The Weekend Read✨The Joy of Pattern in Personal Style

Jenny Goldsmith | Read in about 7 minutes

Hello!

This weekend, we want to talk about pattern. Not in a 'this season you must wear' way (we’d never do that), but in a way you can make sense of the vast arrays of patterns out there and how you can incorporate them into your wardrobe and wear them.

Pattern has a reputation for being difficult to wear. Some can be too bold, some can be too busy and some too much. And yet when pattern works, it’s magical. It lifts an outfit, it gives personality and it makes you feel seen in a way block colour sometimes can’t.

So this weekend, let’s slow it right down and look at pattern properly; where it comes from, what it does, why some of us love it, some of us shy away from it and how to find the kind of pattern that feels like you.

A Brief History of Pattern in Fashion

Pattern long predates fashion as we understand it today. In ancient cultures, repeated motifs in cloth conveyed belonging, belief and hierarchy. Before there were widespread dyeing techniques, pattern itself was the visual interest, created through weaving, stitching and symbolic repetition.

In medieval and Renaissance Europe, pattern was a marker of privilege. Complex florals, damasks and brocades were labour-intensive and costly, instantly signalling status. Pattern here was not playful, it was authoritative. The meaning of pattern shifted with the Arts and Crafts movement, starting in the 1860s, led by figures such as William Morris. His nature-inspired repeats rejected industrial harshness in favour of an organic rhythm, a philosophy that still underpins what we instinctively describe as 'natural' pattern today.

By the twentieth century, pattern became expressive and joyful. Designers such as Emilio Pucci used abstract, swirling prints to celebrate colour and movement, while Missoni turned zigzag pattern into a signature identity. Pattern was no longer secondary, it was central to the world of fashion.

The Weekend Read✨The Joy of Pattern in Personal Style

What is a Pattern?

At its simplest, pattern is repeated shapes. These shapes have energy; some are soft and blurry and some are sharp and graphic. Some are neat and predictable whereas some are irregular and free. Our eyes respond to that energy whether we’re aware of it or not.

We even respond emotionally to pattern just as we do to colour. Florals can feel nurturing, expressive or romantic to some, but to others they can feel fussy. Stripes can convey authority and direction, but whilst one stripe feels chic, another feels severe. Geometric prints can feel dynamic, modern and structured but to some of us, one geometric feels playful yet another feels intimidating. Animal prints can embody instinct and confidence, abstract patterns lack definition and yet can feel artistic, expressive or unconventional.

Pattern creates movement across the body, so the trick is making sure that its movement matches your movement.

Pattern and Your Body

We often talk about body shape, but what matters more for pattern is body architecture. We need to understand whether your body lines are soft and rounded or straighter and sharper.

If you have a softer, rounded body with gentle curves, it needs to be flattered by patterns with similar qualities: flowing florals, painterly designs, irregular repeats and softened edges.

If you have straighter lines, angular shoulders and a more linear silhouette, your body is more structured. It will look best in patterns with definition like stripes, geometrics and graphic repeats.

When pattern mirrors your physical lines, the whole look feels harmonious. When it fights against them, something will look and feel off, even if you can’t quite explain why.

Pattern and Personality

This is the part where we see a client’s relationship with pattern change completely. Whether you’re Dramatic, Classic, Natural, Gamine, Ingenue or Romantic, it isn’t only about silhouette, it’s also about energy.

Dramatics don’t want their pattern to whisper, they want it to shout. Large-scale prints, bold abstracts and high contrast are patterns that take the lead and suit them beautifully.

Classics prefer restraint and order. Pattern must feel refined, balanced and purposeful, so small to medium-scale repeats, symmetrical designs and timeless motifs work best. They don’t want pattern to be the star of the show, rather seeing pattern as a quiet layer, not the headline.

Naturals look their most authentic when their patterns are organic, relaxed and a little imperfect. Florals, botanicals, softly ethnic and animal prints will look effortless rather than styled.

Gamines need energy and play. Small-scale, high-contrast patterns with repetition and quirkiness feel lively and expressive. Polka dots, geometrics and graphic repeats will feel animated and fun.

Ingenues are best served by delicacy. Very small-scale patterns, ditsy florals and tiny repeats enhance their softness and feel light and sweet rather than bold.

Romantics shine in lush, expressive prints. Large scale flowing florals, painterly abstracts and large-scale curves look and feel sensual rather than sharp or graphic.

This is why pattern can often feel wrong even when the colour is right. The energy of the print just doesn’t match yours.

Mixing Patterns

Pattern mixing may not be something you've ever considered, but it can be a fun and expressive way to change an outfit.

Dramatics can mix boldly: Large prints with small prints and abstracts with stripes, as long as the contrast is clear and intentional.

Classics may want to mix their patterns more quietly: Similar scale, similar colour and nothing competing too loudly.

Naturals love to mix organically: Florals with botanicals and textures with soft repeats, where everything feels layered rather than busy.

Gamines will mix playfully: Small geometrics with quirky motifs, united by colour.

Ingenues need to mix delicately: Very small patterns with low contrast so nothing looks too heavy.

Romantics mix best when one pattern leads and the other supports: Both soft, both curved and both expressive.

If in doubt, connect your patterns through colour. That alone will bring cohesion to your outfit.

Pattern Trends for 2026

As we head into 2026, we'll see a mix of old classics with modern twists. Look out for bold, dynamic stripes, reappearing polka dots and romantic florals and paisleys. We'll see playful print clashes, like polka dots with checks for a maximalist feel, and a textured, handwoven look for that slow-luxury feel, in natural palettes, moving away from sterile neutrals for more depth.

Final Thoughts: The Real Point of Pattern

Pattern isn’t about standing out, it’s about honouring your body shape and your personality. When your pattern matches your colouring, your body, and your personality, it doesn’t have to feel bold. It will feel natural, easy and most like yourself.

This is exactly what we want getting dressed to feel like. It's not a performance, so don't put pressure on yourself, just enjoy it. Next time you see a pattern you love, don’t ask yourself if you can wear it, ask instead if it's speaking your language. Because when it does, you’ll know, and everyone else will feel it too.

Next week in The Weekend Read we are talking about why the New Year doesn't mean a new you!

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi xx

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