How to Mix and Match with Patterns
Tone on Tone
Mix several shades of the same color together to get a classic tone-on-tone look. Choose a pattern with colors in the same family and match them with a solid from that same family.
Complimentary Colors
Think back to grade school; remember the color wheel? Colors opposite each other on the color wheel are called complimentary colors. Complimentary colors, compliment each other and always go well together. Examples of complimentary colors are: red and green; blue and orange; purple and yellow.
For a fun look, take a top with a pattern, such as a white and orange stripe, and pair it with a solid bottom in a complimentary color, in this case, orange.
Warm Colors with Warms and Cool Colors with Cools
It's a no-brainer, but you can't go wrong if you match warm colors with other warm colors and cool colors with other cool colors. The same goes for pastels with pastels, brights with brights, and so on.
Mixing Colors and Neutrals All colors go with all neutrals, and that includes other neutrals. Neutrals are black, brown, tan, white, grey and denim. Some people believe that brown and black do not go together, but since they are neutrals, they do. Neutrals are the easiest colors to pair with patterns.
The Unexpected
Once upon a time, certain colors were practically forbidden to be seen on the same outfit together, red and pink for example. Now, almost anything goes, if you do it properly. Mix and match these "forbidden" colors together in solids brought together by a neutral. Carry the color scheme through with accessories like hair ribbons. Or, for an even easier approach, choose a pattern that combines these colors for you.
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