Learn the tips and tricks to enliven your wardrobe
by experimenting with patterned clothes
Yesterday I saw a girl wearing a floral dress with a red background and leopard print cuffs and belt. It looked funky and really worked. I thought I might make something along those lines. I wouldn’t have got anywhere near that thought a few years ago.
It wasn’t till my early thirties that I embraced pattern. I was a little scared of patterned clothes, especially floral – oh my! – and strangely thought it was an older person’s thing. But in my recent years, having taught myself about colour and style I have embraced pattern and found it to be a joy.
I had a slow journey of embracing patterns into my personal style and I don’t think I’m alone in that. It’s common for us to have reservations about patterns especially if we haven’t had much exposure to them or have felt unsure about how to incorporate them into our wardrobe.
Incorporating patterns into your outfits can add vibrance and a unique aspect to your overall look. Combining different patterns like the floral dress with the leopard print I saw recently can create a visually appealing and eclectic style that reflects your personality.
Patern mixing has been seen as a no-no in the past but there is a current vibe of leopard-print background with floral detail. I’ve seen very few examples of this that actually work but this wiggle dress from Pretty Kitty seems to cut it.
Don’t limit yourself to leopard print though. Think about polka dots with stripes, checks with gingham etc.
Mixed patterns are very of the now and there are some great ready-made options waiting for you. Although it’s great to explore your creativity and experiment for yourself especially if you are a seamstress and can make up whatever you like.
Proceed with Caution, I dare you.
There are some do’s and don’ts to bear in mind when you wear patterned clothes:
- Start experimenting and get creative
Explore the combining of items already in your wardrobe that you have been cautious of wearing, rather than buying new pieces you are not sure about. This will save you money and allow you to try things out without risk.
- Split up suits or tops and skirts into separates.
Many times I have bought something and been disappointed each time I put it on to later discover it was the right thing but I was wearing it the wrong way. When I tried wearing a patterned suit as a separate, I found it suddenly worked for me. A head-to-toe pattern, even if it is a Prince of Wales check, can be tricky to wear until you get really confident, so try splitting it up into separates and combining the pattern with a neutral or solid colour if something isn’t working.
- Combine things wildly with a similar colour or pattern
You don’t always have to match patterns. A clash of colours or patterns can work really well if the colours are of the same colour family — deep and bright with deep and bright rather than deep and bright with pastel and muted — although many times breaking the rules can work too.
As a stylist, I would always encourage you to wear colours in your palette, these are the ones that work with your skin tone, eye and hair colour. If you aren’t sure if your creation works ask a trusted friend, someone you know will give you an honest answer.
The Japanese kimono is a superb example of how well different patterns can work together well.
- Keep it simple
Generally, it’s a good idea to keep your pattern mixing to two patterns. Whilst you can get into combining several patterns when you are more confident, start with something simple to keep the look stylish and not too complicated.
- Think about size and proportion
If one print is large, wear it with another on a smaller scale and combine a loud vibrant pattern with a more subtle one to create balance.
Wear a big pattern if you are tall and bold with a fuller figure and delicate prints if you have a small and delicate frame. A small print on a larger frame can be ok but a large print on a small frame will swamp you and you will disappear.
Use the print and the colour to sell your assets and complement your body shape — if you are top-heavy and wearing a print on your bottom half, use the darkest colour from the pattern in a plain fabric for your top half. You can also make a big statement with a big pattern on your top half if this suits your character.
If you are pear-shaped, so if your hips are wider than your shoulders, and wearing the pattern on your bottom half, choose the lightest colour from the pattern and wear that on your top half to balance your shape.
- Accessorise in keeping with your pattern choice
A statement jewellery piece on the top plain colour with a bold pattern below, and a delicate jewellery piece with a small pattern option will make everything look coordinated and balanced.
Actually, there are no rules — and if there are, you can break them
As you continue to explore patterns and develop your sense of style, remember that fashion and style are all about self-expression and having fun. There are no strict rules, and the most important thing is that you feel confident and comfortable in what you wear. Whether it’s experimenting with different colour combinations or patterns, your evolving fashion choices can be a reflection of your personal growth and creativity.
Trust your instincts and have confidence in your choices — after all, fashion and style are about embracing your individuality and celebrating what makes you unique.
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