Print Mixing Philosophy: The Secret to Patterns That Actually Work Together
- Jennifer DeWitt
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
You’ve seen it. That room where somehow floral wallpaper, a geometric rug, and striped pillows look like they were always meant to be together. Or that woman wearing a leopard print belt with a gingham shirt who looks like she just walked out of a J. Crew catalogue. There’s a reason those combinations work, and some people will tell you it’s all about breaking rules or being daring. But because I have an eye for pattern recognition, I’ve cracked the code.
The secret is this: successful print mixing happens in threes—a dominant pattern, a supporting pattern, and a grounding element, usually a solid or subtle texture. (Or, as I often think of it: main character, supporting actress, crew.) Think of it like a conversation where one person leads, another adds commentary, and the third creates comfortable silence. When you try to have four people talking at once, it’s chaos. But three? That’s when the magic happens.
In your home, this might look like a bold floral on your curtains, a smaller-scale stripe on your chair, and solid linen pillows that let both patterns breathe. I can’t stress enough the importance of a hierarchy of scale, too. If the floral is oversized, the stripe can’t be a wide stripe. Similarly, if you mix too many small-scale prints together, your space (or your outfit) will feel dizzying and cluttered.
In your wardrobe, it’s a striped sweater (dominant), printed scarf (supporting), and simple bottom (grounding). The patterns share at least one color, the scales are different enough to create interest without competition, and suddenly you look like you have a secret stylist.
Menswear-Inspired
This is the outfit I’d wear to meet a client who’s been searching for a capable designer who makes the complicated task of redesigning a home or office seem easy.
The camel trousers are the grounding piece—they’re doing all the heavy lifting by staying neutral and letting everything else play. The dominant pattern is that striped sweater, which is exactly bold enough without screaming for attention. Then the glen plaid blazer comes in as a supporting act, adding just enough texture and visual interest to make the whole thing feel considered instead of thrown together.
The polka dot scarf and tortoise sunglasses pick up on the burgundy loafers and bag, which ties the whole look together without being matchy-matchy. It’s the kind of outfit that makes people take you seriously while still letting your personality show up to the meeting.
DRESS (Under $100!) | SHIRT | JACKET | EARRINGS | MARY JANES | NECKLACE | SUNGLASSES | BAG
London Calling
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can pull off leopard print without looking like you’re heading to girls’ night out, here’s your answer.
The leopard dress is absolutely the dominant pattern—there’s no competing with it, and frankly, you shouldn’t try. A crisp, striped shirt layered underneath is the supporting pattern, and it works because stripes and animal prints have been best friends since the ’80s (and unlike some friendships from the ‘80s, this one has aged well).
The cream military-inspired jacket is the grounding piece that calms everything down and makes the whole outfit feel sophisticated instead of chaotic. Burgundy accessories - patent leather mary janes, a crocodile bag (a favorite of Princess Kate!) - add a rich, unexpected pop that makes the neutrals feel expensive.
Think fall luncheon where polished and edgy make the best impression.
Elevated Casual Friday
You might think mixing plaid with polka dots is a bad idea, but we do this kind of thing in interiors all the time with great success. Much like the rooms we design, this outfit looks playful and put together, and what does that equal? Interesting.
The oversized plaid coat is the dominant pattern. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s doing the most. The polka dot blouse supports it by pulling out those warm brown tones while adding a completely different scale of pattern. Wide-leg jeans are the grounding solid, giving your eyes a place to rest between all that pattern play. The brown bag and boots create a tonal column that makes the whole thing feel intentional and polished.
This is the outfit for a Friday when work is a half day, and you need to look pulled together but also be comfortable enough to tackle your entire to-do list without changing clothes.
The truth is, pattern mixing is both bold and strategic. Once you train your eyes to see the formula, you’ll start noticing it everywhere!
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