When choosing prints and patterns to go with your colours swatch you need to match the colour properties of the colours. This includes the intensity, undertone and value of the swatch with the print or pattern. Learning how to incorporate just one pattern at a time will give you a great foundation for mixing patterns later on.
Firstly, wear a pattern under something more neutral. The easiest way to incorporate a print into your current wardrobe is to find a print that you can put under something—for example, a printed shirt underneath a suit or blazer. The jacket will cover most of the print, revealing just a hint of it. If you’re feeling bold, you can remove the jacket to show off the print. Start with a subtle piece of clothing. If a patterned shirt or dress feels like too much, start with socks, a handbag, or a scarf. Patterned accessories can add a point of interest to your look without feeling over the top.
Prints are personal: Just because you love a print doesn't mean everyone else is going love it, and that’s okay. Most neutrals are universally appealing. That's not the case with prints. So don't be disheartened if not everyone loves your print, and wear what makes you feel good.
Start with classic, simple prints: stripes, polka-dots, and florals. Then, layer on a bolder print. For example, try a classic striped T-shirt with a more exciting geometric pattern layered on top. The lines in both patterns will compliment each other, and the simple stripe will act as a neutral. Also, you may try embracing the power clash. You don't always have to match patterns. Mixing bold patterns like leopard print and plaid may seem like a fashion faux pas, but there’s a lot of power in selecting two prints that don’t share any commonalities. Anchor the look with a neutral item, like a black blazer or denim jacket.
Lastly, remember using colours that you feeling it. When working with mixed prints, pay close attention to colors. Bold patterns in neutral colors, like black and white, can offset wildly different patterns in a more vibrant color scheme. One strategy is to mix a monochrome pattern, like a red-and-white polka-dot, with a multicolor pattern that features the color from the monochrome, like a red floral print.
Text : Ava.K Johnson / Photos ： n a t a l i a g w / Model : l u i s a p é r e z / MUA: a l i c i a r u í z 17 January, 2021
