COMBINING COLOURS AND PATTERNS

SAMMYDKR

I like to pick up colours and shades from different parts of the outfit in a subtle way. For example, in the image above the green of the shirt is picked up in the small pocket squares of the tie.

This is one reason why I find patterned ties and pocket squares, with multiple shades and nuances, to be easier to combine than solid ones.

In the picture I also matched the colour of the tie with the dark burgundy shoes. Since the two pieces are quite far apart, with different textures and material, it tends to feel like less obvious matching.

The rest of the outfit could be called the ‘menswear uniform’. A navy jacket with grey trousers (fresco for summer, flannel for winter) is probably the combination I wear most frequently.

Bespoke jacket: Sammydkr

Bespoke trousers: Sammydkr

Shirt: Zara

Tie: Bows-tie

pocket square: Sebastiancruz

Shoes: Zara

Combining textures

Sometimes, and especially in a more casual outfit, texture can be even more important than colour or pattern.

Wearing a turtle neck or polo shirt with tailoring, for example, limits the possibilities for pattern and therefore puts more emphasis on textures and tones.

In these more monochrome outfits I also think it’s important to get the right amount of contrast. In the outfit above I wear three or even four shades of green, but every garment has a different texture to help separate them.

To some it might be boring, but I call it consistent. I find it a great base out of which to elaborate with shirts, ties and shoes.