Crazy about Mixing Patterns

Mixing Patterns is a sure fire way to stand out in the crowd. It’s funky, eclectic and gives your ensemble visual depth and texture. But it should be done cautiously because it could go very wrong!

How to do it right?

1. Keep patterns in the same color family. This could mean earth tones, brights, cool tones, warm tones, neutrals, etc. It doesn’t just mean you have to wear a white and black pattern with another white and black pattern.

2. There’s safety with stripes. Stripes can almost act like the neutral piece in your outfit and can be mixed with almost any pattern. Polka dots, animal prints and florals are also among prints that play well with others.

3. To avoid pattern overload, choose a larger/bolder print to offset a more subtal or tonal print.

4. It is helpful to repeat at least one color in all of your patterns to tie them together

Can do:                                                                                                                Please dont do:

The stripes and floral work well together because they are both the same neutral color palette, the creme color is repeated throughout and the busy floral is balanced by the subtle stripes. The bright colored pattern on the right however, clashes and looks inconsistent.

Can do:                                                                                         Please dont do:   

The stripes and leopard work well together because basic leopard almost acts as a neutral pattern  since is so well known. The color black is repeated in both peices which help the peices coordinate. With the look on the right however, the color palettes of the two peices are way off.