Mixing patterns may feel like a bold fashion choice to most!
It may be true, particularly if you have always preferred to play it safe by combining your prints with solids. The thing with mixing patterns is they can either be a hit or a miss! When done right, mixing patterns can make for a very interesting outfit. But when you do it wrong, the outfit may even turn out to be a disaster.
While there are no hard and fast rules for mixing patterns, a few considerations can help you do it successfully so you can make a bold fashion statement. Here are four tips to help you mix your patterns successfully so you can experiment and enjoy wearing different combinations.
Using The Same Base Color
This is a great styling tip for people who want to make a bold fashion choice yet play it safe at the same time. Mixing patterns becomes easier when you use the same color family for your outfits. It helps you tie the whole outfit together and brings a certain form of cohesion to your look.
If you are trying to change your dressing style and experimenting, you can begin by using the same base colors for your tops and bottoms. For instance, a black and white striped t-shirt or top with a black and white floral or animal print skirt would make for a great combination to begin with. If you are experimenting with the existing pieces in your wardrobe, it may help to sort your clothing according to color. You can then mix and match to see which outfit combination works for you.
Opting For Different Scales When Using The Same Pattern for the Entire Outfit
If you are conscious about scales and proportion, try using the same pattern in different scales for your outfit. For instance, a bold striped t-shirt with a narrow-striped bottom may work very well together. You can also try matching a horizontal striped top with a vertical striped bottom to make for a balanced outfit. It’s all about how you bring the entire outfit together.
To ensure your pattern proportions do not look mismatched, use small patterns with medium-sized patterns and combine medium-sized patterns with larger sizes. Using small patterns with very large-sized patterns may not go very well together.
Using A Solid Color for the Outer Layers
At times, mixing patterns may seem very loud, no matter how bold you want your fashion choices to look. In such cases, it helps to use a solid outer layer to tone down the look or complement your overall outfit. You can use a solid-colored jacket, coat, or blazer to achieve this look.
If you are going for a three-piece look, you can opt for a solid color in any of the pieces, be it your top, bottom, or outer layer. If you do not want to use an outer layer, you can consider using a solid-colored accessory like your bag or shoes.
Combining A Busy Pattern with a Spaced-Out Pattern
If you want to use busy prints or patterns, try counteracting these with a spaced-out pattern for your second piece. For instance, if you like to wear T-shirts with busy patterns like the ones available from Escape by Habitat clothing, you can pair them with a skirt or pants having a rather spaced-out pattern to complete the look.
This way, while one piece of your outfit does the talking, the other can just help complement the overall attire and tie the entire look together. If you are going for a three-piece look, consider using a busy print for one piece, while the rest can have milder prints that complement the bolder piece.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think of these styling tips? Hopefully, these four suggestions may help you mix and match your patterns easily to make for effortless attire. If you feel your outfit choices have been looking bland recently, experimenting with patterns can be a great place to start.
Finally, you will never know how it looks until you try it on! If you have always played it safe, the idea of mixing patterns may seem incredulous at first. However, merely looking at clothes in hangers will never help you until you try different combinations and see what works together. You must see the entire outfit together instead of just trying to visualize them. Only then can you decide if the outfit idea is worth using.