impactful to your style than your choice of colors.
10 strategies for mixing textures
Fashion never has to follow rules, but guidelines can help you adopt a new style convention with confidence. Keep these strategies in mind as you create your own unique textural plays.
Start with a statement texture
Here’s a fashion secret: The ‘statement’ approach is an easy and low-risk way to try out any new style for the first time. All you have to do is create a neutral backdrop and deploy the new style as a single statement to the outfit. Applying this approach to textures, you could combine a very neutral chambray dress and with a fringed suede or taffeta handbag as your textural statement.
Balance matte and shine
Shiny and shimmery textures can turn gaudy if you go overboard. Avoid that by teaming your sequins and silks with flatter, non-reflective fabrics like cotton, denim, or wool.
Mix opposites
Hard fabrics and soft fabrics make great partners. Same goes for fluid fabrics and structured ones. Pairing contrasting textures creates a sophisticated, high-style look.
Don’t go overboard
Too much texture isn’t a good thing, even in seasons when textural layering is on trend. Unless you can masterfully combine fabrics, more than three textural elements in one outfit is probably too many.
Use texture to draw the eye
As with colors, bold textures draw the eye away from matte and flat fabrics. You know a bold texture when you see it — sequins, velvets, and embellished pieces fall into this category. If you want to highlight your cleavage, wear a top with texture at the neckline. Alternatively, show off those great legs with a sequined skirt.
Play to the season or occasion
Knits are at home in the winter, just as linens feel right in the summer. Similarly, denim fits for Saturday afternoon sports-watching, while silk is a better choice for a cocktail party. Recognize the season, occasion, venue, or crowd you’re dressing for and let that guide you to the right texture choices.
Lean into monochromatic palettes
When you are mixing textures, the color scheme plays a role in creating a cohesive look. A monochromatic color palette allows the different textures to stand out without overwhelming the eye. A bolder mix of colors is riskier when you’re also pairing textures — your outfit can easily end up confusing instead of cohesive.
Accessorize with textures
Try a chunky knit scarf with a smooth leather jacket for a tactile contrast, or pair a beaded necklace with a simple cotton dress to add depth and personality. You’re golden as long as your accessories complement the existing textures in your outfit, rather than competing with them.
Experiment with layering
Here is a basic textural layering formula (which you may already be using without thinking about it): Start with a base layer of a smooth texture, such as a cotton t-shirt, and then add different textures like a denim jacket or a chunky knit cardigan. As you build on lower layers, consider the weight and thickness of each texture to avoid bulking up in an unflattering way.
Wear mixed-media pieces
If all else fails, buy tops or jackets that mix textures for you. Mixed-media pieces like dresses with sheer panels, moto jackets with fur collars, and shoes that combine patent and suede are easy entry points into this trend.
11 textural combos to try
Still in need of textural inspiration? I got you. Here are 11 textural combos you can use to upgrade your style in a flash this season.
- Leather and silk. Edgy smoothness meets flowing softness! Try a moto over a slip dress.
- Denim and lace. Blend rugged and delicate with a denim jacket over a lace top.
- Wool and satin. An oversized wool coat with a satin slip skirt gives you cozy matte with liquid shine.
- Velvet and leather. Team plush luxury with sleek toughness by way of a velvet blazer with leather pants.
- Knit and chiffon. Combine a chunky knit sweater with a chiffon maxi skirt for casual warmth and airy lightness.
- Tweed and silk. Tweed blazer over a silk blouse? That’s textured structure meeting polished refinement.
- Cashmere and denim. A cashmere sweater and tailored denim delivers soft luxe paired with classic casual.
- Patent leather and wool. Patent boots provide glossy shine while a wool skirt contrasts with soft matte.
- Linen and suede. Relaxed and breathable linen trousers pair nicely with the soft richness of suede sandals.
- Sequins and knit. Wear a chunky sweater atop a sequin skirt for glam sparkle and cozy ease.
- Faux fur and silk. The fluffy volume of a faux fur jacket looks amazing with the sleek drape of a silk camisole.
Textures are better together
Mixing textures elevates your style and adds depth and interest to your outfits — whether you mix and match texture combos or showcase one bold texture against a neutral backdrop. Even better, texture layering is an outfit hack you can make your own. Let your personal style guide you and have fun creating your own dynamic looks.
Fashion
Suit of the Week: Argent
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. Also: we just updated our big roundup for the best women’s suits of 2025!
Argent is one of the few reliable options for seasonless suits – as well as colorful suits.
This pretty pistachio suiting is “made of a year-round, refined Italian Seasonless Wool” — and I love the classic cuts. The blazer is lined, but the pants (alas) are not; both are dry clean only.
The blazer is $425, and the trousers are $295.
As of 2026, some of our favorite seasonless suiting includes Ann Taylor and J.Crew on the affordable side, and Theory, Brooks Brothers, M.M.LaFleur and Argent on the more expensive side. For plus sizes, check Lands’ End, and J.Crew — Talbots also used to carry several options. For all suiting options for women, check out our roundup of the best women’s suits of 2026!
Sales of note for 1/27:
Fashion
Style Guide: Embellished Jackets – Julia Berolzheimer
Philippa 1970 Jacket (similar here), Eleanor Leftwich Pants (sold out, similar here), Jimmy Choo Pumps, Chanel Clutch (similar here and here)
Embellished jackets do most of the work for you. Embroidery, beadwork, appliqué, decorative trims — each brings texture and character in a single layer. The approach is straightforward: let the jacket set the tone, then build everything else around it.
Evening Polish
Start with something fluid or softly reflective — satin trousers, a silk skirt, or subtle metallics. Keep the base pared back so the jacket holds the spotlight. Finish with a pointed heel or elegant flat and a compact evening bag. Jewelry stays minimal.
Shop the edit:
Satin or midi skirt; Heel or pointed flat; Small clutch or structured bag; Tassel Belt; Beaded or sculptural jewelry
With Denim
This is where embellishment meets ease. Straight or barrel-leg jeans anchor the look, while a clean tee or fine knit keeps things simple up top. Bring in color through shoes, a bag, or jewelry — a bright pump, a statement crossbody, or sculptural earrings add Julia’s signature energy.
Shop the edit: Relaxed denim; Classic tee or lightweight sweater; Color-forward bag; Everyday flat or low heel; Statement earring
Casual, Elevated
Treat the jacket as part of your regular rotation. Style it with loose trousers or worn-in jeans and a tank or tee, then layer in richness through hue or texture — a bold sandal, patterned flat, or vibrant accessory. This is where personality comes through, without sacrificing polish.
Shop the edit: Easy pants or jeans; Blouse or cardigan; Animal print flats; Polished tote; Scarf or hair accessory
What to Look For
Focus on craftsmanship: dense embroidery, secure beadwork, clean finishing, and strong shoulder structure. Look for thoughtful placement of detail — stitching, appliqué, or decorative trims — so the embellishment feels balanced. Neutral bases and rich tones offer the most versatility.
Fashion
Wednesday’s Workwear Report: Ponte Flare Pant
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
When I bought my first pair of Spanx in 2008 to help smooth things out under a bridesmaid dress (they were promptly ditched in a bathroom trash can at the reception, in case you were wondering), I never would have believed you if you’d told me that the company would eventually end up selling some of my favorite pants.
Unlike the shapewear, I find the clothing to be super comfortable, plus they’re machine washable and the pants come in a wide range of sizes and inseams. I’m leaning toward these poppy-colored flares as the next ones to add to my collection.
I would probably pair this bold color with a navy or camel sweater, but they do have a button-up blouse in a similar color if you’re really leaning in.
The pants are $158 at Spanx and come in sizes XS-3X with petite, regular, and tall inseams.
Sales of note for 1/27:
Fashion
Chic Fashion Pairings for a Photoshoot with Your Partner
Fashion
H&M Studio Essentials Goes Back to Basics for Spring 2026
Fashion
What Cross-Country Moving Teaches You About Personal Style
A cross-country move has a way of cutting through noise. It is not symbolic. It is practical. Boxes cost money. Trucks have limits. Time runs out faster than expected. At some point, every item you own is held up and judged with a straightforward question: Is this worth taking with me?
That question changes how you see your belongings, especially your clothes. Personal style stops being aspirational and starts being honest. What you keep reveals what you actually wear, rely on, and feel like yourself in, moving forces clarity in a way few other life events do.
This is not about minimalism for its own sake. It is about alignment. When space, money, and energy are finite, style becomes less about options and more about intention.
Moving Strategy: How Logistics Force Style Decisions
Even before anything touches a box, a plan is already in motion. Moving things across the country is expensive. Each additional weight adds up fast. That’s why an experienced cross-country moving company doesn’t just move belongings. It forces decisions. Now, here’s something. A coat sitting alone in the closet isn’t taking up space anymore. It carries a price tag.
Here’s how it works. Personal taste connects with real-life needs. A shift happens in how you see things. Pieces start forming into clusters. What matters is how much something is worth, how often you reach for it, plus how deeply it affects your emotions. Certain items instantly earn a place. Others stay stuck in doubt, caught between choices, until life finally decides for them.
Habits show up through the routine. A shirt worn once sits in a box afterward. Outfits purchased just for a single date. Shoes held tight even though they’ve lost their reason. Things that used to show who you really were. When life moves on, there’s no room to keep what might have been. Choices become necessary.
Under pressure from weight, choice becomes practical. In the end, it’s not about fit theories. It’s results in actual settings.
Editing Ruthlessly: What You Learn When You Can’t Take Everything
Finding flaws never sits well. At the beginning, it looks like giving something up. Still, that act also shows truth.
Take away too much, and things start showing up. Silhouettes catch your eye, ones you come back to frequently. There’s fabric here you already know works. Repeated hues jump out, too. The imaginary objects become obvious fast. These need a reason behind them.
Away from home, how someone dresses shows where their real world fits. Letting that difference go is hard. Still, it might loosen what holds you back.
Left behind isn’t luck. It quietly tells how you’ve lived. Slowly, clarity comes; your look never really changed. Beneath all those choices, it sat quietly.
Climate, Culture, and Lifestyle Shifts
Outside shifts affect fabric behavior. Storms alter material response. Societal norms reshape object meaning. When life changes, what we need every day often shifts too.
One season’s clothes can seem out of place elsewhere. That doesn’t prove your choices were bad, just how context shapes taste. What stays central shifts how it shows up.
What stands in the way isn’t swapping everything right away. It’s about translating what already exists into something new. Over time, you see what pieces of your look truly count, while others come just by chance. Often, it’s the way things are laid out, how clean or full they look, or whether they bring calm or attention that makes the difference, not the exact items themselves.
Shifting places trains adaptability, yet keeps nothing lost. Not disappearing entirely matters just as much as refusing transformation does. Acting with purpose shapes each shift.
Quality Over Quantity Becomes Non-Negotiable
When shifted, weak materials often fail to withstand the load. Shipped versions might bend, crack, or seem useless once the room runs thin. Strong constructions last longer. These keep their place by reason.
Such a change unfolds on its own. After managing each piece, packing, unpacking, and making room, the real character shows up. Not some idea pulled from books, a truth shaped by doing.
What sticks changes, too. Things that actually help start meaning more than ones that seem nice at first glance. What matters shifts toward what works without fail.
What stays changes size but gains depth over the years. This happens through learning rather than control.
Rebuilding Intentionally After the Move
Once the shift occurs, some feel pressured to act quickly. A fresh place means new shops, maybe even a different life. Yet slowing down can make sense. Rushing may miss deeper reasons behind the change.
What’s missing in your clothes matters more than you think. That space reveals real needs today, shaped by where you are and what you do. Buying fast to cover gaps often ends poorly, like chasing shadows.
Start by watching how things unfold. See which moments you later crave. Notice the shortcuts, the tweaks, the borrowed ideas. Let reality shape what comes next.
Nowadays, how someone dresses turns into something like a framework. Not so much about reacting. More about thinking ahead. Buying things now slips under the radar. Feels firmer, somehow.
Personal Style as a System, Not a Closet
Cross-country moving reframes style as infrastructure. It supports your life. It should reduce friction, not add to it.
When you see style this way, accumulation loses its appeal. Efficiency matters. So does coherence. You stop shopping for novelty and start refining a framework.
This approach extends beyond clothing. The same principles apply to how you organize your home, your time, and your priorities. Moving makes these connections visible.
Style stops being decorative. It becomes functional self-knowledge.
Conclusion: Moving as a Shortcut to Self-Knowledge
Major transitions accelerate learning. Cross-country moving compresses years of reflection into weeks of decision-making.
By the end, you own less. But you understand yourself more clearly. Your personal style feels steadier, not because it is fixed, but because it is rooted.
What you carry forward is not just a wardrobe. It is discernment. And that is something worth moving with.
Fashion
Coffee Break: Navy Leather Belt
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Navy belts can be hard to find, but I really like this one from Talbots.
Now, of course, you don’t have to wear a navy belt with navy pants — the general rule I’ve always heard is to match your belt to your shoes. I often think of tan leather as great to wear with navy, but you can obviously wear black with navy also!
(We’ve also talked about what color tights to wear with navy skirts!)
Still, if you’re on the hunt for a navy leather belt it can be tricky to find one. This one from Talbots looks perfect — and I like that the belt buckle is covered in the same leather so it’s muted.
The belt is $79.50 at Talbots, and comes in sizes XS-XL and in colors black and brown. You can take 25% off today (discount in bag).
Sales of note for 1/27:
Fashion
What Are Your Work Outfit Workhorses?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here’s something we haven’t discussed in too long that’s always a fun topic: what are your work outfit workhorses? Which accessories, third pieces, and more have you found to be surprisingly versatile and otherwise something you reach for more than you thought you would?
When we last discussed surprise basics for workwear and workhorses for your working wardrobe, I’ve called out my love of colorful purses, olive-colored pants, a good watch, and of course purple heels as things that I was surprised to find myself wearing a ton.
I’ve also written of other things that are outside the usual “must have” lists, including very light gray pants instead of summer whites, velvet blazers for festive in-office holiday lunches, huggie earrings like these, light blue blazers, and purple pumps. It also came up a bit with our discussion of light blue suits, with lots of readers noting that they often wear a pair of colorful blue trousers or a colorful blue blazer (but not together).
Those discussions were a while ago, though, so let’s discuss — what are you finding a surprise workhorse in 2026? (Has anything that you used to love, like olive pants, become less versatile with the fashions of today?) What items have you had a hard time finding, and what are you replacing them with?
Fashion
Cardi B Storms Saturday Night Live Wearing Rowen Rose Burgundy Patent Look, Custom Bryan Hearns, and Leather Candice Cuoco

Cardi B delivered a full fashion rollout during her appearance on Saturday Night Live, stepping out in a series of bold looks that carried her from arrival to performance to post-show exit.

The rapper first arrived at Rockefeller Center wearing a burgundy patent ensemble by Rowen Rose. The high-shine look featured a belted jacket with a deep neckline paired with a coordinating midi skirt, styled with black pointed-toe boots and a mini top-handle Hermes bag. The glossy finish and structured tailoring gave the entrance look a sharp, statement-making presence. The outfit was styled by Kollin Carter.

For her SNL performance, Cardi B changed into a custom leather look by Candice Cuoco, again styled by Kollin Carter. Cuoco said, “This one was fun. I drew [inspiration] from Cardi and her love for her culture, I drew inspo from the beautiful Dominican folkloric pollera. Creating custom embossed hand painted floral leather corset with leather ruffles throughout the skirt and corset. Mixed in with tiers of pleated silk chiffon, ruffled laces, satin ribbons and skirt layers of flounce cut leather for the tiers of the skirt.” Cuoco also shared that part of the look was constructed at KidSuper Studios.
Cardi also performed in a custom Bryan Hearns look, replete with rings and leather details:
After the show, Cardi B greeted fans wearing a custom trench coat by Bryan Hearns. The outerwear maintained the evening’s leather-forward aesthetic while offering a more streamlined silhouette for her exit, closing out the night with another polished fashion moment.
Hot! Or Hmm..?
🎥: NBCSNL
Fashion
The Cold Weather Investment Edit
Max Mara Coat (old, similar here and here), Toteme Sweater (old, similar here, here and here), La Ligne Jeans, Le Monde Beryl Boots, Similar Scarf (and here), Agnelle Gloves, Dior Sunglasses
Cold weather challenges wardrobes to earn their credibility. This edit centers on pieces with presence, outerwear and layers defined by material, construction, and detail. These aren’t everyday basics. They’re specialty buys: shearling and calf hair that bring texture, tailored coats with intentional proportion, statement knits, and jackets finished with trims, embroidery, or sculptural shapes. Each piece offers something beyond function, whether it’s craftsmanship, fabric story, or silhouette.
The focus is on quality you can see and feel. Substantial weight. Thoughtful construction. Finishes that elevate even the most minimal outfit. A great coat should hold its own. A sweater should bring dimension through color, stitch, or pattern. Accessories should introduce contrast through texture and form.
These are pieces you buy now, wear immediately, and return to next winter without hesitation, investment dressing built for longevity, not a single season. Designed for repeat wear, they move easily between polished looks and relaxed days while maintaining their character. Let the details carry the season.
Leopard Hat
This leopard print hat brings depth to simple looks; works equally well with tailoring, denim, or evening layers.
Fur Trim Parka
An oversized cotton parka with dropped shoulders and removable shearling collar, blending relaxed tailoring with utilitarian polish.
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