How to Mix Prints and Patterns in Clothing

Choose the print you want people to notice first, whether that is a striped shirt, a floral skirt, or a patterned jacket. Then add a second print that plays a quieter role: a narrow stripe beside a large floral, for example, gives your eye a place to rest without making the outfit feel plain.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating start with one print you want to wear.

Two prints do not need to match perfectly, but repeating one or two colors helps them look intentional together. If your skirt has blue, cream, and green flowers, you might pair it with a cream-and-blue striped top; the shared colors connect the pieces even though their patterns differ.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating find a color connection.

Mixing a large-scale print with a smaller one is often easier than combining two prints of equal size and intensity. You can also separate patterns with a solid belt, open cardigan, or pair of pants, especially when you are trying a bolder combination and want the overall look to feel balanced.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating vary the scale and give each piece space.

Look at the outfit from a few steps back rather than judging two fabrics side by side: their proportions, colors, and placement may read differently once you are wearing them. Keep fit in mind, too—a well-fitting top and bottom let the prints be the point of interest, while pulling, bunching, or shifting can make a busy outfit feel busier.

Our team likes to begin with two prints, then add a third only if the outfit still has a clear focal point. For more ideas, explore our guide to mixing prints without clashing; our The Art of Mixing Prints – A Style Guide on How to Mix Prints Without Clashing | Fashion Confidence Digital Download is another option if you want to spend more time with the topic.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating try the combination on as a whole outfit.