pattern mixing Archives - Suzanne Carillo

Have you ever worried that your pattern mixing may trigger a seizure in someone?

It’s not normally something I think about but this outfit almost required a health warning.

Advanced Pattern Mixing Triggering A Style Seizure

This amazing jacket is a sample that was never put into production by Pink Tartan a great Canadian company from Toronto.

And yeah, in case you haven’t guessed it already I’m a sucker for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Who isn’t?

This jacket’s boxy style isn’t flattering for my body type but the fun wildlife print was too good to pass up.

Did I mention I used to design prints? I’m obsessed with them.

I consider it a personal challenge to try to mix as many prints in one outfit as possible.

Some people want to win gold at the Olympics I want to see how many patterns I can put together.

Priorities people.

Aiming too high only makes me feel like a failure so I like to keep those goals about an inch above ground level.

My life coach insists that I pencil in daily on my To Do List “take a nap”.

Ha ha!

Did I mention my life coach is my pug? She has it all figured out.

Congratulating yourself for the little wins in life is what it is all about.

Setting yourself up for guaranteed success isn’t a bad idea either.

How To Break The Pattern Mixing Rules

Normally if you want to combine prints it is often suggested that one of the patterns should be larger than the other, or tone on tone which provides contrast, balance and a place for your eyes to rest. Creating one focal point is what was once considered the golden rule.

I totally trashed that rule here and I didn’t feel like a freak of nature when I did it.

The little trick I used was the fact that both patterns have similar backgrounds and the tones are the same. So much so in fact that the pants and jacket almost look like a suit if you stand back and squint really hard.

advanced pattern mixing 101 suzanne carillo style — Blouse – thrifted Talize, Pants – consignment store, Shoes – old, Jacket – Pink Tartan outlet store.

I think Gucci and Melanie changed the way we think about pattern mixing.

They happily break all the rules and run with it.

The shoes well…those are just fun and they work with the animal/jungle/garden theme.

Writing about pattern mixing I have to mention Theresa’s boho outfit. The way she mixed her patterns and textures while transitioning into fall with her vintage maxi dress is so inspired.

A visual feast for the eyes.

Sure, there is no one focal point, but the eye gets to wander at leisure…eating up all the delicious details and contrasts.

Pattern and texture overload outfits to me are an explosion of pure joy.

Remember when you were a kid and dressed up in your Mom’s clothes? Remember how you’d put on everything?

Yeah, that kind of childlike joy that knows no bounds and simply follows the heart.

Are you a fan of pattern overload? Or does it trigger a seizure?

Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday

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