Mixing Patterns on an outfit

This question is often not just asked by ladies but also by the men!  The men needed to know if they can match patterned shirt with patterned tie.  From past experience, some people say you can mix patterns, some people think otherwise.  What do you think?

Patterns of different scale
Pic Cr: www.glamour.com
 

The fact is, you can mix patterns on an outfit as long as you following the guidelines below.  Mixing patterns can be interesting or totally clashing.  Though it should be done with some caution, it does add interest to your dressing.  Here are some guidelines to ensure that you are on the right track with mixing patterns.

1)      Make sure you combine patterns that are of different scale to ensure that the patterns do not confuse the eye.

2)      Do the eye test yourself.   Looking into the mirror, look at your dress then your face.  Look at your dress then your face again.  Feeling satisfied with your dressing, your eye finally settles on your face, then you are combining them right.  If you finished the test with your eye fixed on your outfit and still wondering if it’s ok, then I suggest you make some changes to your outfit.



Bold and creates confusion
Pic Cr: www.vanity-codes.blogspot.com

Some creative people dress with the scale of the patterns being very close and bold.  They are threading on the thin line and must be careful not to create confusion.

However, on formal or business occasions, it is best to keep patterns to its minimum or none at all as it gets more formal.  Similar to accessories (my previous article), the bolder the design, the more informal the outfit becomes.  Dressing for a job interview should also avoid patterns.  First of all it is a formal meeting and secondly, you do not want to risk diverting the attention from you. 

For a start, start simple.  Dress in an outfit with solid colour pieces and patterned pieces combined.  It’s much easier when only one piece of an outfit takes dominance.  Practise makes perfect!

About the Author : Sherrine Teoh is the Principal Image Consultant with Image and You Consultancy.  She runs regular training for corporations and institutions as well as Individual Consultations on Personal Grooming, Dressing and Social Etiquette.  She is also Mrs Singapore Queen of Hope 2012, Mrs Asia International All Nations 2012 and Mrs Photogenic 2012 (Mrs Asia International).