Here's a photo taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games last year. I'm on the left.


Just about everything I'm wearing has a pattern to it. Obviously the kilt (1), then the Argyle hose (2), the jacket and waistcoat (3), a tattersal shirt (4) (though the pattern doesn't really come across in the photo), and a heraldic themed neck tie (5).

One reason why this outfit "works" is that even though there are 5 different patterns, they all tone well together. None of them are "fighting" with each other. Now I'm not saying the outfit would not have looked just as nice with solid color hose, or with a solid tie, or a plain white shirt. But this does illustrate that you can wear multiple patterns together to a pleasing effect.

I find that a lot of people here in North America are taught "don't wear a pattern with a pattern" as a basic fashion rule. I think that rule is only appropriate as a guideline for those who truly have no eye for selecting patterns that work well together. If that describes you, then maybe not mixing patterns is a safe way to go. However, I think that most people have (or can develop) an eye for selecting patterns that work together.

Here's another example:

Here we have the tartan kilt (1), diced hose (2), windowpane pattern jacket & waistcoat (3), and tattersal shirt (4). (Once again, the pattern in the shirt doesn't really show in the photo).

The jacket & waistcoat have a very subtle pattern which in this case comes near to the same colors as in the tartan I'm wearing. Here's a better photo showing the pattern.


The different patterns in this outfit work great because they all draw from the same small color pallette. I have a lot of patterns, but just a few colors. That's one way to go. But (as you can see from my first outfit above), it's not strictly necessary.

I'll end with one final photo, showing what I would consider a more "country" look which combines a lot of patterns.

Here you have several patterns together: a tweed kilt (1), shepherd check hose (2), tattersal shirt (3), and even the spotting on the bobcat fur sporran (4).

I remember when I walked out of the bedroom wearing that outfit my wife commented, "Wow, you are wearing a lot of patterns together!" Really, I'm wearing 4 patterns, which is the same number as in the second outfit, and less than in the first outfit. I think the fact that I'm not wearing a tartan kilt actually highlights the multiple patterns; that and the shirt has a somewhat larger tattersal pattern. In this case again all the patterns have similar color tones and textures, which helps bring the whole thing together. And I think the solid color vest provides a nice accent.

Oh, and one thing that is definitive from the above photo -- chicks dig the patterns! :-)