Pattern Styling 101: How to Coordinate Your Bold Shirts with the Rest of Your Wardrobe
For many men, wearing bold, patterned shirts can feel like navigating uncharted territory. You've found a shirt with an amazing hot rod print or vintage-inspired pattern that perfectly expresses your personality, but now comes the million-dollar question: What do I wear with it?
At Eleven Oasis, we believe that expressing yourself through bold patterns shouldn't be complicated. In fact, with a few simple guidelines, you can confidently coordinate even the most vibrant shirts with the rest of your wardrobe. Let's break down the art of pattern mixing into easy-to-follow steps that will have you styling like a pro.
The Fundamentals of Pattern Mixing
The 60-30-10 Rule
The secret to balancing bold patterns starts with proportions. Follow the 60-30-10 rule:
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60% of your outfit should be a solid color or subtle pattern
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30% can be your statement piece (your bold patterned shirt)
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10% can be an accent piece or accessory
This ensures that your eye-catching shirt remains the star without overwhelming your entire look.
Color Coordination Is Key
When wearing a bold patterned shirt, anchor it with complementary colors from the same family:
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For hot rod or automotive prints: These often feature reds, blacks, and creams. Pair with dark wash jeans or black pants to ground the look.
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For Hawaiian or tropical prints: Pull out a secondary color from the pattern for your pants. If your shirt has touches of navy blue among the tropical elements, navy pants create a cohesive look.
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For animal prints: These often include earth tones. Khaki, olive, or brown pants provide a natural complement.
| Pro tip: Look for the smallest accent color in your patterned shirt and match your accessories to it for a subtle, put-together finish. |
Specific Combinations That Work
- Men's Color-block Striped Casual Breathable Short Sleeve Bowling Shirts
- Men's Solid Color Casual Long Pants
Bold Bowling Shirts
Our retro bowling shirts with their distinctive stripes and color blocking are statement pieces that deserve special attention. Here's how to style them:
Classic approach: Pair with solid-colored chinos or jeans in a neutral shade. The clean lines of the pants balance the structured pattern of the bowling shirt.
Advanced move: Layer under an unstructured blazer in a complementary solid color for an elevated casual look.
Hot Rod & Automotive Prints
Our vintage-inspired automotive shirts celebrate classic American culture with bold graphics and color schemes. Style them with:
Everyday wear: Dark wash jeans and canvas sneakers create a casual, confident look perfect for cookouts or casual gatherings.
Evening out: Black jeans and leather boots add an edge that complements the rebellious spirit of hot rod culture.
Animal & Novelty Prints
From flamingos to eagles, our animal print shirts make a statement about your playful side. Balance them with:
Weekend casual: Solid khaki or olive shorts provide the perfect backdrop for your expressive shirt.
Smart casual: Dark navy chinos and loafers elevate the look for dinner or social events.
Common Pattern Mixing Questions, Answered
"Can I wear patterns with patterns?"
Yes, with this rule: Vary the scale of the patterns. If your shirt has a large, bold pattern, your pants can have a subtle, small-scale pattern (like a fine pinstripe or micro-check).
Example: Our retro hot rod shirt paired with subtly textured gray pants creates visual interest without competing patterns.
"What about layering?"
The solution: When layering over a bold pattern, choose solid outer layers in colors found within your shirt's pattern.
Example: A Hawaiian shirt with touches of blue looks great under a solid navy cardigan or light jacket.
"How do I match accessories?"
The approach: Choose accessories that pick up secondary or accent colors from your shirt pattern.
Example: If your automotive print shirt has red details, a casual watch with a red accent or a belt with a subtle red thread ties the look together.
Confidence: The Ultimate Accessory
The most important element in wearing bold patterns successfully isn't actually about the clothing combinations—it's about confidence. When you wear a shirt that truly reflects your personality and interests, that authentic expression naturally boosts your confidence.
Our customers consistently tell us that their Eleven Oasis shirts don't just attract compliments—they spark conversations. That vintage car print isn't just a pattern; it's a conversation starter about your appreciation for classic automobiles. The bowling shirt isn't just stylish; it showcases your appreciation for retro Americana.
When you're comfortable in what you're wearing because it genuinely represents you, that confidence transforms your entire look.
Building a Wardrobe Around Your Bold Shirts
If you're new to pattern mixing, start by building a foundation of these versatile pieces that pair beautifully with bold patterns:
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Dark wash jeans - The ultimate versatile partner for any bold shirt
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Olive pants - Surprisingly versatile with most prints
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Black jeans - Ideal for vintage, automotive, or darker patterned shirts
These five bottom options will create dozens of combinations with your collection of patterned shirts.
Ready to Try Pattern Mixing?
Remember these three simple rules:
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Let your patterned shirt be the star
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Ground bold patterns with solid, complementary colors
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Wear what makes you feel confident and authentically you
At Eleven Oasis, we design shirts for men who aren't afraid to express their personality. Our patterns are meant to start conversations, spark joy, and help you stand out in a world of boring button-ups.
Browse our collections and find the perfect bold pattern to express your unique style. Then, use these tips to create combinations that showcase your personality and boost your confidence.
What's your favorite way to style a bold patterned shirt? Let us know in the comments below or tag us in your Eleven Oasis style photos on social media!
Looking for personalized styling advice? Our team is happy to help! Contact our customer service team with a photo of the items you're looking to pair, and we'll provide custom recommendations.