Mixing textures is a great way to create a strong look and showcase your individual sartorial style. However there are certain guidelines which should be followed when combining multiple textures. It isn’t just a case of chucking random items together and hoping for the best.
Layering up different textures needn’t be daunting. Once you have the basics covered you’ll be utilising your entire wardrobe to create new, fresh looks.
The easiest way to mix textures effectively is by sticking to one neutral tone. Keeping the colour palette neutral provides you with a strong basis which will allow you to experiment easily and safely with multiple textures. Shades of grey, blue and black are simple, chic and classic in appearance and, due to their muted tone, pull together different textures effortlessly.
The most fail safe place to begin is opting for blue as your base tone. Multiple tones of blue are safe, every guy looks good it in, and there are so many options and choice in this colour. If you are wanting something a little different then try grey on grey on grey. Black is arguably the best colour for mixing textures, you can easily pair a black pair of jeans with a black brushed cotton dress shirt and black silk knitted tie, to create a stylish look which makes each of the textures to stand out individually against each other. If black isn’t your thing then move onto monochrome. Grey, white, navy and black all look great together. Utilise these simple foundation colours to mix your different textures.
Another key technique is to break up the textures with solid items. For example, we all know that denim and tweed are a match made in heaven. The key to making this look really work is to add a minimalistic solid piece, such as a simple white V neck t-shirt or a plain white or blue oxford shirt, between the two textured items. By doing this, the focus isn’t entirely on the textures but the look as a whole, which is what you are always aiming for when mixing fabrics. It is an art which can be easily mastered.
It’s good to bear in mind that as well as considering the colour pallet, you must also bear in mind the layering rule of thick and thin fabrics. Especially if you are doing with the ‘same family’ or ‘monochromatic’ looks, make sure you vary the texture each time you add a piece. Unless they come as a whole, such as suit jacket and trousers, you never want to keep adding the same textured material to a look.
Our final tip is to try and pick pieces which won’t compete with each other. It is all too easy to get carried away and start combining everything in your wardrobe into one outfit. Chinos and denim were made for each other, they are both heavyweight durable fabrics, you don’t want to then go and add a further heavy weight piece such as a leather or tweed jacket, you’ll instantly ruin the look. The combination of heavy materials is just too much.
