How to Confidently Mix Colours and Patterns Without the Overwhelm
Do you ever open your wardrobe, pull out a few pieces, and then put them straight back because you’re not sure how to put them together? You’re not alone. Many women I work with—even highly intelligent, accomplished women—tell me they struggle with mixing colours and patterns.
The good news: it’s not because you “lack style” or are missing some mysterious fashion gene. It’s because you’ve been working with too many unrelated colours and patterns that don’t naturally belong together. Once you understand the system, it becomes effortless.
Why Some Colours Just Don’t Work Together
One of the biggest reasons mixing feels hard is that not all colours share the same properties.
For example, if you try to pair a bright, warm “Zesty” shade with a cool, muted “Serene” one, it looks off (you can see this example in the video above). The undertones and intensity clash. Even the neutrals tied to each palette won’t sit well together, because they were never designed to harmonise as they don’t have the same colour properties of intensity and undertone.
Look at these two palettes Spicy and Elegant. Spicy has a warm undertone and Elegant a cool undertone. The colour within the palette work together but I wouldn’t want to wear the caramel neutrals of Spicy with the cool pinks in Elegant.
This is why having your personal palette is so valuable and a colour analysis such a great investment for your wardrobe. It’s not about limiting your options—it’s about giving you clarity. Your palette acts like a compass:
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Colours align with your neutrals. You don’t have to second-guess if that jacket goes with those trousers.
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Shopping gets easier. You know instantly if something belongs or not.
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Mixing becomes simple. Because everything in your palette naturally blends, you can build outfits without trial and error.
Think of it as creating harmony instead of forcing pieces to get along.
The Secret to Mixing Patterns
Susie’s other question was about patterns—a topic that can feel even trickier. Should stripes ever meet florals? Can you wear leopard with polka dots?
The answer is yes—if you follow a couple of guiding principles.
1. Start with Colour in Common
The easiest way to mix patterns is to make sure they share at least one colour. That’s why black and white prints pair so effortlessly: they already have the palette overlap built in.
2. Play with Scale and Density
If both patterns are small, dense, and busy, they compete for attention. Instead, try pairing a small-scale print with a larger one, or something ordered with something more scattered. This contrast creates balance and visual interest.
3. Match Your Personality
Not everyone feels at home mixing bold patterns—and that’s okay. If you love creativity, quirkiness, or edge, pattern play may light you up. If not, you can keep things simple by using one patterned piece and separating that from the next pattern with a solid from your palette.
Why Your Palette is the Key
Ultimately, whether you’re mixing colours or patterns, the real secret is harmony. If the undertone and intensity align with your palette, the pieces will sit beautifully together. If they don’t, you’ll always feel something is “off”—even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.
This is why I always recommend physical palette cards over digital ones. Holding the colours up against what you’re buying gives you certainty, and certainty is confidence.
Bringing It All Together
Here’s the takeaway: style doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you work within your palette, colours and patterns start to feel like trusted friends—they just get along.
And when your wardrobe works together with ease, you stop wasting energy on the daily “what goes with what?” question. Instead, you step out the door confident, comfortable, and visible again.
Get your personalised colour palette so that you can more easily mix colours in your wardrobe so you get more outfits from fewer garments and know that what you put together works.
