Chic Tip #3: How to Wear Patterns

With patterns, there are four considerations:
- Colour
- Size
- Direction
- Subtleties of Stripes


COLOUR
Tonal patterns (e.g. pink on red) attract less attention than those in contrasting colours (e.g. green on red!).

The darker the background, the more slimming the print. So, pink on maroon would look more slimming than pink on red. :)

SIZE
Always choose prints that are in scale with your size.

Petite figures are more flattered by small, low-contrast prints, while taller women can take bigger prints with more contrast (e.g. bold floral on a dark background).

Large women should also choose bigger prints, but may benefit more from the slimming power of a low-contrast design.

A uniform, all-over pattdrn, which keeps the eye from resting on any one spot, is also a good diversionary tactic for voluptuous bodies.

DIRECTION
Vertical lines are preferable to horizontal lines. Diagonal lines that are more vertical than horizontal will have the same elongating effect as well.

STRIPES
Stripes are complex. While in principle, vertical stripes lengthens while horizontal stripes increase heaviness, it's more than that.

Widely placed horizontal stripes, for example, can give the illusion of a bigger bust and - when worn with a dark bottom - can help balance a pear-shaped figure.

If the horizontals are thin and widely spaced, they can have a lengthening effect. Widely spaced vertical stripes can widen.

No matter which way your stripes fall, however, make sure the garment is on the loose side. If it's too tight or stretchy, you'll wind up wearing squiggles! :)