If you’re brave enough to experiment with fashion, then this blog is definitely for you. Breaking away from matched sets and perfectly coordinated outfits, mixing prints and colors has emerged as a bold fashion statement. Mixing and matching different prints is an art form that takes practice to master. Clashing patterns create eye-catching looks that exude confidence and style when done well.
Mixing prints allows one to show off their unique style and have fun with fashion. However, it does require an eye for color, scale, and knowing which rules can be bent or broken. The good news is that anyone can become adept at styling mismatched prints with a few tips and tricks.
Today, we’ll provide some helpful guidelines for combining contrasting patterns and several colors in a chic, polished way. With an open mind and a willingness to experiment, mismatched outfits can become your sartorial signature and open up a whole new world of creative expression through fashion. Read on to learn the secrets of mastering this runway-inspired trend.
USE SOLIDS TO BREAK THINGS UP
When pairing mismatched prints, it is advisable to incorporate solid colors to provide visual relief for the eyes. Solid colors act as a neutral base that helps anchor busier prints together into a cohesive outfit. They also make each print stand out more, highlighting their unique textures and patterns.
For example, you can pair a floral blouse with a polka dot skirt, then add a solid color blazer on top and solid color shoes on bottom. The solid pieces would unify the outfit while still allowing each print to shine through. Using the same solid for the blazer and shoes also helps link the top and bottom halves.
In general, choose a solid color that is present in both prints or a complementary neutral shade like navy, olive, or burnt orange. Darker solids tend to work better for bottoms since they ground the outfit, while lighter solids are ideal for layering on top. When in doubt, black is always a stylish choice.
Always remember, the key is balancing the solids and prints so that neither overpowers the other, but rather they work together harmoniously. With a bit of practice, clashing prints paired with solids can become a statement style all its own.
USE ANALOGOUS COLORS TOGETHER
To master the mismatched outfit, pairing analogous colors is key. Analogous colors refer to groups of colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green.
When colors are analogous, they naturally complement one another. Grouping analogous colors together in an outfit creates a cohesive look despite different prints or patterns. For example, a cobalt blue top pairs well with a teal pencil skirt. A seafoam green dress compliments mint green heels. Using a color wheel helps determine which hues are analogous so you can confidently match them.
In addition to pairing analogous colors together, consider the intensity of the colors. Match colors of similar intensity, such as both pastels or both brights. For contrast, pair a lighter pastel color with a brighter jewel tone. The contrast will make the colors pop while still maintaining cohesion.
For extra style points, add an accent color that is adjacent to the color wheel to the analogous colors. For example, orange is adjacent to red and yellow, so adding an orange belt or a printed scarf to a red and yellow outfit creates a stylish trio.
When grouping analogous colors and adding accents, the outfit will look intentionally mismatched in a fashionable, put-together way.
TRY COMPLEMENTARY COLORS TO CREATE A BOLD STATEMENT
Complementary color schemes create bold contrasts that attract attention. Pairing complementary hues, which are opposite each other on the color wheel, is an easy way to make a dramatic fashion statement with mismatched prints.
For example, red and green are complementary colors that provide a vibrant contrast. A red printed top paired with an emerald green printed skirt creates an eye-catching look. Similarly, an orange-printed dress matched with a blue-printed jacket results in a bright, complementary color combination.
When combining complementary colors, balance the intensity by choosing one dominant color and using the other color as an accent. For example, pair a brightly colored printed skirt in a complementary color with a solid neutral-colored top. Or add pops of complementary color with accessories like a printed scarf, bag, or shoes. This helps the mismatched prints look cohesive rather than chaotic.
In summary, choosing color schemes with inherent harmony, such as complementary colors or analogous colors, helps mismatched prints look stylishly coordinated.
STICK WITH THE SAME PRINT OR PATTERN FOR SIMPLICITY
When mismatching prints, it is best to choose patterns from the same print family for a cohesive look. Combining floral prints of different sizes and colors or pairing polka dots and paisley prints of complementary hues creates an eclectic yet stylish outfit. Sticking within the same print category ensures the mismatched patterns do not clash but rather complement each other.
For example, choose two floral prints where one features small blooms and the other larger blossoms, or select two plaid patterns of different scales. Combining a large and small houndstooth print or a tiny dot and a bigger dot pattern is an easy way to mismatch harmoniously. Alternatively, you can pick prints that share a similar motif, like botanicals or geometrics, but differ in scale and color. The key is to keep the overall look balanced by echoing a common theme.
By choosing two prints that share a common motif or color, the resulting outfit appears purposefully eclectic rather than haphazardly thrown together. Following these tips will ensure your mismatched prints are harmonious and chic.
STICK WITH ONE GENERAL COLOR SCHEME WHILE MIXING PRINTS OR PATTERNS
When mixing different prints and patterns, sticking to one general color scheme can create cohesion in an outfit. Choosing prints that share a similar color palette prevents the look from becoming too chaotic or cluttered.
You can start pairing a floral print blouse in shades of blue, yellow, and green with a plaid skirt in navy blue, forest green, and golden yellow. It creates a cohesive, mismatched outfit. The shared colors connect the prints, making the mix-and-match ensemble appear intentionally styled. In contrast, combining that same floral blouse with a plaid skirt in clashing shades of red, orange, and pink risks seeming haphazard and disjointed.
To craft a cohesive color scheme, identify two or three dominant colors that the prints have in common and build around those. Accent colors can also be incorporated but should be used sparingly. For the boldest looks, choose prints with similar scale and intensity. Large-scale, vibrant prints paired together make more of an impact than combining a large print with a small, muted print.
When in doubt, keep the color scheme and print pairing simple. Start with two prints that share only one or two main colors. As confidence builds, more colors and prints can be added to expand the cohesive color story within the outfit.
CHOOSE COLORS WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF SATURATION FOR A MORE UNIFORM COMBINATION.
While combining prints in an outfit, choosing colors with similar saturation levels will help us create a more cohesive look. Saturation is known as the intensity or purity of a color. Colors with the same saturation will have a comparable level of brightness and depth, leading to a harmonious combination in an outfit.
For example, pairing a forest green top with an olive green skirt would work well because both colors have a deep, jewel-tone saturation. In contrast, combining a neon yellow top with a mustard yellow skirt may seem jarring due to their vastly different saturations. The neon yellow has a bright, vivid saturation, while the mustard yellow has a dull, muted saturation.
To determine a color’s saturation, consider how much gray is in the color. Colors with no gray and pure, rich pigments have the highest saturation. The saturation decreases as more gray is added, leading to softer, paler tones. When selecting prints and colors for an outfit, hold pieces up together to check that the saturations are reasonably alike. If one color seems glaringly bright or dull next to the other, choose a different piece for a cohesive, mismatched look.
GOING ENTIRELY MONOCHROME
A popular trend in fashion currently is wearing prints of the same color family from head to toe. Choosing a monochromatic color scheme and wearing separates in the same color range is an easy way to make a bold style statement while still looking put together.
When selecting an all-over color, it is best to choose a shade that flatters one’s skin tone and enhances one’s natural coloring. Pastel pinks, light blues, and mint greens work well for fair skin. Olive skin is complemented by jewel tones like ruby red or emerald green. Darker skin tones can wear deep colors across the spectrum, from eggplant purple to ochre yellow.
Once an overall color is selected, mix and match pieces in the same color family but varying in shade, pattern, and texture. Pair a solid-colored top with a patterned skirt or trousers in a similar hue. Add layers like a blazer, jacket, cardigan, and accessories such as a hat, scarf, or statement necklace to create an eye-catching monochromatic ensemble. Finish the look with shoes, a bag, and other accents to tie it all together.
Monochrome dressing is a striking way to make a style statement without clashing prints. Choosing colors and separates that suit one’s personal attributes will result in a bold yet polished outfit.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, mixing different prints and patterns can result in stylish and fashion-forward outfits when done intentionally and thoughtfully. Anyone can create unique looks that make a statement by following the tips discussed. Remember, there are no fashion police – the only rules that matter are the ones that make you feel confident and reflect your personality. So get out there and start mixing, matching, and breaking the rules.
Most importantly, have fun with it – mismatched outfits are all about creativity and expressing your unique style. So don’t be afraid to experiment and embrace your inner fashion rebel. Mismatched style is here to stay.