Help! All my clothes are patterned

[Tangyfan]

I like colours and patterns but this is becoming an issue when dressing as aside from jeans my trousers/leggings are also patterned. Sometimes they work but quite often I think I look like I got dressed drunk.

I bought some plain T shirts recently and the black ones look OK but the others in blue and sage green are a bit too plain and I think I look frumpy.

What is the answer???

Chunky necklace or scarf to jazz up the tshirts?

Rather than going for plain tshirts, maybe try plain trousers, including in nice colours? So that they can complement a patterned top if the colours work well, but are less plain. If you keep the patterns on the top and so closer to your face, you're likely to find it less frumpy and less of a change.

I don't have any totally plain t-shirts. I find them quite boring - I like there to be at least something extra to it.

Maybe the blue and sage green just aren’t your colours ? I’ve been veering towards plain colours for the past while as I had built up too much pattern in my wardrobe and felt the patterns were aging me. White, black, several shades of blue, deep pinks, purples, some greens are colours that seem to suit me and work. I use jewellery to add interest - a simple pendant and chain, more striking necklaces, ear-rings, etc.

Plain colours are just a different look to pattern though. You could call the plain colours boring or elegant. The patterns frumpy or interesting.

I used to have mostly plain clothes but ever since the arrival of my children I've had more and more patterns to disguise the sticky paw prints and spillages that are inevitable when kids are little. Gradually, gradually I am starting to go back to plain. Went away for the weekend and packed 1 black, 1 white, 1 grey dress + some jewellery & accessories. It made me so happy to have just calm neutrals. Think I'm going to have a big wardrobe purge v soon.

I should have said, interest can come from the shape, cut, etc of the piece of clothing too. A plain colour basic t-shirt is never going to look interesting, instead it’s more a simple, pared back and elegant look iykwim.

Sorry, I didn't really answer your question at all. I think if patterns make you happy then keep accessories plain-ish. Or just stick to one patterned item. So patterned jacket with plain trousers and plain t shirt, for example. Make one patterned item the "hero" of the outfit and use it to inspire the colours of the other items in the outfit.