Mix and matching is not an easy art to master, colour blocking can look more like a eye popping colour clashing, layering and experimenting with texture can make you look frumpy and when playing with prints pay attention not to look like a clown. Looking through the Dolce&Gabbana archives we have compiled a form of master class on how to successfully mix and match so that you can look less like Krusty the Clown and more like a fashion goddess.

Colour: For a successful mix of colours, always start from the bottom. Make sure you combine colours from opposite sides of the chromatic scale for a successful effect. Finally make sure you choose hues that complement your skin tone, cold or fluo colours for olive skins and strong pastels for the rosier ladies.

Print: Experimenting with print mix and matching is a tricky subject. Many words have been spent debating whether it can ever be a successful endeavour, but Dolce&Gabbana are the definitive proof that it can look beautiful. For a successful all over pattern chose to either combine prints (flowers with flowers, lace with lace) or primary colours. Once you’ve got that down then the textile world is your oyster.

Leopard: For Dolce&Gabbana, leopard print is more like a colour than actually a print. A true bastion of the brand’s heritage, animalier can be mixed with contrasting colours or with any print you may desire.

Texture: With a rich heritage linked to lace, it is unsurprising that Dolce&Gabbana are masters in layering and mixing texture and fabrics. Lace, crochet, chiffon, stretch satin and leather have all been used aplenty in the label’s 25 year history, and often somewhat unconventionally. In order to understand and therefore reproduce the Dolce&Gabbana way to subvert texture and successfully match different fabrics you must remember this one word: silhouette. As long as the silhouette remains simple, even better if skin-tight, any combination that takes your fancy will work.

Mix and Match has been an element of many Dolce&Gabbana collections, with particular reference to: S/S97, S/S 00, S/S 04, S/S10, and also the current F/W 11.

Dolce&Gabbana have imparted their knowledge and let you into their secrets for successful mix and matching. Now you should feel ready to face any colour, texture or print dilemma.

Written by: Valentina Zannoni

Styled by: Yuri Ahn