Who doesn’t love breaking the rules every now and then?
You may be scared that mixing patterns and designs will make you look extremely scattered and downright unflattering, but if done correctly, you can actually achieve a more sophisticated, thoughtful, and fashionable effect! I love mixing patterns and colors because it’s a fun way to show your personality and style as well as get more wears out of some of your statement pieces.
Below are three key things I consider when deciding to mix patterns and prints.
- Balance
Lawddddd I cannot stress this enough. Balance is really the key to a beautiful life. So it is in our best interest to keep this theme of balance when deciding to mix and match patterns.
Color Balance: Similar color tones is essential when I decide to mix things up. I especially recommend this for those starting out to avoid feeling overwhelmed. You can decide to stick to a common pattern or print versus a common color, but I find sticking to a color theme makes it easier to tie the entire look together. Take a look at this color wheel and try pairing pieces within your closet that fall close to each other on the spectrum.
Print Balance: Two prints of the same size is confusing to look at. Having variation in the sizing of your print creates a unified outfit. In addition to size, have variation in the prints themselves. For instance, matching a striped top with a different striped bottom does not give enough distinction in your look. Try mixing a polka dot and a stripe or a floral with camouflage pattern, for example.
- Be honest and loving to your figure
Okay, you may have a color theme down, but now it is time to think what patterns and prints would realistically look good on you. Working with your figure is loving your figure. There are certain things that I may love to mix, but at the end of the day because I am 5’9 and have an “average/slim thick” figure, I know I shouldn’t. And that is completely okay. Not everything in this world is for everybody lol.
For example, if you are slim, I would focus on medium prints. Large prints and patterns on smaller sized women can have more of a childish effect. On the other hand, if you are plus size, you may believe you should stick to large prints. Oftentimes, that has the opposite effect as it can make you look unintentionally frumpy instead of enhancing your curves. If you have more of a pear shape (smaller busts and large hips), I would recommend wearing horizontal striped tops or accessories to help balance things out.
- Who gon’ check you boo?
To wear mixed prints and patterns, I dare you to have at least an ounce of “idgaf” per item you put on. You can’t honestly be out here trying to be edgy while simultaneously caring so deeply about what the next person has to say about you whether positive or negative. Mixing patterns is about unlocking YOUR inner style and confidence, not anyone else’s. So do your thing, own your style, and channel your inner She by Sheree because at the end of the day, who gon’ check you boo?!
