Fashionable Tips for Mixing Patterns & Prints with Style
There are different ways to use patterns and prints in your combinations. If you are not a big fan of using them, you can add some accessories with patterns to start with, or you can choose one low-density, small-scale classic pattern for your top. You can always combine printed garments with plain, neutral colour fabrics. If you'd like to wear more than one printed item in your combination, then there are some basic rules to mix and match different patterns and prints.
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Pattern Mixing
Pattern mixing seems like that scary realm that only fashion bloggers, celebrities, and models can enter. But wearing only solid colours is easy, the hard but the fun part is throwing more colours into your outfit by using and mixing patterns. To give you a better idea of where to start, check out these patterns mixing combinations guidelines:
Match the colours first
If the colours look good together, more often the prints will look good together too.
Dominant Colour
You can choose two different prints that share at least one dominant colour.
Two Neutrals
Pair two neutral colour prints. That combination style is a good alternative if you prefer a calmer look.
Invert
If you want to use the same pattern, you can invert the colours.
Bright and Neutral
Pair bright prints with neutral colour prints.
Opposite Colours
Pair the same print with a different colour. For bold combinations, choose the ones that contrast each other.
Dominant and Accent
Choose one print to dominate and one as an accent.
Mix same prints; different scales
Different Density
Use two different density types of the same pattern.
Different Scale
Use the same pattern with different scales, like large on the top and small on the bottom.
Simpler graphic prints are easier to mix
Plaid/Tartan
The easy way to pair plaids is to combine opposites. A large, simple plaid looks perfect when paired with a smaller, busier, more colourful plaid. Or you can pair it with other patterns as you like.
Stripes
Stripes, especially black and white stripes, go with everything. They're so simple, they're pretty much the neutral of prints.
Go Graphics
Graphic prints go great with each other and with more complex or organic prints like floral or animal prints.
Polka Dots
Mixing a polka dot print with another contrasting one with larger or smaller dots is very popular in pattern mixing. Try a larger polka dot on top and pair it with a small polka dot print skirt on the bottom.
Distribute them nicely
* Try distributing your prints more evenly by doing one on the top and one on the bottom, that way your outfit would be less busy
* Spread your prints out across your outfit
* Break up the look with solids. If print-on-print-on-print is too much for you, you can layer in some solid-coloured clothes and accessories like belts to calm things down and ground your look
