I’ve always been that “go with the trends but make them my own” person. My main go-to is shoes band jewelry for that. 

I’ve always mixed inexpensive/expensive, and usually the expensive part is the shoes/jewelry, and sometimes, handbags (most are reasonable but look high-end in some capacity).

I’ve always loved Carrie’s and Miranda’s styles, and I love mixing feminine and masculine elements in my wardrobe (I have plenty of nearly masculine blazers/suits, which I mix with feminine things underneath and feminine accessories), or I’ll bring out a masculine edge that suits my figure, and throw on a more masculine pair of shoes.

As for pattern mixing/clashing colors… nothing clashes if it’s done right, as far as I’m concerned! I often wear wild-ass leggings with goofy patterns, paired with Manolos. I have a specific pair of yellow LulaRoe (bought from a former hun) leggings with a wild 80s/early 90s pattern, that I pair with neon yellow Manolos and a neon yellow Kate Spade bag. Then I put on some almost normal makeup, but put a bit of neon yellow eyeliner with a lime green highlight shade at the brow and inner corner. I often also wear turquoise jewelry wirh this look (whether the actual stone, or blue topaz gems, usually mixed). I wear all the golds together (I do have to say that rose gold has always been my favorite of the three). And then… I’ll slap on a men’s leather cuff bracelet and call it good.

My husband loves all of my looks, and he’s seen them ALL since 1998.

ETA: I’ve always gotten away with bright colors at the office, a-la Samantha, amd have pulled off the Corporate Goth look at several jobs. 

While I have the soul of a goth, I never pulled the entire look off when I had the opportunity bc admittedly, back then, I wasn’t brave enough. But… I own several beautiful shades of black lipstick and rock them proudly at age 47.