I am a sucker for a big, bold, colourful pattern. Many of my fashion friends eschew patterns in favour of solids for more versatility in their wardrobes. I am the opposite. Solids bore me. Patterns are an invitation to play. They lend themselves easily to multiple combinations.
My wardrobe is made up of 80% patterns, 20% solids and I seem to manage just fine thank you.
Bold patterns are like dance parties for the eyes.
Unlike those unforgiving solid colours a pattern can disguise just about anything. They delight and confuse the eyes until they can no longer tell what part is convex and what is concave. It is like wearing Spanx on the outside without any of the discomfort.
Bigger patterns can be tricky to wear for those of us that are vertically challenged. Sometimes the pattern can overwhelm the body.
As a general rule, the smaller the body frame, the smaller your pattern should be.
NOT.
This is where confidence steps in. I find, the bigger your confidence level and the bolder your personality, the bigger and bolder the pattern you can wear, no matter your height.
Kind of a great rule for anything you want to wear in life really.
A good example is this groovy late 1960’s dress that I bought at the Toronto Vintage show. This is easily the largest pattern I own.
I’m not a shy person and this dress clearly states that.
This dress screams across the street to strangers,
“I’ve got an opinion and I intend to be heard!”
I may only be 5’4″ but I’ve got 6’4″ in attitude and you better believe I’m serious buster!
Ha! Don’t you love that word buster? It is so old school.
Maybe that is another reason I prefer patterns over solids. I mean…truly…what does a solid have to say?
“Yawn…go get me another soy-milk-no-sugar-too-fing-fancy-and-expensive-for-you-yuppy-drink while I mind numbingly scan my Instagram feed and count how many likes I have trying to make my vapid completely staged online existence feel meaningful.”
Solids are pretentious bastards.
Look at me! You don’t have to think to wear me!
Patterns are the improvisational jazz of the fashion world.
They stimulate your brain and stretch your creativity.
Next time you see a big bold pattern don’t turn up your nose and think you’re too timid, petite, sophisticated to give it a try. Why not be the cherry, chocolate sprinkles and caramel instead of just the vanilla?
Slap on some confidence, pull up your personality by the boot straps and stride around like you own the place.
Big bold patterns make the world see you. You won’t fade into the shadows.
You are the focal point.
Go out and enjoy it.
Here are a few other examples how to wear big bold patterns when you are petite…
Are you a fan of big bold patterns? Or do they just scream too loudly and hurt your ears?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like
You look glorious in bold prints! as can all of us who have no fear of fashion. I would definitely want to know what your statement was, if I saw you across the street in this dress. I’d be like “Hey lady, you look gorgeous! What is your opinion, and can I get a selfie with you??” xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
: P
You own some amazing clothes with wonderful patterns! You look great in them! I really want the first dress!
I don’t own many patterns, mainly because I think they will be noticed too much as in “Oh, she is wearing THAT dress again.” But I think I really should add some patterns! Especially after reading this! I certainly don’t want to say this with my clothes:
“Yawn…go get me another soy-milk-no-sugar-too-fing-fancy-and-expensive-for-you-yuppy-drink while I mind numbingly scan my Instagram feed and count how many likes I have trying to make my vapid completely staged online existence feel meaningful.”
Looking for some patterns soon! 🙂
I’ve been told off a bit by some of my solid wearing friends for being too harsh. Sometimes I like to write to emphasize a point. I wear solids as well…but compared to patterns I do find them boring.
Your bold patterns announce to the world your big personality. And charm. There’s a lot squeezed inside that little body of yours!
Maybe too much BS squeezed in. Ha ha!
Oh dear Lord, this is your best post ever! I am in love with the dress and love the background too.
Love the photo with the shadow, too. YOU know I love patterns too, and I am a tiny mite of a thing,and I love to mix them. But this long dress in the bold print is heart stopping!
Yay, to you!]
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com
I do love showing off my awesome collection of vintage prints. I’m really happy I went back to buy this dress after everyone and their dog told me what a mistake I’d made on FB and IG.
I’m not much a fan of patterns but if I pick a pattern I like tribal ethnic kinda prints…. and leopard print cat suits of course. Ha.
I kept thinking you wear patterns all the time, but of course it is all your wonderful accessories that make up for the lack of patterns.
You have such a great collection of bold patterns. I love patterns and colors but I don’t think I have the confidence like you do to rock it. I tend to prefer to not stick out.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I do see you mixing lots of smaller patterns all the time and you are one of the reigning Queens of how to mix colour in my book.
I’m totally with you. Whoever said that “rule” should be shot! Besides, it’s just like the horizontal stripes thing….if it fits well, nobody even knows you’re petite—especially in pictures! You look incredible! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Just a minute – I’m 5’4″ (maybe 5’5″ on a good day) and I don’t think of myself as petite. Maybe I’m around a lot of shorties, but I think 5’4″ is fairly average. Anyway, you go, girl – wear those bold prints, which go so nicely with your bright hair and personality!
5’4″ is the top end of what is considered petite. Basically they describe it as 5’4″ or under. I do find that overall if I have a choice petite clothing fits me better throughout the waist and the length.
That first dress is a bold print but you wear it beautifully. Between the style of your dress and your accessories it looks perfectly 70s. You own some stunning maxi dresses in bold patterns. I love every single one especially today’s. It fits like a glove and I love that it has sleeves.
Thanks for letting me know you cannot comment on my blog. IDK why. Try again sometime. Thanks.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving week Suzanne!
I’m in Canada so we had our Thanksgiving last month : )
Hope you had a wonderful long weekend.
I had to smile, because the solid colors’ description of a personality was really accurate! I have a “friend” who is like that, to the point that I had to look for some distance, because all she ever wants is likes on Instagram and controls it several times a day. And always saying “I am ladylike, elegant”. Uh? Who decides what is elegant? Well, I never looked for “being elegant”. I am more at the quirky side and I looooved your pictures! I loved the latest acquisition, really fabulous, but if you ever want to sell the second dress you showed as an example, please think of me! I have a great seamstress that can make it fit me 🙂 I am shorter than you (around an inch) and I also love big patterns! You look stunning!
DenisesPlanet.com
You are on the short list for that dress. No pun intended : )
Each and every one of those outfits need to be in my wardrobe, I frickin’ love them all!
I get the same tired old excuses every week when women browse my rails. The stupid thing is I’m only 5’3″ and most of the silly biatches are taller than I am. Big hair and platforms and a maxi dress make us short arses look like giants. I don’t care though, the meek can stick with the plain, bland dresses and there’s more fabulously outrageous prints for us.
That first dress…I die! xxx
Agreed : )
PS…thanks for convincing me to go back and buy it!
You looking stunning in all these photos in your lovely patterned dresses! I do wear some patterned things, but not often and not so bold. I like bright colors, but solid ones. My statement item is a hat, which I am rarely without.
Hats are wonderful statement pieces. I was at the One of a Kind Show yesterday which is very large artisan show here that we have twice annually. They had so many amazing hats! I thought of you.
My favourite dress on you so far. I keep saying that – but you keep showing new cool outfits! Just be careful when you wash it, but you could use a spray gun on this one. Heh.
Stunning photos, the backdrop couldn’t be better. And the shadow shot, oooh, just that perfect dash of arty poetry.
I only need black coffee to make my vapid staged online existence feel real. Haha. You crack me up, and the world would be a better place if more people laughed. You are a superhero, healing one laugh at a time. And your pattern advice is right on!
I’ve already washed this dress and it didn’t disappear or lose all the colour! Wohoo! It’s like I won the lottery : )
you wear the bold prints so well! and I agree that wearing such prints and colors can be a dance party for the eyes. But, a good one when done well! =D
xo,
nancy
Hello Suzanne, what a joyful discovery you are! I’ve seen you commenting on some of the blogs I follow and thought I ought to check your site out. Great dress, great style and great attitude. I’m actually an inch taller than you so from my lofty position I can say you’ve got it right about this old pattern thing. I love pattern and feel very restrained when I wear block colours – like a bit of me is fighting to be let out. I’ll be following you from here on and will be taking a moment to go back through your blog to get a blow by blow of you. Lovely to meet you.
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
With you all the way, Suzanne – love a print, the bigger and bolder and more colourful, the better! I don’t know what height has to do with anything really, if you love a print and wear it with confidence, who cares if you’re teeny or tall?
LOVE your Toronto dress, and all the rest of them too! xxxx
I feel we have a pattern connection you and I Curtise : )
You really “own” these looks. No matter your height.
I have never liked pattern on me. It’s not a confidence issue. It’s aesthetic. I’d rather yell “drama” with my clothes, than “pattern”. Just a preference. If I wore those prints they’d enter everyone’s awareness ten minutes before they saw the fabulous me! And that’s what I want people to marvel at, ME!
XX
Everyone has their preferences. I understand that.
Each outfit you put together has your signature look all over it. You are the fabulous you! : )
This is a great post – well written, entertaining, and good photos. I tend to wear big bold prints in the summer as I don’t usually find winter-weight clothing with patterns that I like. Maxi dresses seem to be the clothing item that is most likely to have a louder opinion – just look at the wonderful examples you’ve used to illustrate this post. Vix also owns some very chatty Maxi dresses!
I love your description of the message that a “solid” colour conveys, but in their defense, I will say that most of my winter staples are a solid colour, but they are by no means boring as they have interesting shapes to balance out their quiet solid colours.
I have often pondered the idea of shapes making up for lack of pattern. So many women love the draping/asymmetrical cuts etc. I admire it on them but haven’t been able to make it work for me. I am taking notes though : )
You’re quite right, Suzanne, the bigger your confidence level and the bolder your personality, the bigger and bolder the pattern you can wear, no matter your height.
I used to wear all Black 100% of the time. Yes, all the time, and I used to think that made me incredibly chic and edgy. While that might work for some others, I now know it was because I was so insecure and unsure of myself. I wore Black to fade. Over the years, as my self-confidence grew, I began incorporating colours into my outfits and I hope to reach that kaleidoscope level, soon 🙂 in the meantime, I am SO enjoying your adventures into print, pattern and all things bold. Please never stop because you serve as such an inspiration for petite women like myself, and style in general.
Thanks for popping by Sheela : )
Isn’t it funny how we make certain choices in clothing to shield ourselves from the outside world?
An interesting idea would be a wardrobe psychologist. Someone that comes in and treats you based on your outfit choices. Maybe that already exists.
That dress is an absolute treat for the eyeballs…love it! I so agree; with confidence and some personality a girl can carry off pretty much anything.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
You are a prime example lady!
I love all your dresses. I really love them on you. On your curvy figure. On your confident character. Would I like them myself? Yes I would (see my DvF blue dress). Do I discard solids? No. I think there is a place for everything and anything. Do I think patterns can only be worn by tall women? No (and you clearly demonstrate that). So, it is just a matter of taste. And one isn’t better than the other. IMO.
Did you finish painting the third dress back to its original colours?
As for your dress of today… beautiful and so well styled. So seventies with the hat, the beautiful fringe bag (and I am not even a fan of fringe, but I like this one), and the boots. Great outfit. You will get noticed.
Greetje
I am still working on that damn dress! LOL I’m hoping to have it done by Christmas. I haven’t been working on it as much lately so it has fallen behind. It is a full project that is for sure. I love it too much though not to complete it.
Patterns and bright colors totally suit you, because you look amazing in every outfit! Love the dress in the first photo!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Thanks Anna…from one pattern lover to another : )
Ohhhhh, you look Gorgeous with a capital G, and you rock your big patterns with style!, love your attitude!, and love your dresses too!
There are too many rules about what to wear!. Big patterns are awesome and funny!, florals, geometrics, whatever, they’re fabulous!!
besos & Big Bold Patterns galore
Patterns are the improvisational jazz of the fashion world. YES YES YES!
Did I say YES YES YES??? I’ll say it again YES YES YES!
I’m gonna nick that cos it’s so true! And as someone who is real petite at 5’1″ I say bring on the print and colour. I completely fade in neutrals or solids.
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
I’m definitely a sucker for patterns (often florals), colors and pattern-mixing. When I wear solids, this is for them to be spiced up by lots and lots of accessories.
You wear your bold patterns very well, Suz! Love it (and you).