Pattern Mixing for Everyone
31 Oct
2. Stick with patterns going in the same director or have one be an all-over pattern with no discernable direction. (<-Beginner and Intermediate)
3. Pattern mixing is easier when the patterns are different scales. Trying to pair one small pattern with another small pattern can make it look like you got dressed in the dark. Larger patterns paired with smaller patterns look best. (<-Beginner)
Mixing with plaid is a good illustration of all of the tips
Pants | Striped Sweater | Polka Dot Sweater | Blazer
4. If there is a lot of pattern going on, such as with plaid, keep the accessories minimal or neutral. (<-Beginner and Intermediate)
5. When in doubt, throw on a leopard scarf, belt or shoe. But limit it to two of the three. (<-Everyone!)
Need more help? Angie at You Look Fab has some great pattern mixing posts as well.
Four Patterns for Easy Pattern Mixing
And, I hope you keep in mind that I haven’t always been drawn to mixing patterns. So don’t expect to open your closet one morning and suddenly know exactly what patterns to put with what. Start with the beginner tips and work your way up!
Or, you know, submit a question for a You Pick Wednesday post for your specific item or contact me for a closet consultation!
*Note: I did not list links to all the items pictured. If you want help finding something please let me know!
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0Tags: pattern mixing, plaid, polka dots, stripes, you pick wednesday
Right now I’m pretty happy with my closet. But even so there are days when I stand there and stare at all the hangers and think, “I wish I had….”
I’ve had all of these clothing pieces in my closet for a long time. I keep wavering on whether or not to keep the cardigan and then it keeps staying. 
Pairing the fancy sequined skirt with a neutral colored cardigan and nude heels helps keep it from being too bling-y or overwhelming.
The fact that I paired two pieces that could be considered slightly casual but added heels and a blazer makes my outfit work appropriate without being traditional.
I don’t think I would be good at this. But then again, most of my closet is pretty solid with a lack of patterns.
You never know until you try! Stripes are a good starting point. Add in some leopard and some polka dots and you’ve got the basics covered.
You are so smart.
That is all.
Why, thank you! Do you think you’ll be using any of these tips in the future?
I love prints but I don’t own too many of them and the ones I do have I tend to wear with all solid colors. You’re so good at this!
Yep, that was me until about a year ago, too. I started simple with a shirt with one flower on it and a patterned scarf and moved on from there.
I love you. Seriously. I mean, I own like two patterned items of clothing, so with my current wardrobe this doesn’t do much for me, but I’ve always shied away from patterns since I had no idea what to do with them. No more!
Also, does that color wheel rule apply to putting outfits together in general? I had this flash of realization last night that I’m literally getting one outfit out of every item of clothing I own because I don’t know how to mix and match things, and then I realized I don’t know how to mix and match because I know nothing about color. But this color wheel might potentially be helpful?
Yes! You can use the color wheel for solid colored clothing items as well!
I love the idea of mixing patterns, I just don’t own many patterned items! I should get on it! What do you use to make those images with the various clothes together?
I use Polyvore.com to make my image collages.
Great tips! I love that you included difficulty levels, too. The Advanced stuff still intimidates me, but the Beginner and Intermediate stuff is right on! Isn’t it crazy and handy how leopard seems to somehow go with everything?
Leopard is totally a neutral but I can’t quite put my finger on why, exactly. It must have the right combination of colors that go with everything.
Yes! I love how you showed different levels of pattern mixing, sometimes it’s nice to just do a little pattern mix and then I’ve seen some people who just throw everything in their closet on and it still works. I love mixing stripes with florals, they seem to mix well and aren’t too frightening and floral patterned clothing abounds at the thrift stores.
And as you’ve shown, leopard mixes with everything.
I think this is my favorite of your Wednesday posts, it is so helpful and you did a fantastic job breaking it down and explaining everything. (The visuals really help.)
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was really fun to write and I hope it helps people. I just wish I could explain why stripes and florals seem to go together!
This is super-helpful, thanks! I don’t really have any patterns though, so when I go shopping next, I’ll try to find some. Then I can attempt the beginner looks, ha.
Start with stripes or polka dots. Those are really in style right now and are the easiest to mix!
Love this!
This post reminded me to ask if your Bubble necklace came?
I really love mixing my small polka dot shirt with stuff. It’s easy since it’s B&W! I think I need some more polka dotted things.
No, it hasn’t come yet. I really wanted to wear it yesterday, too! Hopefully soon.