ever since i read an article in the april vogue about the author’s first marimekko dress, i’ve been craving big pattern…in a big way.
there’s the original, of course, which one can’t overlook. this site has more options than just about anyone, and their pricing is pretty impressive. i love this tunic style shirtdress ($219), which gives you the fabulous pattern, but the conservative styling reins it in and makes it office-appropriate.
but then, i think if you’re jumping on this look, the “reined in” thing isn’t really the point at all. i love this blouse (on sale for $109), which is completely over the top, in the best of ways. wear it with a skinny black pant or pencil skirt, layer a turtleneck underneath, leave it open & call it a jacket, or close it up and call it a blouse – this is a piece i’d never get tired of.
i’m also loving some of the less obvious versions floating around this spring. this version by puella ($176) is a little bit 70s flower child, but the styling keeps it modern.
if adding color on top of pattern is just too much for you, try this big, bold black and white number by mika piirainen ($183). i love the swirling pattern and classic cut – this is a dress that’s so classic, your daughters are sure to fight over it one day.
and, if all of this pattern is just a little more than you can convince yourself to try, consider dabbling with a fabulous marimekko scarf ($20), which can give you that splash of crazy color and pattern, without stretching your boundaries too far. for me, if i can track down these absolutely amazing wooden brooches (which seem, tragically, to be out of stock absolutely everywhere), i’ll die a happy woman.
(PS…i would also be remiss if i didn’t mention the marimekko line for H&M hits stores tomorrow, 4/10. a sneak peek can be found here..enjoy!)
In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll admit straight up that I am affiliated with MarimekkoWashingtonDC and Honfleur Home. I enjoy what you write, so, to that end, I wanted to let you know that I relate to your search for the coveted Unikko Wooden Brooch. I have one – got it back in 2003 just as we were starting up our operation – and it’s been my good luck charm. My point is not to brag about pin ownership – rather, it’s to let you know that I’ve contacted Marimekko Finland to see if they have some available in their backstock, even though they aren’t currently in production. If they do, I’ll let you know. If they don’t, and you think you can provide the brooch with a happy home and will allow it to be your lucky charm, well, perhaps we ought to talk! In all, I invite you to watch our MarimekkoWashingtonDC.com website. If it’s a Marimekko classic, we’ll have it. If it’s a seasonal item – be it clothing or fabric – we’ll have it. And as for the Samovaari scarf mention – you’re dead-on. Beautiful, batiste, mixes and matches with ease . . . the only thing better could be one of the bags from the Samovaari Spring ’08 collection. And, finally, should you have questions about upcoming collections, particularly clothing and bags, I can provide some input or images as we’ve completed our ordering of clothing, bags, and fabrics through 02/09. Warmly, Marni, Marimekko Washington, DC
wow, marni – what a generous offer! i’ll drop you an email & we’ll see what we can figure out.
this is one of those things that makes me just love the internet!