Venturing into Pattern-Mixing!

Hey everyone! I’m trying out pattern-mixing for the first time here. I see it on others who do it so well but I have been hesitant to try it because I’m not really sure how to do it successfully. Plus, I will admit, I do not have that many patterned items of clothing. However, I do have the determination to figure this out!Pattern Mixing on the blog at www.whenthegirlsrule.com

I’ve heard you should make sure there is a common color between the two patterns (white, in this case) but all other advice seems to say anything goes. Supposedly stripes and polka dots are considered neutrals. Also, I’ve read that the scale of patterns should be contrasting and if they’re not, have the colors be highly contrasting (so there goes the common color rule!). Here is a list of suggestions with great images that will inform you and confuse you.

Pattern Mixing on the blog at www.whenthegirlsrule.com

How did I come up with this combination? I pulled out my print items of clothing and scarves and just started laying them on top of each other to see if anything clicked. I know, not very helpful or scientific, but that’s how this pattern combination and outfit came together (and how I put together lots of my other outfits). How about you? Have you tried pattern mixing? Any advice for us beginners on how to make it fresh and stylish instead of random and questionable? I’m going to continue to explore this because I want to learn how to do it and now it’s a challenge and it’s always hard for me to back down from a challenge!

Pattern Mixing on the blog at www.whenthegirlsrule.com

Another thing I’m experimenting with here is wearing different shades of blue, none that match, but calling it good because they’re all blue. Again, this used to be a no-no but no longer. I know that being matchy-matchy is out of style and kinda ages someone (like having your shoes match your purse that matches your scarf) so I work to avoid that but I’m really playing fast and loose with colors here! Similar jacket here and similar shirt in black here and multi-colored here.

Pattern Mixing on the blog at www.whenthegirlsrule.com

So, my lesson here, I think, is that (almost) anything goes with pattern mixing. And I need a blue purse. Or maybe a yellow one. Or maybe a red one to completely throw this outfit into primary color riot. Either way, I’m going to continue to push myself and my fashion knowledge so expect to see the results, good or bad, here in the future.

Linking up with these lovely ladies at Shopping my Closet, 50 is not Old, The Pleated Poppy, Shelbee on the Edge and another Michigan blogger at Color and Grace!

I do not have any affiliation with any of the brands or stores nor do I receive any compensation. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned.

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6 Comments

  1. I love the mix of green (it’s green? or yellow…looks more green on my monitor) patterned scarf and navy and white polka dot top!

    Yeah, I think the “rules” are just more like “guidelines,” and you need to do exactly what you did, and experiment with things, laying this on top of that, etc, to see what *actually* looks good together.

    I love pattern mixing, but also do not own many patterned things! In my “capsule quest,” I have gone to mainly solids and stripes. Even my scarves (if it ever gets cool enough!) are mostly solids these days.

    OH WELL. CAN’T DO IT ALL 🙂

    Bettye

  2. I do the very same thing, Julia, lay things out and wait for something to click. Sometimes the magic happens, sometimes it just falls flat GRIN I’d have loved to see a print bag with this, like a Navy, Black & White striped one, perhaps?

  3. Well, you got all the rules right. And I think throwing eveything on the bed and on top of each other, is a clever thing to do. I am like you, I do not have many patterns and I do not have much experience with mixing, even though I know the “lessons”. I think that in the end I prefer not to mix although I have found out with two outfits that mixing prints actually made the outfis more interesting. So you are right, we should explore this area. Expect to see at least prints in tights with me (also new to me).
    As for your outfit: trial number one is a success. Very natural.
    Greetje

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