The short answer: Start with one anchor print. Pick out a colour from it and echo that colour somewhere else in your outfit. Then add a second print in a different scale, so big with small or bold with subtle. Finally, check that your eye moves easily around the whole look. Pattern mixing isn’t a talent you’re born with; it’s a skill you can learn and develop over time.
Okay, so let’s talk in more detail about pattern mixing.
Something I hear a lot from women is:
“Oooo, I love pattern mixing when I see it on other people…”
But when I ask,
“So, do you want to give it a try?” More often than not, there’s a hesitation and a “Nooo, that’s not for me… I’m not [stylish/bold/confident] enough.”
So often, without even trying, they’ve already decided it’s not for them. Usually, because deep down, there’s a quiet fear that they’ll get it wrong and end up looking a bit ridiculous.
And I get it.
Especially if you’re new to it, pattern mixing can feel risky. It seems like the kind of styling move reserved for women with fashion degrees, or the stylists pulling looks for the cover of Vogue.
But here’s the thing.
Even though pattern mixing can look like it’s been thrown together in a flurry of fabulous chaos, when it works, it’s because it’s been put together with intention. There’s actually a method behind the madness.
So if you’ve ever tried it and it didn’t work, here’s the truth: it’s not because you can’t do it. It’s not because you’re not “enough” to pull it off. It's because you didn't know the method!
So I’m going to encourage you to give it another go gently.
Because once you understand how to build a pattern mix with purpose and you’ve got a bit of structure behind it, it gets easier. And honestly, a lot more fun!
You don’t need to be a fashion editor or a stylist. You just need to know what you’re looking for!
So grab a coffee, and let’s get into the three simple steps that’ll help you mix prints like a pro, no fashion degree required.
Why Does Pattern Mixing Feel So Hard?
There’s a funny thing we do, especially when it comes to style, where we expect to be good at something without ever practising it.
So if you’ve tried pattern mixing in the past and didn’t love the result (maybe it looked chaotic or just felt a bit off), it’s not because you’re not stylish enough, bold enough, or capable enough to carry it off.
You absolutely are.
It’s usually more about practice and strategy than anything else.
You wouldn’t expect to speak French without learning and practising, would you?
So if no one’s ever shown you how to mix patterns like an absolute goddess, then why on earth would you know how to do it? Just like style pattern mixing is a skill, one you can learn.
And then there’s the confidence gap.
The confidence to wear the bolder thing comes from simply doing it. Repeatedly. Until it doesn’t feel scary anymore.
BUT
If you’re not used to wearing something that feels a bit more individual or attention-grabbing, it often makes the most sense to take a stepping-stone approach. You build up to where you want to be. Bit by bit vs jumping in with both feet.
Anyhoo, the purpose of this blog is to take the guesswork out of it and give you a bit of structure (not rules, promise)..
What Makes Pattern Mixing Look Messy and Too Busy (Not in a Good Way)?
First, here are a few common things that tend to trip people up when they start mixing patterns, and it’s not quite landing how they want:
Pairing two patterns that are too similar in size:
Like teeny-tiny florals next to teeny-tiny polka dots. There’s not enough contrast, so your eye doesn’t know where to focus — and the whole outfit can feel a bit messy, even if the pieces are lovely on their own.
No colour thread to connect the pieces
Pattern mixing works best when there’s a visual through-line. A shared colour, even just a hint, creates cohesion and makes it feel intentional, not random.
Hovering or half-committing vs going all in.
We’ll come back to that shortly, because spoiler: sometimes more is better.
How Do You Mix Patterns? The 3-Step Pattern Play Framework
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a “right way or wrong way” situation.
There’s no one way to mix patterns, no sacred rules carved into a fashion stone tablet. It’s about finding what feels good for you and understanding the little things that make a mixed-print outfit work, so you’re not just throwing things together and hoping for the best.
This is the method I’ve found works really well for me (and for the women I style). It takes out the guesswork and gives you a bit of structure, so you can get playful and feel confident doing it.
Step 1: Pick Your Anchor Pattern
Start by choosing your first print. This is what we’ll call your anchor pattern, the one you’re building the rest of the outfit around.
It might be:
a bold tartan
a delicate or massive floral
a favourite striped top
a leopard print that’s been hanging around waiting for a moment
Whatever it is, this becomes your starting point, and we’ll use it to help make decisions about what comes next.
Step 2: Pick Your Colour Thread
Next, pick a colour from your anchor pattern that you can echo somewhere else in your outfit.
This doesn’t need to be a big splash; it can be:
a tiny pop of blue in a stripe
a blush tone in a floral
a sliver of tan in an animal print
It doesn’t have to be an exact match. Just similar enough to create that sense of connection.
That colour becomes your thread, which is a visual link that pulls the whole thing together.
When you get this right, it’s the moment your brain quietly goes, “Ah, yes, that works.”
Step 3: Choose Your Second Print (Using the Colour Thread + Contrast in Scale as the filter)
Now it’s time to bring in your second pattern, and this is where the colour thread and a contrast in scale come together.
Sometimes these happen at the same time. You’ll spot a bit of green in your anchor pattern and realise your polka-dot skirt has green too.
Or you’ll notice your striped jumper is quite bold, so you balance it with a smaller-scale floral. Or you think, ooo, I can add a belt here which will nod to that down there!
When choosing your second print, make sure it:
echoes the colour thread from your anchor pattern
contrasts in scale: big with small, bold with subtle, chunky with delicate
That balance is what gives your outfit harmony and stops the prints from competing.
I’ve heard some prints are neutrals. Is this true?
Yes, I treat animal prints like leopard, snakeskin, camo, and zebra just like neutrals.
They don’t shout for attention the way some other prints do, and they pair beautifully with a whole range of other patterns.
So if you’re feeling nervous about diving into pattern mixing, starting with one of these in the mix is a great way to ease in!
How Do You Know If Your Pattern Mix Works?
The Eye-Flow Check is Your Final Test
Before you leave the house, do one final check.
Ask yourself:
Does my eye move around the outfit easily, or does it get stuck somewhere?
If it flows, you’re good to go.
If something feels “off”, it’s usually one of these:
The prints are too similar in scale
There’s no colour thread tying them together
You’re hovering, not quite fully committing to the look
Sometimes, to make it really work, you need to lean more into the pattern mix look, not less, because that makes it intentional vs a but random!
Why Does My Pattern Mix Still Feel a Bit Meh?
Let’s expand on why only sort of committing can fall flat and why full commitment can be the magic.
Pattern mixing can feel like a lot; I get it.
If you’re not used to it, throwing on three clashing prints might feel like dressing up for a theatre show you didn’t audition for. So it makes total sense to start small.
One of my clients started with a tiny striped sock and a leopard print scarf. That was her version of pattern mixing, and it was a brilliant stepping stone from her usual all-black. It gave her a way in without feeling overwhelmed.
But here’s what she said later:
"I mean, technically pattern mixing and it's ok… but it doesn’t give me the FYEAH feels like I get when I see it on other people."
Sometimes, when we dip a toe in just a whisper of a mix, nothing too bold, it doesn’t quite land.
Not because you’ve done it wrong, but because you’re holding back. And with pattern mixing, especially, the real joy comes when you just go for it.
It’s one of those things that often works best when you fully commit vs trying to just sneak instead! That’s when the energy clicks. That’s when the outfit feels like a fuck yeah!
And honestly, IMO, this applies across the board when it comes to personal style. I see women holding back all the time!
Examples, please, Sarah! Of course...
You like the oversized look, so you buy the oversized trousers, but pair them with your usual slim-fit top because fully oversized feels “too much”
You wear a bold colour… but only as a sock or nail polish, not because you don’t want to go head to toe, but because the full dress feels scary!
And again, starting small is fine. There’s nothing wrong with taking it one step at a time.
But just know: sometimes, the reason something isn’t quite working is that you’re hovering.
You’re doing the idea… but not quite owning it.
So if your outfit feels a bit off, try asking yourself: What would this look like if I leaned in just a little more?
That’s usually where the magic lives, and often confidence makes styling decisions land, not the other way round!
There are a couple of prints that, in my book, you can treat just like neutrals.
Leopard and camo are two of them.
They don’t shout for attention the way some other prints do, and they pair beautifully with a whole range of other patterns.
So if you’re feeling nervous about diving into pattern mixing, starting with one of these in the mix is a great way to ease in!
Real-Life Examples from my outfits
et’s break down what this actually looks like in real life
I fully committed here!
Camo jacket + shorts + snakeskin boots
Anchor Pattern: Leopard shorts
Colour Thread: Leopard + Camo +Snake skin = Neutrals + Tee breaks up the neutral
Scale Contrast: Larger camo + smaller leopard + solid colour with bigger pattern
Stripes + Polka Dots
Anchor Pattern: Stripes shirt
Colour Thread: Pink stripe in the shirt, and the white dots echo the pink & white stripes in the trousers. The black and white patterns echo each other and pull it together
Scale Contrast: Large polka dots + small stripes
Eye Flow: Nothing felt random; everything looked intentional
Quick Pattern Mixing Q&A
These are common Qs I hear all the time:
Pattern Mixing FAQs
What’s the easiest way to start mixing patterns?
Pick one anchor print you love, then add a second print that shares one of its colours and is a different scale. If that feels like a lot, start with a smaller piece like a scarf or socks as a stepping stone.
Do the colours in my prints have to match exactly?
No. They just need to be similar enough to create a connection. A hint of the same colour is enough to make the mix feel intentional.
Is there a right way to mix patterns?
There are no hard rules. The method just takes the guesswork out, so you can play with it and find what feels good for you.
Can women over 40 wear bold pattern mixing?
Absolutely. Pattern mixing is a skill, not an age thing. If bold feels scary, build up to it bit by bit.
Why does my pattern mix still feel flat?
Usually because you’re hovering. If the prints have a colour thread and contrast in scale but it still feels meh, try leaning in a little more, not less.
Can I still wear a solid colour with pattern mixing?
Absolutely, as you can see from my examples, I do this a lot. Adding a solid piece can help ground the outfit and give the eye a bit of a breather.
Is there a colour formula or ratio I should follow?
I don’t work in numbers; I go by feel.
But if you’re someone who likes a bit of structure, the 60-30-10 rule can help. That’s 60% main colour, 30% secondary, 10% pop. It’s more of a guide than a rule, but it can give you a useful starting point. But also, IMO, don't get too stuck on it, and you absolutely can go for more than 3 colours!
Can I pattern mix with accessories?
Absolutely. Scarves, shoes, bags, even tights- accessories are a great way to dip your toe in, or add an extra pattern once you’re confident.
Final Encouragement For Your Pattern Mixing Adventures
Let’s wrap this up with a gentle reminder:
You don’t have to get it right the first time.
This is play, not pressure!
When you understand how to mix patterns with intention, using colour, scale, and flow, the whole thing becomes less intimidating and a lot more fun!
So go play. See what happens when you lean in. Try a new combo, even just for nipping to the supermarket for milk or WFH! I bet you any money you'll be surprised yourself at how you make it work!
And if you feel you need a bit more help, feel free to DM me on Instagram with your questions or fill out this form here.
Have you tried pattern mixing? Comment below and let me know.
Till next time
Your pattern mixing cheerleader
Sarah xoxoxo
BTW, if you have a wardrobe full of clothes but still feel like you have nothing to wear, read this blog post here to find out why that happens and what to do about it.
