Pattern mixing. It's everywhere. Personally I love mixing patterns. It's the ultimate fashion challenge and requires a bit of skill and knowledge. I see people mixing loads of wild and crazy patterns today that in the past would have been one huge "no no". Sometimes it looks fabulous, sometimes it looks like Pucci threw up on them. There is nowhere for your eyes to rest and it becomes one huge cacophony of confusion. Yes it's different, but I don't want to cause someone a seizure just by looking at me.
I do have one steadfast rule when it comes to mixing patterns, you still need to be seen, not the patterns. I think that holds true for anything we wear really. Clothes are fun but they are there to represent us. If all someone notices is the clothes then in my opinion we've missed our mark. They are meant to be an extension of who we are, not a walking advertisement for the clothing or in this case, the pattern making industry.
A couple things to think about when mixing patterns:
Balance, one larger pattern with a smaller pattern.
Add a solid colour to allow the eyes a resting place. This will also help "ground" your outfit.
Mix up your patterns. Don't go all over floral or all over stripes. Mix stripes and polka-dots, florals and plaids etc.
Go for contrasting colours when choosing your solid colour. It will make the solid colour look more prominent and visually pulls back the pattern.
Cool it on the accessories. If you've got lots of pattern and loads of accessories something is going to get lost along the way and undoubtedly it will be you. Either go really big and bold with one or two large accessories that can compete with everything else, or do what I often do and simply leave them out. It is easy to add on and keep adding, but it takes a keen eye to know when to stop. You need to be the focal point, not your clothes.
Lastly, before you head out the door take a good long hard look at yourself. Does anything look slightly off or weird? Do you feel "over done"? If so, trust yourself. You're the one that needs to wear this with confidence and if you don't feel that way you're never going to fool anyone else.
Linking up with Whatever Whenever Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde ,Wardrobe Wednesday, Rae Gun Ramblings
I love the color combo and your take on pattern mixing.
In the 70s everyone was mixing patterns, 80s was about colours and neons, 90s was black…now we have to re-learn everything from decades past. You’re doing a great job.
I totally love how you combined plaid and polka dots and the color palette captures the festivity perfectly!
Love
Juneli from Fashionably Yours
Great tips and I really like the polka dots with plaid. I just got a patterned bow tie for my hubs to wear with his contrasting patterned shirts! Love it!
I think you are so right about balance!
✰Transatlantic Blonde✰
Super cute mix! I really love the tie/scarf. Great tips too
-Jessi
haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com
Great tips! I love pattern mixing but I rarely try it. It’s definitely something I want to do more of.
mixing prints can come out as pretty scary at times but if done right it makes everything a lot more interesting 🙂
A
xx
http://epiquemoi.blogspot.com
Love what you did with those patterns. That is something I would wear.
Thanks Tracey : )
Thanks Iva. I just entered your contest : )
Thanks Juneli. You have the prettiest name : )
Ohhh I love the idea of the polka dots on an tie. Thanks for popping in : )
Thanks for popping in Melaina : )
Thanks Jessi. That’s a Mod Cloth scarf/tie : )
Take the plunge and mix it up : )
Agree : ) Thanks for popping by.
Thanks for stopping by Marla : )
Oh another winning outfit! You have great style I love this combination and the way you’ve tied the colours together. Thanks for being part of Wardrobe Wednesday and a very Merry Christmas to you.
Yes this is a lovely way to pattern mix! You look so incredible! I laughed out loud when you said that sometimes pattern mixing can look like Pucci threw up!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca