opinion & features

The magical world of mixing & matching

It has been said that a leopard can’t shed his spots, that a peacock is nothing without his plume and in a season where the powers that be demand nothing short of a print and pattern parade who can blame them. The trickiest task in navigating this season’s cheekiest checker is establishing exactly how bold you want your finger-“print” of fashion to be.

Christopher Bailey at Burberry Prorsum showcased perfect options for integrating this sometimes challenging and illusive call out into the everyday wardrobe. Always the master of classic English style for the man of today, Bailey, like a sommelier of style, has created a spring menu of looks to satisfy every breed of homme. From the fashion virgin with an inclination to adopt the palindrome of patterns to the seasoned veteran ready for a look that's straight from the runway, our wine list of wardrobe wearables is spelled out here for you.

1. If you’re a first-timer to the magical world of mixing and matching but would really like an entry level look that captures the essence of this printemps cardinal rule, try a bold bottom with great bright solids to balance the eye and round out the vibrant patterned pant.

2. Flip this rule like the boys at D&G with a sensational summer sports coat in microprint, geo-shape or try a floral bouquet to make a splash this spring. Once again, make sure to use strong solids to dilute the attention-grabbing garb. Washed denim is a great way to throw a casual spin to a bratty print, aiding in your attempt to turn down the volume and execute this seemingly overpowering task of pattern pliability.

3. Fashion’s golden rule, the rule of three is never more remarkably on point than when wielding patterns. While piling on the plaids, stripes, spots and stars be sure you do so in increments of three to pull of the more tricky combinations. Three is the perfect number of prints that settle nicely with the onlooker’s eye. Be it a deja-view of triplet patterns like at Christopher Bailey or Louis Vuitton, a plethora of plaids at Etro or potpourri at Vivienne Westwood, three is fashion’s magic number and is the key to mastering the seemingly impossible runway looks you’re biting at the heel to try this season.

4. Head to toe is one way to know you've knocked spring’s splashiest trend out the park, and it’s fairly easy to do as well. Retailers such as Club Monaco have often served up bold print offerings in the form of a suit with matching bold top and bottom counterparts, best of all they, too, are generally accessible to the everyday man across Canada. Gorgeous at Gucci in a black and white checkered suit or art imitating life at Givenchy with a bird of paradise printed suit and ball cap it seems the best way to pull of this fourth suggestion in a full proof way is by way of a guy's godsend – the suit.

Spring is a time for life to return to the frigid prairies. Shouldn't it return to your wardrobe, too? It matters not if you’re a sartorial dandy or boy next door, wear your prints and patterns of the season with pride this year because lord knows it could be worse – camouflage could always come back.

– Jefre Nicholls is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.