Bold Patterns

Bold patterns can be intimidating, so much so that most of us avoid them when it comes to wardrobe. But in truth they are stealthy styling tools that can strategically highlight or hide body parts like a magic trick. Learning how to leverage their superpower is worth the investment, and it starts with understanding colors, scale and contrast to wear patterns with more confidence:

1. Accentuate
   Bold patterns can call attention to body parts you want to highlight, so consider a wide leopard belt to cinch the waist, bold geometric tights to flaunt your legs or a vibrant floral scarf at the neck to draw attention up and toward the face. Be sure hues support your seasonal color palette so you wear the pattern, and not the other way around.

2. Balance
   For anyone needing to balance their body shape, patterns are great for adding visual weight. If you have broad shoulders, shop bold-patterned A-line skirts or wide leg trousers to balance your bottom half to top. Or, if the widest part of your body is below the waist, try patterned blouses or blazers with strong shoulders to balance top to bottom. Pair patterns with neutrals to keep them grounded and avoid overwhelm.

3. Camouflage
   If you’re heavy through the midriff, patterns can be your best friend. Opt for subtle motifs with verticality that skim the body without clinging, then watch how the pattern adds visual interest to distract away from the midsection while the gentle draping softens the head-to-toe silhouette. Magic!

4. Center of Attention
   Patterns are the ultimate power player for attention-seekers, helping to make you stand out in a crowd. Amp up the drama with high-contrast color pairings and large-scaled motifs, but not so bold you’re upstaged. For maximum impact go all-in with a head-to-toe pattern column that’s guaranteed to get you noticed.

5. Style Statement
   Keep your wardrobe fresh by adding a splash of pattern each season. Consider vintage Pucci to amp up personal style, an avant-garde geometric for a dramatic look or sexy exotics — leopard, python, zebra — to make a bold statement. Remember a little pattern goes a long way, so start small with accessories — ballet flats, clutch purse, neck scarf, gloves, belt — before making more serious wardrobe investments in bold patterns.

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