Looking to do something a little bolder with your travel wardrobe? Let’s try mixing patterns. Here are some principles to help you out.
Pair patterns with similar colors
Having this flowered dress and Peruvian scarf was a happy coincidence. They happen to share all of the same colors. If I had patterned shoes with the same colors, or a sweater, then we could really go nuts with patterns!
Use solid colors to ground the outfit
I love this combination because the red dress is a perfect complement to the green in the coat, and both of those colors exist in the scarf. The huge block of color in the dress helps keep the outfit from becoming too complicated. Still the scarf and coat are related enough in color and different enough in pattern that it isn’t overwhelming even when I button up the coat.
Use different sizes of pattern
The smaller pattern will often read as a neutral in relationship to a larger pattern, so if you have similar patterns in different sizes, go for it.
Use stripes and polka dots as neutrals (leopard and floral prints can also work)
A quick image search for mixing patterns in clothing will yield many nature print/leopard combinations and many floral/stripe combinations. It’s hardly a risk anymore, so if you’re new to pattern mixing, those pairings are a safe start.
Observe
If you want to sharpen your natural sense of what works, make a mental note when you notice a combination you find pleasing. Take a moment to ask yourself why you like it. When you see something that doesn’t work, take a moment to figure out why it doesn’t work. Soon you’ll be writing your own fashion tips.
Let someone else do the mixing
There are plenty of garments out there that contain more than one pattern. For example, this scarf I have is full of patterns. Pre-mixed.
If you love it, it probably works
The key to mixing patterns successfully is confidence. If you wear it the right way (confidently) you can pull off just about anything. These rules are to help, but they aren’t limiting. Some of my favorite combinations were discovered just because the outfit felt right in that moment in spite of what some might call a color or pattern clash.
Have fun mixing it up!
Go in style,
Jacquelyn