It’s been a while but I am back with some more “How To Style” posts and I am so excited! The biggest question I hear from others is “How do I style different patterns” or “How can I incorporate different patterned pieces into my outfit”. My answer is simple, just try it. As Stacey and Clinton always say, if you don’t try it on you never know what it’s going to look like. Trying things on in your head or looking at things on a hanger without trying them on is a huge no-no.
I always say fashion is an art form and it is expressed by the individual wearing it. Fashion is a form of trial and error. I have made a ton of fashion errors in my time and I have only ever learned from actually doing it and trying it out. Today, I have put together a list of 6 ways you can style different textures and mix and match different patterns together to form a stunning outfit.
1. Treat Stripes and polka dots as neutrals
In my closet, polka dots and stripes are treated like neutrals. These are probably the easiest patterns to help mix and match. Either pattern can be paired with a floral piece (like the one currently shown) or even a cheetah print.
2. Incorporate neutral colours such as black, white, or grey
Make one of your pieces a neutral colour. It can be a simple and white and black polka dots. This allows you to play up your second piece and add a little more colour or funk to your outfit.
3. Try not to add to much colour
One mistake most people make when mixing and matching different prints is adding too much to an outfit. You want to make sure your adding tasteful colour and it doesn’t get too overwhelming. I usually stick to 2-3 different colour shades when I am working with different prints.
4. Use different print scales
Whether you are going with a polka dot, or a stripe or even a floral, make sure the size scale is different. For example, in the outfit I am showing today, my polka dots are spaced apart, whereas the floral print on my shorts are really tight together. This adds little more balance to the outfit and allows you to focus on each print in a tasteful way.
5. Pick two different prints that have the same colour scheme
If your like me and love the colour pink then mix a pink polka dot top with some pink floral! Easy peasy! Choose your favourite colour and give it a go! 🙂 Working with the same colour can make mixing patterns a lot easier.
6. Textured fabrics can count as a print
Have a leather skirt? How about a velvet jacket? Perfect, throw them on with some floral or stripes and you have yourself an outfit! Textured fabrics help add a little element of spunk to your outfits and allow you to be a little more playful with them when you add in a little pattern into your other pieces of clothing.
Top: Zara / Shorts: Urban Outfitters / Shoes: Steve Madden / Purse: Zara
How do you mix and match your patterns? I would love to hear from you 🙂
