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So I've noticed that a lot of the newer posters like wearing multiple patterns and since I've been here there are always questions on how to wear 2-3 patterns, questions on scale etc. I just put together a few pics of what I think works when combining multiple patterns. Keep in mind that in my manner of dressing, I rarely if ever wear more than two patterns, and really only prefer to wear one, and I am one of those solid navy tie with everything guys. Mostly, these are outfits that I would not wear now, but again, that I think serve a purpose as a base for those that have trouble combining multiple patterns. These are just my opinions, not rules and I hope this threak serves a purpose, maybe even people can post outfits here that they are having trouble with from a pattern perspective to get feedback. I purposely did not use any solid blue shirts or solid ties because I don't think anyone needs help pairing those items.
First up is a suit. The fabric is a muted brown plaid, so it allows for a bolder shirt and tie. If you look at the outfit, you'll notice there are only really 2 colors in the whole thing, but it pops. I find that muted plaids lend themselves nicely to tattersall/gingham shirts, a striped shirt could just as easily be replaced here, but not too wide on the stripe spacing. What I would not wear here are a plaid shirt or tie, regardless of scale. The other thing I would keep in mind, when wearing patterns, the pattern itself are usually loud enough, no need to ramp up the volume by wearing crazy colors. Save the purple and green plaid tie for the solid navy jacket and blue shirt. the louder the pattern, the more muted the color should be.
Next up is a somewhat similar outfit, brown coat, blue shirt, blue tie. This coat has a streak or rust/brick running through it, so while muted, it has a bit more pop than the one above. Because of that, I kept the shirt very conservative (short of a solid shirt) and the tie has complimentary colors in its pattern. I think everything here goes together tastefully, nothing clashes nor screams at you and nothing is matchy-matchy. Just because the jacket has that rust/brink line does not mean that I run out to find a tie or shirt with a similar color in it to pick up the jacket, matching is not good, coordinating is better.
Now we get a little bit louder. I've noticed a few coats here, grey glen plaids/PoW's that have been too muted. On any pattern that a suit could be made of, you need to go bolder if it is a sportcoat. If it is a windowpane or PoW, it can't be too muted because then it looks like a suit jacket (applies mostly to worsted's). With a coat this loud, I am going to keep everything else as quiet as possible but since I need to have a patterned shirt and tie, I chose something brown as I find that brown "soothes" greys. Again, there are some coordinating colors and while a loud jacket, the outfit overall is not extremely loud. The big plaid of the jacket is large enough to not clash with the smaller checks of the shirt. the tie brings both things together.
I ran out of daylight for the pics so that is all that I have for now, feel free to post your own combinations, questions or to take apart my combinations.
First up is a suit. The fabric is a muted brown plaid, so it allows for a bolder shirt and tie. If you look at the outfit, you'll notice there are only really 2 colors in the whole thing, but it pops. I find that muted plaids lend themselves nicely to tattersall/gingham shirts, a striped shirt could just as easily be replaced here, but not too wide on the stripe spacing. What I would not wear here are a plaid shirt or tie, regardless of scale. The other thing I would keep in mind, when wearing patterns, the pattern itself are usually loud enough, no need to ramp up the volume by wearing crazy colors. Save the purple and green plaid tie for the solid navy jacket and blue shirt. the louder the pattern, the more muted the color should be.
Next up is a somewhat similar outfit, brown coat, blue shirt, blue tie. This coat has a streak or rust/brick running through it, so while muted, it has a bit more pop than the one above. Because of that, I kept the shirt very conservative (short of a solid shirt) and the tie has complimentary colors in its pattern. I think everything here goes together tastefully, nothing clashes nor screams at you and nothing is matchy-matchy. Just because the jacket has that rust/brink line does not mean that I run out to find a tie or shirt with a similar color in it to pick up the jacket, matching is not good, coordinating is better.
Now we get a little bit louder. I've noticed a few coats here, grey glen plaids/PoW's that have been too muted. On any pattern that a suit could be made of, you need to go bolder if it is a sportcoat. If it is a windowpane or PoW, it can't be too muted because then it looks like a suit jacket (applies mostly to worsted's). With a coat this loud, I am going to keep everything else as quiet as possible but since I need to have a patterned shirt and tie, I chose something brown as I find that brown "soothes" greys. Again, there are some coordinating colors and while a loud jacket, the outfit overall is not extremely loud. The big plaid of the jacket is large enough to not clash with the smaller checks of the shirt. the tie brings both things together.
I ran out of daylight for the pics so that is all that I have for now, feel free to post your own combinations, questions or to take apart my combinations.
