Are there rules for matching / complementing patterns?

[MrAmbrose]

Let's say I've got a black and white herringbone polo coat. For the sake of argument let's imagine it looks like this:



Now let's assume I'd like to wear a cap and a scarf with said coat. Should I avoid herringbone in the cap? Or would something like this work:


Finally let's say I add a scarf with a plaid pattern. Like so:



Is the whole too loud and busy? Or does it work?

What cap and scarf would you pair with this coat?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Diamondflame]

I have a very similar-looking herringbone peacoat. IMO the herringbone pattern offers more of a texture, subtle enough to avoid clashing with the bolder checks on the scarf. I’m not too confident about that cap though; doesn’t seem like a good fit. IMO mixing cool with warm tones in an outfit could get tricky if it’s not done in the right proportions.

 

[MrAmbrose]

Thanks Diamondflame.

How about if the cap were in a gray/charcoal but still a herringbone? Like this:



Or a navy donegal?


What about a prince of wales check in gray?

 

[Diamondflame]

IMO anyone of those 3 makes a better option to go with your grey herringbone coat.

 

[ValidusLA]

I agree w/ Diamondflame. I think any of those three caps would be a better choice to go w/ that coat. I don't wear hats much, but were I to choose one of the three I would choose the navy donegal.

Also - would try to choose pants that weren't too busy w/ that coat.

I'm also not sure I'd do a Burberry-ish scarf in general. Like that guy clearly means to look like Burberry check but it isn't.

 

[MrAmbrose]

Thanks gentlemen

 

[samtalkstyle]

I have a grey herringbone coat (mine is a little darker than pictured one) and a POW hat like the one you pictured and have found that they don't go together well.

My go-to hat to pair with mine has been a charcoal plain wool. I feel the Donegal pictured might work well for you.

 

[johng70]

I agree with the donegal. It's tough to have two dominant patterns and have it work well. The charcoal herringbone would be the second choice but the prince of whales would clash IMO and the brown hat just wouldn't work well.

 

[Alexography]

I'm one for pushing what 'clashing' colours and patterns I wear together and believe the second three hats are the much better option. I would probably not match the herringbone patterns as would be too uniform for my taste. I would probably agree with the others that the donegal might work best, however that wouldn't mean the prince of wales wouldn't work. It would most likely be my choice.

Imo a plain scarf would look much more elegant. Jazz it up with the other patterns.