Choosing a pattern always has two sides – emotional and technical. When thinking about the fashion world and the most popular clothing patterns, the emotional side often is the leading one in this couple.
It has been proven that one of the leading criteria for choosing clothes is color. This is also very understandable, because emotions live in colors. And it is exactly the same with patterns.
In this article find out more about the three most popular clothing patterns and what choosing each of them means.
Less emotional – more traditional
There are less emotional patterns. They can be called masculine, and traditionally they fit into a very formal business dress code. For example, there will be fine non-contrasting pinstripes dotted with the tip of a needle or “chalk stripes” drawn with a crayon.
One of the most popular clothing patterns is plaid. The traditional plaid pattern, which is used for sewing costumes and suits – “glen plaid” or the Prince of Wales plaid and goosefoot pattern – is structured, logical and determined. It helps keep distance and discipline.
These less emotional, restrained patterns can be chosen not only to comply with the corporate requirements of the workplace. They can also be chosen unconsciously – to help yourself gather and control yourself emotionally. Patterns with a strong masculine energy empower and discipline the wearer, and it’s not esoteric at all.
More emotional patterns – more feminine
Masculine, mathematical and graphic patterns are on the other side of “feminine”. And the absolute saturation of emotions is achieved in floral and animal prints.
Huge pulsating flowers in a dress, or a carpet of daisies rolled out on a skirt. But maybe a very dangerous leopard on your tight pants? In a business environment these are absolutely unacceptable patterns that are banished from the business world precisely because of their excessive emotionality.
They can be chosen – often, never or sometimes – to achieve specific goals. Not only romantic and male-oriented, by the way. But above all – to help ourselves. When we’re looking for serenity, maybe a dress with a sakura pattern print is just what we need. This way you can get closer to the “zen” of Eastern philosophy and slow down.
Or the “toule de jouy” bag in the popular pattern of the 18th century, which has become iconic for Dior and this year has been copied mass market all the way to H&M. Fashion can truly be a great self-help tool in moments when the ground is disappearing under your feet.
Let your heart choose the pattern
At the end of the day, let your heart choose the patterns you like best. Only you know deep in your soul what you need right now – emotions or mind. After making an intuitive choice, the other side – the technical side – comes on board.
For example, large, spaced pattern elements direct the eye from one object to another, making you linger on each and thus visually increase the part of the body that is covered. For shapely body contours, patterns with a “flatness effect” are usually not recommended.
Remembering the principle of proportionality, it would be good to match the lines and scales of the pattern with the dimensions of your body. The pattern in the portrait area – on a blouse or cardigan – should preferably match the face dominant line types and sizes.
These are not set-in-stone rules that the fashion police will punish you for breaking. They are friendly suggestions that are worth observing, especially in areas that you want to visually correct. When in doubt, medium-sized non-contrasting flowers or “polka dot” are relatively safe patterns that suit practically everyone.
For more tips check out our articles Where to buy leopard socks and Home design that will never go out of style.
