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| illustration by Yelena Bryksenkova |
There is nothing more fashionably refreshing than mixing patterns from your wardrobe. Not only does it make a bold statement, but each mixture can be really unique to your own individual style. Plus, I love how easy it looks... like you don't care, and whatever you wear looks great - because you're great. Naturally.
But there is a fine line between chic pattern mixing and clown costume. To help you from looking like you just joined the circus, here are some tips on how to pattern mix...
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1. Black and white goes with everything...
The old rule of thumb is "black goes with everything". The same is true for white (it even goes quite well with itself). So, when pattern mixing, try making one of the patterns a black and white pattern. Polka dots, stripes, floral... whatever will do. It's less about the pattern and more about the color combo. Once you've found your black+white, go crazy with the other print. The more colorful, the better.
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| Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 |
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2. Stick with the same color combo
Too much pattern is a little bit nutty, but can work. Too much pattern AND too much color... that's when you get into circus clown territory. If you are going for colorful, but you want to mix patterns, stick with the same color combo. If a print has blue, black green and yellow, make sure the other pattern is in the same color scheme.
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| 1970's Fashion Editorial Ad |
Try:
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3. (Print) Size Matters
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| Tory Burch on vacation in Myanmar. |
You can easily forgo the last two tips if you are careful with the size of your print. It's simple:
large print + small print = works
small print + small print = doable, but you're walking a slippery slope
large print + large print = circus show
Too large of a print paired with a similar size is extremely distracting. If you are going to pattern mix (and not bother yourself with color combos) make sure that one of the prints stays in the background, while the other takes in the spotlight. Otherwise, you'll have two competing patterns.
4. Rules are for chumps
A tip is just a tip. You can wear whatever you want. If you feel good in it, you'll look good. It's as simple as that.
Try:
Striped Patterned Crop Top - BarnabyJack
Cotton Pencil Skirt - Boden
(click links to find items // photos found on Pinterest)
A tip is just a tip. You can wear whatever you want. If you feel good in it, you'll look good. It's as simple as that.
Try:
Striped Patterned Crop Top - BarnabyJack
Cotton Pencil Skirt - Boden
(click links to find items // photos found on Pinterest)
