Mixing Prints and Patterns like an expert.There is always a cool lady that turns heads as she walks by in her effortlessly put together outfit. She is smart and classy. And also have an eye for colour and pattern. Have you ever wished you could mix prints and patterns like an expert? Holla!  it is not as hard as it looks.Learning the art of Mixing patterns could not come at a better time. Designers have been featuring more beautiful pattern and prints recently.

The 70s fashion  love for strips and patterns is on trend as well as florals and graphic with grid prints. With so many good prints in style to choose from. It is time to get bold and try combining your favourites.

Below are 8 simple rules for mixing patterns:

1. Mix patterns from the same colour family

Using hues from one main colour when mixing patterns can create subtle look yet showing your daring side. It is still stimulating for the eye but in refined way.

2. You have to think of some patterns or textures as solids

One who have a houndstooth skirt should think of it as solid. Same can go for small polka dots and thin strips with checks. They are small and understated that the eye can view them as a solid though they are really not.

3. Look for patterns that compliment each other

The last thing you want to do is look like you got dressed in the dark. One way to make sure that does not happen is to choose patterns that compliment each other.

4. Do not go too matchy

Combining patterns is supposed to be fun. Despite the fact that it can look cool. Do not go out head-to-toe in one pattern. That is too matchy-matchy. Though if you want to push the envelope switch up the colours of the matching patterns like Rhianna did in the picture below. It is a new twist on pattern mixing that keeps the overly matchy-matchy concept fresh.

5. Space the patterns

There is no need to wear a pattern skirt with a patterned jacket or top. Sometimes mixing a top or skirt with patterned shoes can give your outfit the right amount of Wow you are looking for. Or try a patterned scarf with a solid top and patterned bottoms.

6. Combine Pattern of different densities or sizes

Rather than mix dense prints with dense prints which can cause a mess try mixing a dense print with a sparse print. The same goes for layer prints and smaller prints. Usually if you mix different densities and sizes. The prints balance each other out because one becomes the focal point and the other becomes the sidekick.

7. The simpler and more graphic the prints the easier they are to mix

This is why stripes especially black and white stripes go with everything. They are pretty much the neutral of prints. Graphics prints go great with each other and with more complex or organic prints like florals or animal prints. These more complicated prints can also look nice together but it is not an easy as to pull off colour and scale become more important.

8. Use Accessories Wisely

As buttressed in No.5 sometimes spacing out pattern can help breakup the visual space. Accessories are your friend and your foe with mixing patterns. They can overwhelm or balance an outfit. Using a coloured belt to breakup two different patterned pieces can work really well as can coloured shoes or a neutral purse. Just be careful not to overdo it because the focus of the outfit is the pattern and not the accessories.

now I realize it might be really easy for me to walk into my closet and walk out wearing floral patterns head-to-toe and look fine. Though it is often hard to other people. I use these 8 simple rules when mixing patterns and with a little confidence anyone can rock the look.