Identifying your preferred patterns simplifies the search for sustainable options, as eco-conscious brands offer a diverse range, from organic cotton tees in animal prints to silk skirts with polka dots and pinstripe wool blazers.
Fashionability hinges on adeptly combining outfits, especially for sustainability-minded individuals seeking longevity in their wardrobe choices. Mastering the art of mixing colors, patterns, and fabrics enables endless styling possibilities, although it necessitates practice and experimentation.
Uncertain about where to begin or how much pattern is too much? This guide provides essential insights into stylish pattern mixing for a polished and fashionable appearance.
How To Combine Patterns Well
Learning to combine different styles and types of patterns can transform your solid looks into multidimensional outfits. Here are some tips on how to mix and match the nine most common and classic patterns and prints used in clothing and accessories.
Stripes
The stripe, a design synonymous with timeless appeal, ranks among the most frequently utilized and easily recognizable patterns. In various styles, such as diagonals, broad stripes, and pinstriping, stripes offer diverse aesthetic possibilities.
The classic shirt sleeve with striping design features thinner, more uniform stripes, with pinstripes reserved mainly for suits due to their wider scale band. When incorporating stripes into your ensemble, seek those with consistent widths for a harmonious look.
Optimal pairing involves combining a striped garment with a solid counterpart, with choices ranging from a subdued neutral for understated elegance to a burst of color for a bold statement. Known as the “neutral of prints,” stripes exhibit remarkable versatility, effortlessly complementing a wide array of outfits.
Explore the extensive array of striped clothing available at your favorite bestseller women’s clothing store, effortlessly integrating this timeless pattern into your wardrobe.
Plaid
Glen plaid and tartan, though there are many varieties of plaid, are just two instances, and they all basically have the same design. Usually consisting of two or more colors, plaids are woven in bands that extend both vertically and horizontally.
Tartans are widely recognized for being utilized as symbols of families, clans, and even political ties in Scotland and the British Isles.
Plaids are most commonly seen on woven wool, but they are also featured on shirts, accessories, and home decor items. The most popular kind of plaid has a large stripe that is repeated a lot, surrounded by smaller stripes.
Due to the eclectic colors, plaids are usually a bolder print, so incorporating them into your outfit will make a statement. Look for darker hues or plaids with the same color in various tones if you want something more understated. Or, try incorporating a small amount of this pattern by wearing plaid accessories such as handbags or shoes.
Checks
A checkered design resembles a chessboard in appearance and consists of both horizontal and vertical stripes. The check pattern known as gingham typically contrasts a striking hue with white. On the other hand, a check can be any combination of colors that creates a striped pattern that is both vertical and horizontal.
This design comes in small, snug sizes as well as larger sizes, and when crossed, it produces squares of equal size. The simplest approach to incorporating checks into your wardrobe is to buy a gingham button-down shirt and wear it with a vibrant skirt or neutral pants, depending on the outfit you want to wear.
Herringbone
The herringbone pattern is a popular choice for accessories, shirts, and jackets. Its braided appearance, which resembles the bones of a herring fish, gives it its name.
The two colors woven together can create a thin-banded chevron design or a zigzag pattern, depending on your point of view. The herringbone pattern is most frequently seen in wool apparel in muted hues, and it is also occasionally seen in formal shirts.
These kinds of patterns are usually created using complementary colors to appear simple from a distance and to have a hint of complexity up close. Pants, jackets, and coats are common herringbone pieces. Any of these pieces would look classy when paired with neutral hues.
Houndstooth
An alternative to the conventional check pattern is this design. Instead of having distinct, square-like pieces, houndstooth frequently has broken corners and seems more diagonal than horizontal. The hound’s tooth-like shapes are created by a particular method of weaving a dual-tone pattern.
Along with coats, shirts, accessories, and plaids frequently include this design. Either bright or neutral hues go well with this classic motif.
Paisley
Turkish and Middle Eastern design has historically made extensive use of the paisley motif. Because the colors utilized to create it are so vivid and striking, this print frequently sticks out.
The main shape of this striking design, as well as the surrounding auxiliary shapes used in the pattern, both bear floral influences. Tonal paisley patterns are also available, which are made with different tones of the same color.
The eye-catching design of the paisley will make everyone turn to look at your outfit. On both small and large scales, it may be seen on anything from clothes to accessories to home decor.
Polka Dots
A polka-dot pattern is made up of circles that are all the same size. The dots can be large or small; larger dots usually look more assertive, while smaller dots usually have a more subdued appearance.
Polka dots go well with a wide range of other goods since they are regarded as neutrals. Combine a polka-dot item with a solid-colored item for a subtle appearance. Alternatively, combine polka dots with flowers, plaids, or stripes for a stronger style.
Geometric Prints
Among the shapes found in geometric prints are squares, triangles, and trapezoids. They could be more repetitive and detailed or more abstract. Another name for a houndstooth pattern is a repeating geometric design in two colors.
When wearing a geometric design, your best chance is to make the print the focal point of the ensemble and choose more neutral, subdued pieces for the other things. Feel free to experiment with bolder colors if you like a stunning appearance.
Animal Prints
Animal prints mimic natural patterns in the form of spots, stripes, and scales.
While the prints depicting snakes, leopards, and zebras are visually arresting, they also make a strong statement. Thankfully, you can incorporate them subtly into your outfit and use them in many ways. If you’re not sure whether to wear apparel with animal prints, start by accessorizing with handbags, shoes, or jewelry.
However, if you’re ready to attempt wearing something with an animal design on it, think about wearing a top with a tan, white, or black bottom. Alternatively, add some flair by wearing a red shirt with an animal pattern skirt. Red and animal designs look striking together.
Elevate Your Style with Pattern Mixing
Every design, from traditional stripes to striking animal prints, has a certain allure and adaptability. Gaining proficiency in the technique of pattern mixing opens you to a world of options for showcasing your individuality through your clothing selection while maintaining sustainability and longevity.
You can create multidimensional outfits that showcase your unique style and flare by fearlessly experimenting with different pattern combinations according to the guidelines provided in this tutorial. Thus, welcome the world of patterns, discover uncharted territory, and allow your imagination to run wild.
Your clothing will look effortlessly put together and leave a lasting impact wherever you go if you have a well-curated mix of patterns in it.