How to choose pattern

Posted on by Toni Carver

Patterns can be really tricky to get right. Often, when I see clients they either love wearing patterns, or they stick to block colours instead.

When it comes to shopping patterns, it can be difficult to choose the one that’s going to suit you. Do you go heavily patterned? Stripes or floral? Bold and bright? Or more subtle and toned down?

Ultimately, there’s no law that exists which tells you that you must (or must not) wear something! But, if you are looking for a few pointers on how to choose the right pattern for you, read on for some tips.

Colour

First up is the colour as this is the most visual element. Broadly speaking, assess what the most dominant colour is that you see. If you already know what colours suit you (because you’ve had a colour analysis consultation), this should be easy as you can use your colour swatches. If you don’t know what colours suit you, check your reflection and see if the colour appears to be wearing you and making you look washed out, or if it’s brightening your features. (Here’s some tell-tale signs that the colour isn’t right for you here).

My advice to clients is to check the background colour or the main colour of the pattern that stands out the most. If this flatters your own colouring, then it’s good for you. If it doesn’t look quite right, consider whether it’s too warm or too cool for you, or too pale or too dark. Or, if it’s a bold colour, the strength could overwhelm you and you may need to opt for a softer rather than brighter shade of colour.

With a multicoloured print, it can feel trickier to get right. Again, go back to my broad rule above – what’s the most dominant colour and does this work for you? Life’s too short to ponder over the petal or leaf colour in a floral pattern being the wrong colour for you, especially if you can barely see it!

Shape

The shape of the pattern should flatter your body shape and line. Those with a curvy body will be better suited to curvy lines and patterns rather than straight lines like stripes. For those with more angles and straighter lines and shapes, stripes will flatter you much more than a floral print.

Patterns can be a clever trick to draw people’s attention either to your best bit, or away from an area you don’ want attention. By way of an example, if you’re a triangle (pear) or inverted triangle body shape, you can use pattern to give the appearance of more balance to your body shape.

Size

During my style and shape consultations, I talk to my clients about their scale. This isn’t to be confused with what dress size you are, because it’s your overall height and bone structure.

Petites will tend to suit a smaller size of print, because their scale (your height and bone structure), is smaller. Wearing a large scale pattern will simply overwhelm your delicate frame and features. Those with a large bone structure will find that a small or ditsy print will get lost on your frame.

Should you be neither small or large, go for an average size of print that’s neither too big or too dainty.

Personality

The type of print will tend to appeal to certain personality types. Take a look inside your own wardrobe and check out the array or patterns or block colours and the ratio. If you find you have a lot of patterns, but you don’t wear them, it may be that you’ve not quite nailed your style personality.

Your Style Personality is the real you, at your most comfortable. It will be the reason you naturally reach for a certain print, or not at all! Plus, why you feel like you struggle with certain designs. The more ‘romance’ you have in your style personality, the more you will reach for pretty, feminine and floral styles and designs. Someone who prefers to make an entrance, will prefer a bolder or abstract print which they can stand out in and be noticed!

What suits you?

These broad tips should give you a steer without going into the specifics of what actually suits you. So, when it comes to choosing clothes, understanding what actually suits you, flatters you and makes you look and feel good when you wear it. When your clothes flatter your colouring, your shape, and personality, they’ll be right for you!

Get in touch to book a colour analysis or a style and shape consultation. Alternatively, combine both sessions and receive a discount!

three Chings to consider with prints

Three things to consider when choosing prints and patterns

Posted on by Toni Carver

When I ask my clients what their dressing or styling challenges are, this one comes up often.

Wearing, choosing and styling prints and patterns can be a challenge for many. Like most things, it’s all about learning how to make it work for you.

There’s often a reason (or many) that you put something on and take it off again – something about it isn’t working and doesn’t suit you.

The trick is to be able to identify what those reasons are! When you do, you’ll be able to make the decision about either leaving it and not wear it, or know how to wear it so that it does then work for you and suit you.

Here’s three things to consider when choosing prints and patterns:

Colour

There’s a reason that colour analysis consultations are my most popular service!

Being able to identify that the shade of colour isn’t right is easier to do when you know what your best shades of colour are and how best to wear them.

When it comes to pattern and print, the main or dominant colour in the pattern is what to focus on. This will have the most effect as to whether it compliments you or not.

For example, in this first dress, the main colour is green and in the second dress, the bulk is purple. Both colour tones compliment me well and suit my features. They harmonise with my characteristics and don’t cast any shadows or overwhelm me.

If they were in a shade of colour which didn’t suit me, then they would cast shadows against my features, stand out and overwhelm me and make me look tired, older or unwell. (and nobody wants that right?)

green flowered dress  striped dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Style

The second aspect to consider is your individual style. Even if you can’t identify or articulate it, you’ve still got style! It has nothing to do with fashion. Or age, or size come to that.

If something feels too ‘fussy’, it flaps about, feels uncomfortable or doesn’t feel ‘you’ then it doesn’t sound like it’s suited to your personality type. However you try, it just won’t work (and that’s ok). Picking, prodding and pulling at things which aren’t working for you won’t make you feel good so consider what items you feel your most comfortable and happiest in.

Identifying your personality is the key to wearing pattern in my view. In the case of the flowered dress mentioned above – it was actually an unusual choice for me. I often find floral patterns are all a bit too much, fussy and ditsy for me. Due to the style of the pattern, the colours and the size of the print, this particular dress (from Rae at Next) has worked so much better for me and my style. In terms of pounds per wear, I’m less than £3 already!

Shape

Most people who come to see me have an idea of their basic body shape. What they struggle with is knowing how to dress their specific body.

Being able to identify specific cuts, designs, fabrics and styles which flatter your shape and proportions is the key to being able to dress with confidence. Knowing that what you’re choosing and wearing not only fits, but it flatters you.

It has nothing to do with size!

Your underlying shape and body lines will also determine whether a specific pattern or print will flatter you or draw attention to bits you’d rather people not focus on!

Consider the size of a pattern. Is it too big for you? Too small? Does it appear to ‘warp’ when you wear it, or does it look like it was made for you?

Conclusion

In my experience, these are the three things to consider when it comes to choosing and wearing patterns with success and confidence.

All these areas are discussed during a consultation so that you’ll learn and understand how to dress to suit you so you can look and feel good in what you wear.

You’ll find more information below:

Colour analysis

style & image consultation 

transformation package (colour, style and makeup lesson)

7-step online programme

Appointments are available virtually and in the studio in Wakefield.

BOOK NOW!

The three prints that don’t date

Posted on by Toni Carver

One of the many challenges with prints is choosing something which you like and likes you equally! It’s something I’m asked frequently.

There are lots of patterns and prints and it’s ok to say that you don’t like it, even if it is ‘fashionable’ or ‘on trend’. Don’t worry about it, choose what you’re comfortable with as when you do, you’re more likely to wear it.

Here, I’m going to name three prints that won’t date so that if you are going to venture into the world of prints and patterns, you can feel confident that what you invest in, can be worn time and time again. That’s £s per wear.


The stripe

Boden top

Image courtesy of Boden

The most popular I’d say of all patterns and something which many clients bring into the studio.

The Breton stripe, is possibly the most well known style and fave amongst many. Officially speaking, to be a true Breton, it should have 21 stripes, each representing a Napoleon victory because sailors were wearing stripes way back in 1858 (apparently the distinctive print made it easier to spot wayward sailors who had fallen over-board – who knew?)

The Breton style of top is featured frequently by Boden as featured in this image.

Stripes can be used as a method of balancing out your figure. Triangles (pear shapes) can use stripes across their top half in order to visibly balance out so their shoulders look more in line with their hips. Check this garment by Boden, can you see how the shoulder area appears wider and at the same time, lifts the eye away from the hips?

Vertical stripes are excellent for lengthening the torso, so if you’re after a few extra inches without the heels, try this instead.

Polka dots and spots

Oasis polka dot dress

Image courtesy of Oasis

Another pattern which always seems to be ‘on trend’.

Do remember that a polka dot style doesn’t always need to be black and white or navy and white! Aim to use colour where you can as seen in dress from Oasis.

If you have a larger frame, be sure to choose larger prints – so opt for a super-sized polka dot instead.

For the petites, tiny little spots will work well for you.

This pattern can be surprisingly easy to mix with other prints if you’re feeling a little daring. Go for a preppy look by adding stripes or try a floral print of similar scale and colour for an interesting combination.

 

 

Animal Print

My own animal print brogues originally bought from Clarks

Not only for Bet Lynch!

Animal print remains a popular trend, but does get reinvented each season to switch it up and feel more current.

If it’s a little bold or too out-there for you, try to keep the pattern to just one item. Opt for a pair of shoes, scarf, coat or a bag if a top or dress feels too much.

Check out my brogues here. Bought many years ago from Clarks but still worn today. They were my first sample of animal print!

Last year a range of coloured animal print patterns emerged making it more versatile (and less Bet Lynch). Warmer skin tones will suit the more traditional brown leopard print styles, but if you’re cooler with rosy skin tone, try other colours as there’s many more versions available. If you purchased anything last year when the trend really peaked, be sure to dig it out this season!
 

 

 

So there you have my top three patterns to invest in which will feel more timeless. Go and check your wardrobe and see if you have them!