Pattern mixing? Do a search on Pinterest and you will see it everywhere, and somehow these bloggers and fashionistas make it look so fabulous and effortless. I’m drawn to mixed patterns when I see them, but when it comes time to pulling it off in my closet, I confess, I’m a bit of a novice.
Lately I’ve attempted to incorporate more pattern mixing into my look, but my closet is a sea of solids so it can be a challenge. Not to mention the fact that I was brought up by a (gorgeous and stylish) mom who never, ever, in her wildest dreams, would pair stripes with plaid. But, I’m all for adventure and trying new things, so let’s start with baby steps and some easy rules of thumb.
1. Keep it in the family. As in color family. Different patterns within the same color family is an easy start for us mixing rookies. It’s not quite so in your face, but still a statement and look how fabulous her pairing of navy and white stripes and dots looks:
image: Cape Code Collegiate
2. Faux Solids. Sometimes small prints act as if they’re the solid. It’s a slight identity crisis because they’re very much a print, but they can totally stand in as a neutral solid. A tight geometric print or pin stripe, a small consistent polka dot, a leopard print, even camo. Let them act as your solid.
3. Opposites attract. This is pattern mixing 101. Pair together a floral and a stripe, a plaid and a polka dot, floral and geometric, animal print and polka dot, a big print with a tiny print… Your options are really only limited by your imagination. The key is to remember to keep a your colors consistent, and remember proportions. Pair a tight stripe with a larger floral, a wide stripe with a tighter floral. Make sense?
I hope this helps demystify the pattern matching challenge and inspires you to try something new. Experiment, have fun, and…#justgetdressed.
