How to Mix Clothing Patterns

Mixed patterns

One of the hottest fashion trends is to mix clothing patterns. This trend opens up your wardrobe to dozens of new possibilities, provided you do the choosing right. You want to mix clothing patterns for an overall finished look not one that appears you got dressed in the dark. A few simple suggestions will help you mix clothing patterns with style.

Instructions

1. Stay in the same color family. You want your patterns to have the same overall hue with certain colors found in each. Brown and orange plaid can work with a brown and orange floral design but will not work with pink and green roses.

2. Vary the pattern sizes. If your plaid happens to be large and loud, pair it with something that has a delicate pattern, like tiny roses with minuscule vines.

3. Play with polka dots. Polka dots are an easy choice to mix, since they are not bogged down with a lot of details and can mesh well with a variety of other patterns.

4. Make sure at least one item is tailored. Unless you want to end up looking like a giant drapery factory, choose a form-fitting blouse with a flowing skirt. Or go for a pencil skirt with a boxy top.

5. Accessorize. Patterns don’t have to be limited to tops and bottoms. You can mix more subtly with a scarf, shoes, hat or belt that plays on the patterns you’ve chosen.

6. Be scant with jewelry. Since your clothing is already making a bold statement, keep the jewelry simple and minimalistic. Do not wear giant baubles on top of two wild patterns or you could easily resemble a thrift store bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear your pattern choices with confidence. Mixing clothing patterns can make you feel like you are going out a limb. That’s because you are. But wear your choices with confidence, not slumped over as if you are waiting for someone to say you are dressed like a clown.

• Black-and-white patterns are an easy way to dabble in the trend until you build up more confidence.

• Never mix animal prints.

• Never mix stars and stripes unless you happen to be marching in an Independence Day parade.