If you’re a fashionista, you already know there are many different textures and patterns when it comes to clothing, but does that mean that all textures and patterns go together well? The answer is a resounding “no,” which is why some outfits you see look great and others make you say “yikes” to yourself when you see them. Fortunately, you can learn the do’s and don’ts of combining textures in fashion by first learning a few simple rules, and they’re much easier to learn than you think.
Let’s Start With the Basics
First of all, have you ever noticed that some prints look great together even though they each have a completely different pattern, while other prints aren’t so lucky? One of the first rules you have to follow is to always consider your body type and your best features before trying to mix and match textures. Are you a little big or on the heavy side? Then forget about wearing something with horizontal stripes. Do you want to look a little less conspicuous and subtle? Then try smaller prints.
In general, you should stick with no more than two different prints, then match it with a solid-colored purse, belt, or jewelry. If the prints are large and not small, this rule is even more important to follow. If you mix more than two different prints, your outfit looks too “busy” and it can actually be difficult for people to see it there. You should also never have your textures and patterns competing with one another.
Let’s take a look at some specific examples of textures that can or should not go together.
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1. Denim
Who doesn’t love denim? Denim is versatile, comfortable, and suits anyone’s preferences and tastes. If you have a denim jacket and wear it over a cotton t-shirt, it’s a great look, but it’s also a great look to mix denim jeans with a denim jacket or bag. The thin cotton shirt and the other denim items both look great with denim jeans or jacket! This is what we meant when we said that denim is versatile.
2. Silk or Satin
Silk and satin are very smooth and thin, and they tend to look great for both casual and dressy events. You can wear a silk dress to a formal wedding and look fashionable, but you can also wear a silk cami with jeans for a more casual night out on the town. The smoothness and thinness of silk and satin mean you can easily pair them with a thicker texture and they will go well together.
3. Leather/Faux Leather
Believe it or not, leather is getting even more trendy than it was in the past. It’s comfortable and fashionable and a little edgy all at the same time. A leather jacket and leather pants go great together, especially when worn with a thinner shirt or blouse. You can literally go almost anywhere if you wear leather clothing, especially since it can be paired with a lot of different fabrics and textures.
4. Lace
Lace is awfully feminine, which is why so many women love it. Remember that when you mix thin and thick fabrics, they tend to go together well, so pair that lace bodysuit or blouse with a pair of jeans and a jacket and you’re ready to go out on the town. You can also try wearing a lace dress to more formal events, and you’re bound to look amazing.
5. Mesh
Mesh is sheer and comfortable but has to be worn only with particular clothing items. It’s a good layering tool, but if you pull a mesh top over your bra, it will look good and it makes for a perfect exercise outfit. To be honest, mesh has a lot more versatility than most people realize.
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Some Examples
Unfortunately, there are few (if any) hard-and-fast rules when it comes to mixing textures, but here are a few combinations that tend to look great together:
- Corduroy overalls or pants and a cable knit sweater
- Denim jeans and a silk top
- Two casual and neutral-colored articles of clothing
To be sure, you can make some mistakes when combining different textures and patterns, but with some basic knowledge, most of them can be avoided in the end.
