Polka dots and Damask, originally uploaded by academichic.
This week we’re participating in a Fashion 101 course on Cardigans. I have a few patterned cardigans that I really like but don’t wear all too often because I feel limited in how to incorporate them into my wardrobe. Thus far, I have always worn them over solid tops, thinking that the cardigan’s pattern necessitated a simple solid colored top underneath. In an attempt to be more creative with my clothing and to get more use out of what I already own, I challenged myself to do some pattern mixing with said patterned cardigans for our Fashion 101 week.
I started with the outfit shown above because I was fairly certain that this particular pattern mix would work: I’m mixing a large damask print with a dark, almost indiscernible small polka dot print. We articulated this pattern mix approach in our Fashion 101 on Pattern last year: it seems like mixing one dominant print (the damask here) with a small print (the polka dot) makes for an interesting yet not overwhelming result.
Polka dots detail, originally uploaded by academichic.
Feeling pretty pleased with the outcome, I thought I would give more pattern mixing a shot. I don’t believe that there is a wrong or right way to do this, since liking the outcome is all a matter of personal taste and aesthetics. What may strike one person as a harmonious combination might appear to someone else as chaotic and overwrought. Case in point with this next combination:
Bold Pattern Mix, originally uploaded by academichic.
This particular mix is too loud for my personal taste. You can see what a difference adding a second bright and large print to an already large and bright print can make. It appears like the patterns are competing for attention since they are equally dominant and bold. They are perhaps also too close in pattern shape, with the damask and floral being both composed of swirls and loops, which also adds to the seemingly combative appearance of this mix.
Dark Stripes and Damask, originally uploaded by academichic.
If two prints that are close in color, similar in shape, and equal in size appear loud and attention-grabbing, I reasoned that perhaps pairing the damask print with a different pattern shape, color, and size a more harmonious result might make. While the above combination of navy stripes with pink damask is interesting, I’m not certain that I love it. I feel neither appalled nor all too excited about it. What do you think of this one?
Light stripes and Damask, originally uploaded by academichic.
I thought that perhaps a lighter, less obtrusive stripe would make this pairing even more harmonious. As with the polka dots of the first example, this light striped pattern is inconspicuous enough that it hardly poses a threat to the damask and the two can co-exist in perfect harmony.
Stripes detail, originally uploaded by academichic.
As a last shot at stripes and damask, I pulled out this pink and white striped top thinking that it would be an absolute disaster with the pink damask. I assumed the monochromatic color scheme to confuse the eye wanting to make sense of different patterns of the same color.
Pink on Pink, originally uploaded by academichic.
I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the result. And then I remembered that we had discussed this phenomenon during out Pattern Mixing modules as well: one way to mitigate the busyness of multiple prints is by keeping the pattern in the same color family. That way you’re only dealing with one variable: the print. The pink on pink pairing shows that a monochromatic pattern mix can prove surprisingly docile.
Plaid and Damask, originally uploaded by academichic.
Lastly, I scoured my closet for what I was sure would be one more I’d-never-leave-the-house-in-this ensemble (as with the red and pink combo above) and pulled out this black and white plaid button down. On the hanger, the colors and print of this top promised to make an absolute awful match with the pink damask, but on myself, I actually love it. The lesson here being: try things on and experiment! None of these combinations ended up looking quite as I had predicted and I was surprised how many pairings that I had deemed inconceivable ended up working well (and vice-versa).
Graphic Tee and Damaks, originally uploaded by academichic.
I tried one last pairing with the patterned cardigan and a graphic tee. The graphic tee provides a small focalized pattern mix and can be an easy way to transition into more daring pattern combinations.
Overall, my two favorite pairings were these ones (the plaid and the small polka dot):
What about yours? How do these different combinations strike you?
I hope this visual exploration of how one might mix a patterned cardigan with various patterned tops has provided you with some inspiration for your own closet. While I am no expert and can only represent my own taste and style, I hope that the one thing you can walk away with, if nothing else, is to experiment and try stuff out. Style rules in the abstract are fine and good, but nothing beats actually trying things on and seeing how methodologies fare once put into practice. So go forth, experiment, and have fun with it!
Wow, what an impact a subtle pattern like polkadot, and stripes have, when paired with your cardigan! It looks great.
My favorite is the pairing with the black and white striped top.
This is a great post! Now I want to run home and play in my closet :) I like the polka dot top the best. Very cute!
I love your little experiment. My favourite outfites are the combinations with the polka dots and the pink-on-pink one.
I love this! Thank you!!!
I have a black and white cardigan very similar to yours and sometimes struggle with what to wear with it. So thank you again!!
PS – my three favorites are the polka dots, the plaid, and then the pink stripes.
I think this cardigan should make the trip across the pond with you – it looks so good on you S.
Hi! I just found your blog from a link on Sal’s Already Pretty site.
I too have a patterned cardigan that has been languishing in the back of my wardrobe unworn. I now am going to take it out and experiment with it. Thank you :)
This is a great idea! I don’t have any printed cardigans because I figured they would work better if they were neutral but you’ve inspired me! I like the printed tee combo, it’s quirky!
I actually really like the cardi with the navy stripes… so pretty!
…it’s funny how you can tell where my pictures are taken. Must admit, Hamilton has some good nooks…
I love your two top picks! They were my favorite as well. This post definitely has me thinking about my own wardrobe. I love pattern, but am wary of mixing it up, but this makes me want to go through my outfits and experiment!
I love the polka dot most of all, but all your commentary was right on! I’ll have to play around with patterned cardigans more often!
those were my two favorites as well – i like the polka dots more than the plaid though. my least favorite was the red top; pink and red is one color combination that i completely despise and refuse to wear together
i love the experimenting though! i’ve been trying to mix patterns more and i’m really liking the effect.
This is so helpful, S. I STILL live in fear of pattern mixing, but love the reminder to simply play around and see what works. And, for the record, I LOVE the red print with the cardi!
I had no idea how many patterns went together so well – this is fantastic! It makes me want a patterned cardi! My favorite was the tiny polka dot – from far away, it looked like a solid navy blouse, but when I saw that it was pindots, I loved it! Such a wonderful, subtle surprise against the cardi.
Wonderful post!
My favorite is the navy/white striped henley under the cardigan. The contrast between the patterns and the colors is just the perfect balance. Plus, stripes is such a clean/neat pattern that it’s a great one to mix with busier patters like florals or abstract prints.
I can see why other people might like the red and pink combo, but it’s too loud for me as well! My favorite was the polka dot version though I was pleasantly surprised by the pink-on-pink. Also a great reminder to always try things on!
Such a great idea to play with the patterns! My favorites were the black polka dots and the light blue stripes.
this is wonderful! i love the mixing of patterns. i really don’t see why people are so frightened – it’s such an interesting look to wear!
I like your small-and-large pattern mixing. I think it would have been interesting if your blouses weren’t a neutral shade but some color like purple or maybe dark teal. I liked the combination with the light blue striped top too. I thought it looked very delicate. Thanks for the tutorial!
These are all great! I love the plaid one the best, I think. :)
This post has reminded me just how much I truly love a printed cardigan. Thanks lady! My favorite was with the gray and white stripe top.
I’d pick the exact two that you did! I think what makes it work the most is the darker color short lighter color cardi combination with an evenly distributed geometric pattern inside. Flower-flower (red/pink) is my least favorite and the lighter colored tops make the color of the cardigan fade. Does that make sense?
I forgot to say I love your cardigan. :)
Thanks for playing along everyone! It’s been fun to get your reactions on the different pattern combinations. S.
The polka dots is def the best pairing. It’s funny how many people’s opinions differ on the others. Cool experiment. I think the navy henley stripes don’t work bc the henley style is too casual for that cardigan.
The pale blue stripes hardly read as stripes from afar and do give it a dainty look (in a good way).
The red blouse is a little loud, but I think it could work. I like it better than the screen print tee or the plaid.
I really like the polka dots and the dark stripes pairings. They really make the pattern on the cardigan pop! Thanks for the new ideas. Now I just need to get some non-solid cardigans :)
What a fun little game – I have a blue damask cardi, so this was especially relevant! I love the plaid one best but I really liked the pink on pink which I was surprised by!
I actually like the third combination. The pink looked great with the black stripes. But then this was a hard choice because the cardigan you chose has a yummy color and a great print :D
I really loved the red flowered shirt with the cardigan. Almost a little avantgarde. The problem is the jeans, a bold combination like that needs something stronger. Maybe just widelegged pants.
I also like the brown dots best. I agree with bluerose that the red flowered shirt might be more wearable with a different bottom. Maybe a white circle skirt with white accessories?
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This is a great post, and one I will be referencing in the future when I become more adventurous.
I really love the black and white striped tee combo. I am convinced that black and white stripes go with anything at all. I like the graphic nature of the paring, and the color combo of pink and black is a fave (also love the dotted blouse).
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