Style Session: Pattern Mixing
Happy Wednesday! Ooh, look at me all perky! I actually got OUTSIDE this afternoon and it was a beautiful day. I guess I needed a little of that. Or, to be more honest, my joy is probably mostly brought on by the fact that I got a big ‘ol tub of chicken from KFC’s drive-thru and now I don’t have to make food the rest of the week…cuz BOY does THAT get old fast!!!
Okay, so today I’m talking (once again) about pattern mixing. Jodie and I did another Wear It Wednesday style session on IGTV and I uploaded mine to YouTube as well, which you can see below (8-minute video).
I gave four (not three, as I kept saying in the video #quarantinebrain) examples with different outfits from my closet. I love pattern mixing…I just don’t have that much pattern or print in my closet!
So, Outfit #1 is what I consider the simplest of pattern mixing, and that is stripes and anything else. I really consider a striped shirt (or dress) to be the same as a solid, it’s just a more visually interesting solid. Stripes and a floral, or a gingham, plaid, geometric, even a wider stripe, easy. What you want to look for is a color that’s in each one to tie them together. In the case of the striped tee and the floral kimono, black is the common color.
Outfit #2 is a pretty easy mix also…a 2-color item with a multi-color item…and even easier because one of the colors in both is white. Ha, am I making any sense? This outfit is a good example of why I think scale is not as important as I often read it is when pattern mixing. The floral on the dress is a much smaller scale pattern than the plaid on the shirt. But I like it! And ultimately, that’s really what it all comes down to – Do YOU Like It? These are just guidelines to start out with. But once you get a little practice and confidence, feel free to break the rules and do and wear whatever you want!
Outfit #3 is maybe more complex because it’s a random-patterned multicolor floral (dress) with a random-patterned 2-color animal print (cardigan). I say “random-patterned” as opposed to an orderly geometric, like stripes or gingham or a regular repeat (like the dress in Outfit #4). And this outfit is a good example of matching up tones vs. just straight color. Yes, both items have black in them and that’s a good pairing, but they also both have warm tones in them – the background of the leopard print, and the flowers in the dress. They’re not the same colors exactly, but the tones are all warm.
And lastly, Outfit #4 is another geometric with a plaid. And the blues in both items are not exactly the same, but they look nice together. You don’t have to match colors necessarily…but the colors should complement one another. OR, if it’s more your jam, intentionally clash with one another – like a red and white striped tee with a pink and orange floral skirt!
Another tip from this outfit is this: if you’re just venturing into pattern mixing, a printed scarf is an easy first step. It’s just a small piece of fabric, it doesn’t grab as much visual attention as a dress or a pair of pants.
Also, if you’re feeling a little unsure about all the patterns you’re wearing, then put on one solid-colored thing: a denim jacket or blazer or cardigan. Something that will cut down on all the pattern and give the eye a place to rest.
Here are a few other examples of pattern mixing from the past few months…
Polka dots and stripes.
Stripes and floral.
Floral and plaid. And leopard!
Leopard and stripes.
Do you enjoy pattern mixing? I sort of think it like decorating a room in a house (striped curtains, floral sofa cushions, tone-on-tone striped sofa, etc), but on your body!
I hope you’ll take a look at the video and leave a thumbs up on it if you like it!
jodie filogomo
I’m in awe of your pattern mixing here Bettye….how come we don’t see more of this in your daily outfits. You do it so perfectly. I feel like I’m still learning, but it’s such a fun challenge.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
You do see it! Those last 3 or 4 pictures were from previous blog posts. I just don’t have That Many patterned items to do it a LOT. And I have less in the summer as I’m not layering as much.
I used to do it a lot when I was styling for photo shoots with models. When I had a range of sizes to work with I had many more options to choose from, not just what would fit ME.
Wendy
I think the difference in scale of your two prints helps them to work together- the large scale black plaid with the small scale floral dress. If you had chosen a small black gingham shirt
The two would have competed and not read as a contrast. Whereas the large black plaid definitely dominates and the soft flowy small floral is happy being second string.
bettyewp
Agreed.
Pauline starsmore
I like the leopard print and stripes.
bettyewp
Thanks, Pauline!
Leslie Susan Clingan
Why did we think pattern mixing was a fashion no-no for years? I absolutely love the interesting patterns you have put together. Leopard and stripes!! So much fun. And the floral kimono with the stripes. I can tell these darling outfits made you happy. And me, too!!
bettyewp
We thought it was a fashion no-no? Ha ha, I must have missed that issue of Vogue 🙂
Today I’m in leopard and plaid!
susan
I really like that lepord pint with the flower dress. Very nice and it looked good with the black pants, and top too. And, that white dress was beautiful on you.
bettyewp
Thanks for your kind words Susan 🙂
Rhonda
Great outfits! Love the creativity!
bettyewp
Thanks, Rhonda! I like fashion creativity cuz I don’t have to MAKE anything…I just put stuff OTHER people made, together!