Combining patterns is trendy, because they come in all possible facets: As flowers, dots, stripes and checks, they are not only to be worn solo. How do you style and combine patterns without looking like a clown?
This summer everyone will be happy who doesn’t do much with single-colored clothing. Because patterns are back. The charm of the 70s is part of it, the hippie look, folklore to disco or rock.
Eternal classics such as dots (or called polta dots) are casually combined and checks are particularly popular in their minimal form. Zebra and animal patterns remain, new are psychedelic patterns.
Stripes never really go out of style. They are perfect for combining patterns. By the way, I have 9 different striped shirts :). They are perfect classics.
Which patterns are suitable for a pattern mix?
When it comes to combining patterns, you can sometimes be overwhelmed, after all there are a lot of them. But over time, some classics have emerged. You probably already have them in your closet and can combine outfits from your stock in a sustainable way. Here is a small overview:
• Stripes
• Dots/ Polka Dots
• Checks
• Flower pattern
• Animal prints
• Herringbone / houndstooth pattern
How do I avoid the mix of patterns becoming too colourful?
Choose the patterned parts in such a way that you end up combining no more than three colors in your outfit. This is how you play it safe.
A pattern mix in black and white looks particularly classy.
Almost every woman has black and white clothes in her closet, so there is sure to be an option for you to mix and match. Striped shirts, dots, stripes, Pepita, everything goes together.
Mix only two patterns for your skilful outfit:
You can combine all patterns, but stripes, dots and flowers together are often too much, it looks restless. A simple basic rule therefore applies: Always mix only two different patterns.
The following patterns can be combined particularly well:
- dots and stripes
- stripes and flowers
The easiest way to do this is with striped shirts and flowery patterned skirts and pants. Also dotted clothing can be combined great, as the examples show.
Styling trick when mixing patterns: stay in one color family
Your outfit will be harmonious if you make sure that the individual parts come from the same color family. For example red-blue-white or blue-white. You can mix flowers, dots, stripes but try to keep the color family. Then it looks good.
The important proportions when mixing patterns
Balance is important when mixing patterns, but the mix ratio of your clothes should not be 50/50, but rather 1/3 to 2/3.
This means that ONE pattern should be the more dominant in terms of area. So, for example, long, wide striped pants with a dotted top that is tucked into the pants. The pictures show how proportions work. A large pattern is more striking and applies more, a small pattern is more subtle and reserved.
Pattern mix for large sizes:
Patterns don’t make you fat, but certain parts of the body are emphasized by eye-catching patterns and catch the eye more than a single-colored piece of clothing.
The question about patterns in large sizes is more: what does the pattern emphasize on which part of the body?
Emphasize your assets correctly: Bright, colorful patterns emphasize, darker and more inconspicuous patterns recede into the background.
A woman with strong hips, buttocks and thighs will emphasize her curves rather than conceal them in wide trousers with a large pattern. So if she’s wearing a more subtle pattern at the bottom instead, she can “roll it up” more at the top, and that may be better for her figure.
These patterns work for large sizes:
- stripes (they don’t make you fat)
- Points are great
- Flowers are feminine
- Check looks sporty
- Houndstooth is classic
Black and white patterned outfits work easiest and best for plus sizes.
Combine with a bright color like red, yellow or green as you wish – for example with a handbag, shoes or lipstick. This is how some color comes into the outfit.
Samples in the same color family that have similar sample sizes always look good.
For example, blue and white stripes of different widths go together. Also good: dot patterns in small and slightly larger. If you combine patterns AND colors, it quickly becomes wild and irritating to the eye. But practically everything goes with black and white.
You can find brightly patterned clothing in many collections from various brands. Here are a few suitable parts for the pattern mix. If you click on the pictures, you will be connected to the provider.
Viscose blouse with pretty waves Gr. 34-46
Conclusion:
If you are aware of your advantages and skillfully stage them, patterns not only flatter your figure, but also your own charisma and you can actually only win – in whatever outfit!
You might also be interested in:
5 tips to look better online in video conferences.
What fashion professionals wear and you can learn from them
Photos: Subscription Stock, Boden Fashion and Pinterest
The linked articles are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission to finance the work on this blog.
