Many people want to elevate their style with the help of prints and patterns, which is in fact a great way to go. The issue, however, that many people claim to face is that they are not sure how to go about wearing two (or, why not, three or more) patterns at a time. This can be applied to a casual, everyday look, but it is also something that can be helpful in the workplace: for example, you can wear a shirt featuring a pattern with a tie featuring another.
The rule of thumb
Mixing patterns is actually easier than it seems if you follow one big rule. The basic rule of mixing patterns is that they have to be of different sizes. For example, if you want to wear a striped shirt with a striped tie, you can opt for a shirt that features big, wide, heavy lines and wear it with a tie that features thin lines. This rule applies to all types of pattern combinations, not just those of similar patterns. In this sense, if you want to mix, say, lines with dots; you can go for heavy, bold lines mixed with small dots.
When it comes to mixing three or more patterns, the same rule applies.
Color matters
Once you have this down, all you need to make sure is that the prints go together in terms of color. For this, you can learn a bit about the color theory and the basic types of color schemes. The problem that appears when mixing colorful pattern is that you will have to take your time and decide whether the many colors of one pattern go together with those of the other. For this, you can either take them one by one (for example, you can pair a pattern featuring a warm analog color combination such as red and orange with another pattern featuring a cold analog color combination such as blue and purple) or, based on their dominant color. Some patterns, even though they have many colors, still have a dominant color that comes across from afar.
Exceptions
As with any rule, there is of course the exception. In this instance, the exception is that you can mix patterns that are of the same size under the condition that they are highly contrasting. For example, you mix black and white stripes with red and yellow stripes of the same size. This type of combinations are rather odd and eccentric and take much practice to nail, but can look amazing.
Additional information
When talking about patterns, it is important to understand what the difference between a pattern and a print is. A pattern refers to a structure that can be repeated infinitely (for example tartan, polka dots, pinstripes, etc.), whereas a print is usually referred to something that features a single, unrepeated composition (like a painting or a photograph).
Following this simple rule of mixing patterns can help you make wiser sartorial choices and allow you feel free to experiment with different combinations that will elevate your style.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
The guide to wearing striped shirts with striped ties
The complete guide to mixing patterns and prints
Attire Club Mood Board: Prints and patterns
What are the different types of prints on clothes
How to wear 3 patterns or prints
Classic patterns: A complete guide
A quick guide to wearing animal prints
5 ways to wear an African print
The guide to wearing striped shirts with striped ties
A guide to coordinating the colors of your clothes (+examples)
The professional way to choose the colors of your clothes
P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you mix patterns? Which combinations do you like? How many patterns have you mixed the most at once? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!