You've probably struggled with styling patterned clothes more than once. Although they look beautiful on the hanger, when it comes time to style them, it's difficult to match them with accessories and other pieces. This is a problem that many women struggle with. That's why we've prepared a comprehensive guide on the power of prints and patterns in clothing. We'll show you how to combine patterns and choose the perfect outfit for you.
Pattern and your personality
Find out what patterns dominate your wardrobe? In fact, the choices we make when shopping are closely linked to our psyche. If you're artistic and dress in a street style, you won't be afraid of graphic, avant-garde patterns, slogans, or prints . If you're determined, bold, and uncompromising, you'll likely gravitate toward classic patterns that fit the business dress code, such as houndstooth, checks, or stripes . A romantic and delicate personality, on the other hand, is quite likely to choose floral motifs and subtle patterns .
Pattern and age
Patterns, regardless of age, perfectly complement and diversify any outfit. But certain patterns make us look a bit more elegant and sophisticated. That's why it's worth knowing them! These include checks, stripes, houndstooth, paisley (peacock eye), and small polka dots . Others, such as animal motifs, flowers, graphic prints, and bold lettering, give us a more modern look due to their less formal tone. Therefore, depending on whether we want to look younger or more serious, choose patterns that fit either a formal or semi-formal, casual, or lifestyle style.
Pattern and body type
Patterns on clothes can effectively draw the eye away from the perhaps not entirely proportionate parts of our body that we want to conceal. Therefore, when considering how to style patterned clothing, you should try to draw the viewer's attention to other parts of your figure, highlighting your assets with a patterned motif. Plain, darker clothing is best for concealing the parts you don't want to show. For example, a disproportion between wider hips and narrower shoulders can be offset by choosing a floral blouse and dark, straight-leg trousers.
A well-fitted dress with a pattern will also conceal figure flaws , drawing attention to the pattern rather than to a necessarily disproportionate part of the body, as the pattern dominates not just one area but the entire outfit. Furthermore, certain patterns can visually slim the silhouette. These include vertical stripes, small and medium-sized patterns, and a patterned front gusset "framed" by darker side panels can effectively shave a few pounds.
How to combine colors and patterns of clothes – and how to wear them?
Multicolored patterns will complement plain clothing items in the same color as the pattern, for example, a white blouse with orange polka dots, jeans, and orange heels. Another idea is a brown dress paired with a denim jacket, leopard-print loafers, and a white shirt.
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You can also combine patterns, but this is not the easiest task, so based on experience , we recommend combining floral motifs with black and white patterns (houndstooth, stripes, polka dots) , as well as combining patterns "from the same family", e.g. geometric patterns such as large dots on a blouse and small dots on trousers, or a checked blouse and striped trousers.
With combinations like these, you are only limited by your imagination!
Anna Ochman Stylist
