From traditional plaids to more painterly prints, our options are limitless nowadays when it comes to our clothing’s patterns. If you love a print, but can’t quite get it to work for your body, it might be a matter of scale.
If you are above average in scale, a large repeating pattern balances with your body, whereas a small pattern would only emphasize your height. However, bold patterns with a high level of contrast (like the one shown above) have a visual weight that your frame can also handle. Because visual weight is the ability for the pattern to draw attention, you could pull off a smaller print if it had a graphic quality to it, especially if the other design features of the garment matched your scale.
A small print can create the illusion of height if you are a petite woman, because it takes more of the pattern to cover your body. A large print, on the other hand, would overpower your frame. If you wanted to go for a bigger print, you could pull one off more easily if it had a blended pattern (as shown above). Because it’s hard to differentiate where the print begins and ends, the print has less visual weight so it can work for you, particularly if the garment`s design is suited to your scale.
When trying a new print, ask yourself: Do I stand out more than this print? Or am I being swallowed up by it? By noticing how different prints affect your appearance, you’ll know more easily which ones flatter your body’s scale.
Find out more about the Rules of Scale and how to wardrobe at plum.ca.
