Does print mixing (or pattern mixing) seem intimidating to you? It doesn’t have to be. Today I’m sharing five simplified ways to be good at print mixing.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive commission for clicks and purchases made through them.

I have drooled over this amazing ruffled racer back tank in the dot print from the Gibson X Hi Sugarplum collection ever since it came out. Cassie is one of my favorite bloggers and I knew her collection would be awesome. When this tank went on sale (it’s still on sale), I promptly put it in my cart and had it on its way to me. I knew these dots would be perfect for print mixing with this floral pull on skirt. There is already a tiny dot pattern in the skirt that inspired me. What could be easier? I added in a third pattern with the gingham mules, but it’s okay, because it’s all in the same color family.



Dot tank-Nordstrom
Shoes- JCPenney
That brings me to the first rule of print mixing:
1. Stick with the same color family. Find a dominant color in your pieces and mix away. Blue stripes with blue florals, green gingham with green floral- you get the idea.
2. Mix large patterns with small patterns, especially if mixing the same pattern. If you want to wear dots on dots, then wear a piece with a small dot mixed with a piece with a large dot. Same rule applies to stripes. You can also see I’m wearing a smaller dot compared to the large flowers in my skirt. Polished Whimsy has a great example of small on large and she is truly the queen of pattern mixing.
3. Break up the print mixing with a solid color. I added a white denim jacket for the cold indoor AC when I wore this outfit. You could mix a print jacket with a print bottom and break it up with a solid top.

4. Treat some prints as neutrals- glen plaid and houndstooth can generally be treated as if they are neutrals and mixed with any print you like. I mixed stripes with glen plaid here. The plaid is so subtle it’s like wearing plain grey pants.
5. Know which patterns and prints mix well. Here are five that work well together.




Click here for another example of stripes and leopard.

There are lots of other combos that work well for print mixing, but these are some solid go to combinations. What are your favorite prints to mix?
Shop prints to mix:
Pin this post if you love it!

Linking up here:
* Mix It Mondays* Start the Week Stylish
Style Elixir * Trend Spin*Confident Twosday*
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish * On Trend Tuesday *
WIWW * Trendy Wednesday Jersey Girl, Texan Heart * I Feel Pretty
Style Me Wednesday Pumps and Pushup Oh Hey Girl * Style on the Daily
Your Whims Wednesday Fashion Frenzy
Thursday Fashion Files * Thursday Moda* A Labour of Fashion * ChicandStylish *
Trendy Thursday Link up on the Edge The Weekly Style Edit
Friday’s Fab Favorites* * Fashion Friday* Fabulous Friday*
Fashion Should be Fun * High Five for Friday
Weekend Wear * Sharing a Journey
Five on Friday Friday Favorites* Saturday Share Pieced Pastimes