You need to master the knowledge of patterns and prints, mix and match if you are into those things – and you want to look good in them. Oftentimes, people would only choose one pattern or one print to mix up with another plain outfit, like a white sheer blouse with a big floral navy skirt or a striped red crop top with black pants.
In reality, though, you can actually mix up different patterns (or prints) for your top and bottom. If you know how to pull off the arrangement, you will stand out amongst the crowd – in a good way, mind you. You will be able to look fashionably stylish without creating lame effect.
What to Know about Patterns and Prints Mix and Match
People are often afraid to mix up different prints and patterns; simply because they don’t want to make a clown of themselves. The idea of having two different patterns for the top and the bottom can be overwhelming. A lot of people believe that the result won’t be visually good.
However, it turns out that having different prints can be super stylish. It can actually be a feast for the eye if you know how to proportionally manage it. It’s a good thing that there are several good tips that you can use to style up yourself.
Neutral Base as a Starter
Want to do experiments with print and pattern? Go with a neutral basis. It’s safer to choose traditional designs or monochromatic colors. Stripes or polka dots are some of the good examples to mix and match. When you go with a neutral base, you can create a harmonious effect, letting the mixed patterns’ details to pop without overdoing the whole thing.
As it was stated before, polka dots or stripes can be a good option. They are basically the easiest patterns that will match with other prints. For instance, you can pair a striped top with floral pants (or skirt). It’s also possible to match up a polka dot dress with a plaid blazer. What about pairing up a floral shirt with plaid pants or a polka dot top with a skirt having big flowers on it?
Sounds like too much? Not really, if you can match up the colors. As long as your top and bottom come from the same color family, your appearance won’t look like a lame clown.
Scales Mixing
When you want to mix up patterns, make sure that you have grasped the idea of scale management. When you don’t want to make things look chaotic, make sure that you mix up prints with different sizes. It will keep everything balanced. It’s okay to match smaller geometric prints or stripes with bigger flowery patterns. It will result in somewhat organized pattern harmony.
What if you want to mix up similar scales? If the patterns are equally small (or even tiny), you have no issue or whatsoever. But if they are equally big, you need to be careful about it. At least one of them needs to be smaller, so the overall effect would be harmonious and balanced. In reality, scale contrast is able to deliver a visually appealing and dynamic effect. But then again, if you can go with complementary color options, the result would be amazing.
Color Option Is the Key
Go with outfit pieces that have a similar hue. If you choose an earthy tone for today’s theme, then make sure that your top and bottom are within the color family. Do you know that colors have their own ‘temperature’? Reddish and orange-ish are included in warm and hot colors, while coastal hues are considered cooler. When you pick a color, make sure that your outfit theme has a matching tone, so you will look harmonious and balanced, instead of a crash of chaotic mess.
Pick a color base. Do you want to have a daring red outfit or a serene white theme? Make sure that the color family shows up within each piece. A turquoise long sleeved shirt with geometric shape will look gorgeous with black flowy skirt with greenish flowers. The similar color hue will form a connected and single feature, which will draw other people’s eyes to it. As a result, you will have a gorgeous appearance being pulled together.
One Bold and One Plain
What if you want to go with contrast colors? Can you still look good with such a scheme? Why not? Keep in mind, though, that if you want to do this, it means that you need to choose one bold pattern and the other plain. For instance, a pink blouse will look great with a patterned purple skirt. Or a striped blue shirt will look stunning with plain red pants.
