I love blending bold print and pattern, soft organic shapes, sharp architectural lines and playful sketch prints into my fabrics.
But I know from talking with my customers that it can be daunting to know how to layer print and pattern pieces onto your existing wardrobe. So here are my top 3 rules to ensure that your KS purchase is bringing all new bold confidence to you and your existing wardrobe.
1. Find a unifying colour
Patterns do not have to match in theme or scale at all if there is a unifying colour across them. This water blue tote works brilliantly with the cobalt blue seashell print. Go yellow for high contrast and even bigger pow or soften with paler baby hues.
Asco print tote bag, Peri seashell print, Sheila Fleet collab Sea & Surf scarf
2. Scale
These heart print pyjamas have been really popular, and they are a great example of how playing around with different scales of the same motif makes for a joyful combination.
Floral and stripe prints work brilliantly for this tip. Pair a dress that has a small, ditsy floral print with a jacket or bag that has a similar pattern, but larger flower motifs. The result will be fabulous!
With strips, mix up the thickness of the line between your different pieces. Again, a unifying colour palette can tie it all together with ease.
Top: La Redoute dress, Sophie Allport bag. Bottom: Topshop trousers, Tally Weijl top
3. How much is too much? Proportion.
It’s a fine line between chic pattern-dressing and losing yourself in it!
Level 1: Cautious toe dipper
Pair a smaller item like a bag or scarf with a neutral toned base outfit.
This Sheila Fleet Skyran collaboration scarf has hints of orange and burgundy, so it could be paired with an outfit of a similar shade like this Ichi Alpa jumper from the Hume Sweet Hume webshop.
Level 2. Let those patterns sing
50/50% block/pattern. Full length dress or jumpsuit in your chosen print, complimented with block colour, simple accent accessories.
Or, block colour garments and busy pops of pattern worn in the smaller accessories.
Large scale pattern is bolder and more visually vibrant. A smaller scale cluster of wee shapes can be busier yet look more casual. It depends on whether you want the outfit to be the first thing people notice or not!
Top: Kirsteen in her own brand China wrap dress. Bottom: H&M dress, Kirsteen Stewart glaze tote.
Level 3. I’m a mixing genius!
Here we have used colour, scale and proportion to bring together a mix of pattern and colour. Beige is the unifying colour across the Zara knit crop top and Hissy Fit midi skirt, and the flower motif is repeat across different scales.
Same tricks here. Monochrome swirls at different scales, contrast punch of colour in the shoes. These items work consistently with pretty much any colour block outfit. The kind of ease you need in everyday wear!
Find your favourite patterns and prints, what you’re most drawn to, then start mixing and playing around to see what you enjoy wearing the most. And most importantly, have fun trying!