Mixing and matching patterns is a fine art that requires a keen eye and little fearlessness. Not for the sartorially skittish, the art of combining patterns and prints is about seeing a harmonious interplay between them that’s not obvious at first glance. Let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of mixing & matching patterns. Because when you shake things up, you want to look fabulous doing it!
Scale is the Key
The most important factor in successfully mixing and matching prints and patterns is scale. For example, if you’re wearing a tweed patterned dress that you’d like to wear with a tweed purse, look at the two items together and ask yourself how they mesh. Is the scale of the pattern on the purse different enough from the scale of the dress’s fabric pattern to make a statement?
There’s nothing to stop you from enhancing the two tweed items by adding another pattern. For tweed, tie a lively polka dot scarf in contrasting colors to the bag. Now match one—or both—of the colors in the scarf with a belt. Add costume jewelry that picks up the other color in the scarf.
Small, busy prints match best with larger, more boldly graphic prints. For example, a shirt with a small-scale leopard print pairs well with a pants that have a large-scale stripe that either contrasts or tones in with the top. Large-scale florals also work well, especially in super-saturated colors.
Don’t just throw on two differently colored pieces and expect them to work if the prints are the same size.
Do mix different color schemes of differently sized patterns.
Link Different Patterns & Prints with Color
A solid color romper or jumpsuit is a good place to start in your mixing and matching journey. Link your patterns to the color of the romper/jumpsuit, creating a cohesive look. A floral print jacket can be worn with a polka dot, striped, or even a drastically different floral print scarf, bag, or hat. What’s important is that the color of your romper is featured in the prints involved, tying everything together.
A gingham romper or jumpsuit invites experimentation. Pink gingham paired with a tropical palm leaf and pink floral print changes the whole meaning of gingham. With this pairing, you pull gingham out of its innocence and into a fiery world of individual style. And if you’re in the mood, go Cowboy Core with denim, switching out the tropical print for a cowhide look shirt, tied at the waist. Or choose a lively sunflower print to make your statement, yellow flowers sizzling on a pink or blue background.
Don’t wear the same animal print (leopard with leopard) unless the scale of the print is very different.
Do wear different animal prints together, especially if they’re in different colors and print sizes.
Tip: Neon and super-saturated colors are best for animal print matching, adding some maximalist surrealism to your look.
Pick Different Polka Dots
Try matching a top with large polka dots against a skirt with small polka dots. You can also try different color backgrounds for dots of the same or different sizes. Match a polka dot dress in large black dots on a white background with a purse (or even a headband) in a different two-tone color scheme and smaller dots. Try dots with tartan, stripes, or vibrant florals to make your presence both known and admired. A wide, horizontally-striped belt on a polka dot ensemble in contrasting colors cinches it all together!
Don’t be shy. Polka dots will never let you down, so long as you get the scale of the prints right.
Do indulge in unexpected accessories with polka dot prints and effects, like Swiss dot pantyhose or gauzy Swiss dot gloves in a wild color (that needn’t be featured in any of the other prints you’re wearing.)
Be fearless and you can give new life to everything in your closet by mixing and matching patterns. Give your existing wardrobe a second chance to express itself. Pull out the stops and mix your patterns and prints in ways that set your style on fire. You get a dynamically re-engineered wardrobe and your local landfill gets a break!
Give New Life to Your Wardrobe
Be fearless and you can give new life to everything in your closet by mixing and matching patterns. Give your existing wardrobe a second chance to express itself. Pull out the stops and mix your patterns and prints in ways that set your style on fire. You get a dynamically re-engineered wardrobe and your local landfill gets a break!
About the Author
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.
