Your wardrobe could be bursting with an incredible variety of clothes, from the finest shirts to some beautiful skirts – but you might struggle to put together that one outfit where every single item matches, down to the material, color and style. In the case that you need to mix and match your fabrics, here are just a few top tips for mixing and matching fabrics to create the perfect ensemble.
Learn The Basics Of Color Theory
When it comes to putting fabrics together, you’re not just combining what your different items of clothing are made of. You’re putting together textures and properties, and importantly colors. Some materials will look stunning in particular colors, where others will look relatively drab and uninspired.
One way that you can make all of the colors in your ensemble pop is by learning color theory. By establishing exactly what colors complement each other and what colors shouldn’t be put together, you can minimize any harsh contrast.
Color theory can be incredibly useful when you put together any outfit, so if you’re seeking to put together a look that mixes and matches materials, color theory can be your best friend. Bear in mind, however, that even the same color can look different across different fabrics. Therefore, make sure you take into account the iridescence and luminosity of your fabric, as a garment in one shade might actually take on a different color when light is shone on it. (More on this below!)
You Are The Designer
It’s important to remember that when you’re putting together an outfit, or even a wardrobe, with the intention of mixing and matching fabrics, you are ultimately the designer. Whilst many might frown at the idea of completely building a look with several complex materials, you can take advantage of the variation in any way you like.
With mixed fabrics, you are entirely free to change your mind, and chop and change. Where some materials are designed to go together, certain other materials provide you with a new freedom when it comes to mixing and matching. You’re the one building the outfit, so it’s up to you to decide whether you’re into bold stripes that day, or perhaps that top would work better with those shorts? You can ask these questions, as the format of mixing and matching is far more free and creative than leaning into materials that match each and every time.
Test With Lighting
Different materials can react in extremely different ways to many different light sources. For example, lycra is much more reflective than wool, which absorbs light in a much different manner to nylon. These different variations exist between each and every material that clothes could possibly be made out of, so you need to adjust accordingly.
As long as you know the different lighting properties of different materials, you’ll be able to pick the right materials for the day you expect to have. Sunny weather has very different lighting to a meeting room, so adjusting your materials and outfits based on the lighting you expect can be a huge benefit to you.