How To Pair Patterned Clothing

W earing plain and block-colored clothing can often be the safe way to style an outfit without messing up, but it gets boring pretty fast. Experimenting with your wardrobe and the colors and patterns of your clothing is a great way to find your personal style and make your outfits stand out. Nervous about adding bolder prints and patterns into your everyday outfits? Take it one step at a time!

There are many different ways to pair patterned clothing. You can wear a patterned shirt over jeans, or a patterned coat with an otherwise monochromatic outfit. Or if you know how to work it, pair two different patterned pieces together. In this guide, let’s walk through the different options one can explore.

Different Types of Prints and Patterns

Stripes

Stripes are the most common pattern in clothing. Stripes come in different colors and widths and can be paired with almost everything. They are mostly worn in formal settings but with the appropriate styling and accessories, they can be rather fashionable.

Plaid/Tartan

Plaid is a design where multi-colored stripes running vertically and horizontally create a pattern. Plaid patterns are worn in uniforms or casual wear for a preppy look. Some people also wear plaid for minimal effort outfits as they are part of many people’s daily wear.

Polka Dots

Another commonly-found pattern in clothing, however not something everyone can pull off.

Gingham

A checkered pattern, usually on cotton yarn. Gingham is usually woven on cotton yarn with two colors, mostly white and another color. For example black, green, pink, etc.

Floral Patterns

Just as the name suggests, floral prints include colorful or monochromatic flowers in a repeated pattern.

Animal Prints

These include cheetah print, leopard print, snakeskin patterns, etc.

Geometric Patterns

Geometric prints include repeating patterns of different shapes like squares, triangles, hexagons, etc. These shapes may be drawn hollow or filled with color.

Houndstooth

Houndstooth gives the appearance of an almost-checkered pattern but once you look closely it has a repeating jagged tooth appearance. This pattern is very popular and is versatile and is found often in knitwear.

How to build an outfit

Start Small

If you’re not confident enough to incorporate patterns yet, start small. Get patterned socks, a patterned backpack, clutch, or accessories. This will help ease you into wearing something different than your overall neutral and plain colored wardrobe. 

Stick to a Color Palette

Staying within the same color palette throughout your outfit will make it look more put together, even if you end up pairing more than one different type of pattern with each other.

Wear a Patterned Shirt

Wearing a striped button-down shirt or a floral t-shirt under a matching neutral coat and pant set gives off a classy and stylish look. You can wear this combination in a professional setting to make you look more put together and effortlessly chic at the same time. In an informal setting, like going to a party, you can never go wrong with a floral or animal printed vest paired with dark-colored jeans and a jacket set.

Wear Patterned Layers

Switching up the above-mentioned combo, you can also wear a bold floral patterned jacket or coat on top of a neutral-colored outfit. This combination is a great way to look modish and fashionable without incorporating too many accessories into your outfit of the day.

Wear Patterns that Complement Each Other

The most basic pattern of all is stripes. Almost everyone has striped clothing in their closet, be it wide or thin stripes, light or dark or colorful. Stripes go with almost anything. If you want to mix and match different types of patterns to make an eyecatching outfit, layer colorful floral, geometrical, or plaid patterned pieces on a basic striped outfit.

Don’t Be Afraid To Make Bold Choices

Some patterns don’t seem like they would look good together at all or are too different from each other for one to combine them into an outfit at first glance. However, combining patterns that seemingly “clash” can make you look unique and, when done correctly, turn many heads your way as you walk.

A great way to pull this off is to choose patterns in colors that compliment each other. Pairing a skirt with black and white polka dots with a colorful floral printed jacket results in an attractive and artistic look.

This compilation on how to pair patterned clothing will help you build an outfit that looks attractive and elegant. While simple and neutral clothing seems the easy way out, patterned clothing adds flair to your wardrobe.