OLSadmin Sin #3: Mismatching Patterns (IV) | Men’s Clothing Style Guides
Somewhat more complicated than following a dress code, the art of choosing the right pattern for both your build and for different degrees of formality is another common area of failing for men.
Some men mismatch patterns to jarring effect, while others try to avoid the issue by wearing only solid colors, neither of which takes advantage of one of the defining features of clothing.
Ditch the shyness, learn the basics, and make pattern a functioning part of your wardrobe – not just something that happens to be there, but something that makes a statement about you.
Levels of Pattern Formality
First off, understand that different patterns are acceptable in different social situations.
Different cultures put slightly different emphasis on the importance of pattern – what might raise eyebrows at a charity dinner will likely go unnoticed at an art gallery opening – but overall, the more obvious a pattern is the less formal the garment is considered to be.
Solid colors are the most formal end of the scale, while overstated patterns like paisleys and polka-dots are so casual as to be almost entirely absent from menswear.
Remembering the basic break-down of dress codes from the last chapter, you can generally assume that only solid colors are appropriate for formal or semi-formal occasions, modest pinstriping becomes acceptable at the business level, and bolder patterns should only be worn in dress-casual or casual situations.
This applies to jackets, trousers, and shirts; ties should also be kept solid at the upper levels of formality, but have a somewhat wider array of options in the more casual strata.
Matching and Contrasting | Men’s Clothing Style Guides
The most basic rule of patterning is never to match the scale of the pattern from one piece of clothing to the next. That is to say, if you wear a suit with narrow pinstripes, neither your tie nor your shirt should feature the same.
A broad chalk-stripe on the shirt and solid tie or a solid shirt with a broadly-striped tie would be a better fit, and so on.
People with a shallow understanding of clothing may extend this rule and simply say that you shouldn’t wear differing patterns, but they are missing the point – a shirt covered in small, delicate cross-hatching is not inappropriate with a broadly striped suit, nor with a “figure” tie featuring a repeated crest or monogram.
TO BE CONTINUED… PART V
This is just the beginning of your style journey? Stay connected for the upcoming articles.
Please note that much of this publication is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence.
Although the author and publisher have made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this Guide, they assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Also, you should use this information as you see fit, and at your own risk.
Your particular situation may not be exactly suited to the examples illustrated here; in fact, it’s likely that they won’t be the same, and you should adjust your use of the information and recommendations accordingly.
Finally, use your head. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice, and is meant to inform and entertain the reader.
So have fun and learn to dress sharp!
