If you have been to StyleCAMP you’ve heard all about my own personal pattern malfunction!  (more about that another day!)  Have you ever taken stock of what is in your closet to see what patters you have in there?  Pattern can have a wonderful way of adding new dimension and personality to your wardrobe.  It should always reflect your body’s scale and patterns.

Are you drawn to stripes or plaids or check and tweeds?  What about flowers or paisleys?  Maybe you like them all or maybe you are a bit confused.

Take a good look around your home.  Observe your artwork and table coverings.  Look at your pillows and chairs.  This will give you some indication of what you might like and what probably looks good on you.

Pattern is vital to a great working wardrobe but it shouldn’t take center stage.  When first building a working wardrobe always start with a solid foundation just as you do in your home.

Understand your physicality.  Take stock of the following:

• Bone structure (small, medium or large)
• Shape of your face (angled or round)
• Patterns on your skin (smooth or textured)

These nuances will help guide you to the best designs in fabrics for your body.  Repeating a pattern in design that you like in your body is a good thing.

If you have a very angular shaped face, you a probably drawn to geometric designs.  Similarly, if your face is round and soft patterns that don’t have such a definite shape will compliment your body better.

Follow us next as we discover part 2 of Dangers in Your Closet:  Fit Faux Pas.

Posted by Karen Hughes on January 26th, 2010 in Articles, Fashion Tips, Trends, Wardrobe, success