Creation story

When it comes to pattern and colour, some people have most definitely got the knack.

Others, meanwhile, manage to make even a relatively simple sprigged dress look like a pair of chintzy boudoir curtains (a knack in itself, for sure, but perhaps not one to be aspired to).

However, put all those fears of rampant print aside because, if you have ever fancied trying out fabulously artful and slightly chaotic pattern clashing and combining, this is the season to do it – it’s all there, out on the High Street, just waiting to be experimented with. The time has come to play.

First, pick your patterns. Now, there are so many that it is difficult to categorise them. but here goes.

There are geometric, structured prints, like squares and circles with interlocking and connecting borders, often with a retro appeal and often with a white or cream background, with rich navy blue and orange or green. These work well with each other (try a larger print on perhaps a jacket over a similar but smaller print on a blouse or a skirt and don’t worry too much about colour families). Try also with dense and busy small head floral prints, for a Sixties’ feel.

Talking of floral prints, there are, of course, oodles and oodles of them, and many have a lush, paradise feel that characterises so much of this season. These work well with white and also with punchy brights, so check this look out, especially if you have a special occasion coming up. Here it probably is a good idea to keep colour families together, as clashing doesn’t seem to work quite so well with exotic, larger blooms.

On now to digital prints, which have been hard to ignore and, certainly, celebrities have been leading the way in exploring their figure-flattering potential often as panels on body-conscious (really tight-fitting) dresses.

These work best by themselves, with a one-colour jacket over, possibly because the brain has enough to do in comprehending the pattern in the first place, and the introduction of another pattern might just tip the look over the edge. Still, experiment, as there are no strict rules about what goes with what, and digi-prints most definitely can work with other prints if kept, say, within the floral family. Also, teaming a digi print with a graphicised print, with logos, motifs, writing and numbers, also can work quite well.

Don’t be afraid to mix in glisten and shine with prints, especially highly textured pieces with dense and intricate beading, fringing and sequinning. The same goes for lace and embossed and jacquarded looks, which work well to bring texture and depth of tone to outfits. The 3D look with pattern is massive, so try to mix a bit in where you can, for example, with flower decorated bags, necklaces or bangles. Or all three – why not start a colour riot?

Twitter: @yorkshirefashQ