Guide to Mixing Prints & Patterns Like a Professional Stylist

Harmfreefashion models vegan and thrifted street style outfits mixing and matching prints and patterns
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If you’re like me, you’re no stranger to prints and patterns. However, trying to get creative with their styling, where you can comfortably mix, match, and clash them, might seem daunting. Here are three tips (and looks demonstrating each trick) to get you started and to up your print-mix game.

1. Keep your focus on the colors by selecting a harmonic color palette

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (windowpane plaid blazer, striped polo shirt, neon orange shorts, black heels, Stella McCartney cognac Popper bag).

By choosing a color palette that blends well together the eye is less distracted by opposing prints and patterns. Any colors that harmonize well together will work here and it also helps to have a color that’s common throughout the outfit.

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (windowpane plaid blazer, striped polo shirt, neon orange shorts, black heels, Stella McCartney cognac Popper bag).

In this look, the windowpane plaid blazer and striped polo shirt both have bits of orange in them and by using neon orange shorts, they help to draw the orange out of the other pieces. If you thought plaids and stripes can’t be worn together let this be proof that with this trick not only do they work but they also mesh extremely well thanks to the harmonizing tones.

The schoolboy vibes of this look make it a perfect back-to-school outfit, a casual work style, or fitting for a stroll in the park. For a more classic and less in-your-face look, swap the bright orange for khaki, beige, or tan shorts.

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (windowpane plaid blazer, striped polo shirt, neon orange shorts, black heels, Stella McCartney cognac Popper bag).

– OUTFIT DETAILS –

HEELS | Matt & Nat (current styles by Matt & Nat)

PURSE | Stella McCartney (current styles by Stella McCartney)

SUNGLASSES | Cole Haan (current styles by Cole Haan)

2. Omit colors from the equation with a black & white theme

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Multicolored Knit Jacket, Basketweave Button-up, Striped Pencil Skirt, Faux Snakeskin Purse, Chainmail Belt, Rombaut Boccaccio Dad Shoes).

Using only black and white clothing makes mixing prints and patterns a breeze and it honestly feels kind of like cheating 🤭. The type of prints you’re pairing is really irrelevant when they are all in the same colors (or rather lack of colors as the case may be) so whether you’re working with florals, stripes, plaids, polka dots, gingham, etc. when they’re all in black and white (or even just a single print is) they work nicely together and thus no combination is off limits.

To further illustrate this, picture the wildest print clash you can think of and then turn that image to greyscale. That’s why this trick works so effortlessly. 💣

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Multicolored Knit Jacket, Basketweave Button-up, Striped Pencil Skirt, Faux Snakeskin Purse, Chainmail Belt, Rombaut Boccaccio Dad Shoes).

I used this tip for the outfit’s base layers (striped pencil skirt and men’s basketweave button-up shirt). You could stop there if you wished and add some red or yellow accessories as they always pop against a black and white backdrop.

Remember this tip is mainly applicable to the patterned pieces so feel free to add some pops of colors with your accessories.

If you’re looking for something a tad more adventuresome, you can layer on a multicolored knit jacket as I’ve done here. I then added some current styles into the mix (dad trainers and faux snakeskin bag) to negate some of the vintage feel and offer an air of laid-back coolness.

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Multicolored Knit Jacket, Basketweave Button-up, Striped Pencil Skirt, Faux Snakeskin Purse, Chainmail Belt, Rombaut Boccaccio Dad Shoes).

– OUTFIT DETAILS –

WHITE DAD SNEAKERS | Rombaut

PURSE | Sans Beast (current styles by Sans Beast)

SUNGLASSES | Prada (current styles by Prada)

3. Use a solid-colored item to break up patterns

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Vintage Printed Blouse + Grey Sweater Vest + Newspaper Print Trousers + Black Heels + Sans Beast Lunchbox Purse + D-Frame Sunglasses).

This final tip allows you to get more wild with your pattern mixing by relying on an item that isn’t printed. You can instantly tame two loud prints with a neutral piece as it will make wild fabrics appear less dominant. Any solid-colored clothing item works for this trick but a vest does an especially good job. 

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Vintage Printed Blouse + Grey Sweater Vest + Newspaper Print Trousers + Black Heels + Sans Beast Lunchbox Purse + D-Frame Sunglasses).

This grey-toned sweater vest works great here because it not only acts as a buffer to separate the newspaper-print trousers from the printed blouse but it also conceals a significant portion of the button-down, which further softens the pattern’s impact.

Applying this tip creates distance between your patterned items, which makes it infinitely easier to wear clashing prints together. You can think of this trick as the fashion equivalent of letting wine breathe.

Harmfreefashion models vegan & thrifted fashion (Vintage Printed Blouse + Grey Sweater Vest + Newspaper Print Trousers + Black Heels + Sans Beast Lunchbox Purse + D-Frame Sunglasses).

– OUTFIT DETAILS –

HEELS | Matt & Nat (current styles by Matt & Nat)

PURSE | Sans Beast (current styles by Sans Beast)

SUNGLASSES | Cole Haan (current styles by Cole Haan)

Final Thoughts

I hope these three tricks will give you some ammo and confidence to experiment with the prints and patterns in your closet. Think of how many more outfit combinations you’ll be able to put together! And for more print clash inspiration, check out how I styled stripes and florals with a paisley print in my 3 White Vegan Sneakers post.

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Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave a kind comment! 💛


michelle-rothenburger-of-harmfree-fashion-vegan-fashion-blogger

Michelle Rothenburger

Michelle Rothenburger is a vegan fashion blogger whose work has been featured in such publications as Marie Claire, InStyle, Woman & Home, and Vilda. Find out more by reading Michelle’s full story (from bullied to fashion influencer) and feel free to send her a personal message.


All your must-have vegan accessories!

Thanks for reading my blog post until the end.

To me, no outfit is complete without some killer accessories, that’s why I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite vegan accessories below.

Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a commission to help support my blog and keep it ad-free.

Combat Boots: You can’t go wrong with these killer black vegan leather combat boots from Viron World. I dedicated this entire post to them and also styled them in a grungy look and for winter.

White Lug-Sole Boots: If you’re looking for an awesome pair of chunky white boots then this pair from Venus is Vegan is a dream. As comfortable as they are chic, you’ll want to style them with everything. Use discount code HARMFREEFASHION20 to save 20% off all styles. I show you three ways to style them for winter and one way for spring.

White Chunky Sneakers: These white trainers from Humans are Vain have the perfect amount of chunkiness in addition to an unexpected splash of color. If you use the coupon code HARMFREEFASHION you’ll get 15% off. Here’s how I styled them with a layered outfit for spring, with mom denim shorts, and with winter layers.

White Low-top Sneakers: If you’re searching for the perfect classic white shoes then these beauties from BeFlamboyant are it. Discount code HARMFREEFASHION will save you 10% off. See how I styled them for winter and with a timeless trench coat.

Timeless Purses: My favorite brand for classic purses is Angela Roi. The styles are all super fashionable and made from a luxurious-looking pebbled vegan leather. I have their Barton mini bag in postbox red, which is sadly out of stock but all of their other styles are equally as cool and timeless.

Personally recommended purse brands: To see a detailed list of my favorite purse brands check out my Best of Vegan Handbags post.

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