YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you like ugly patterns?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you like ugly patterns? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:14:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Jules on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343621 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:23:34 +0000 Jules 2343621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, I love those! I’ve had my eye in their current patterns but the one I truly love only seems to be available in the pants (others in the line have shirts…). This is one of my frustrations, if I’m paying top PJ dollar I want a full set! Janet on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343613 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:44:17 +0000 Janet 2343613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jules, your point about PJ/loungewear is very valid! I wear patterns in my PJs — snowflakes, sushi, dogs! — that I would not wear in daytime clothing. If you saw the PJ pants I’m wearing right now (pic below), it would be a big clue. I venture a guess someone would call these ugly, but I love them (from Anthro sale last winter). Dee on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343608 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:24:52 +0000 Dee 2343608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, my idea of ugly might be someone else's fab. Jules on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343606 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:21:52 +0000 Jules 2343606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I’m gonna venture that ‘cooling’ ‘comfort’ PJ pants are aimed pretty squarely at the 50+ crowd. And they appear to have tried to cover the bases (stripes! Dainty floral! Large scale floral! Snowflakes! Etc). And while on deep discount currently, they are mostly sold out. So they probably do appeal to their particular segment of the 50+ market. Who I’m betting just aren’t as fussy as most of us here. They’re looking for PJs, they see a colour or motif they generally like, done. I’ve had my eye out for natural fabric patterned PJ sets for literally years - I’m willing to pay quite a bit for the right set; have ordered and returned etc. Once you get really particular about it so many patterns aren’t quite right! Staysfit on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343605 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:01:18 +0000 Staysfit 2343605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Runcarla, I know the perfect person to suit both that pattern and jacket!   LOL!  It would fit her lifestyle and look amazing on her. So, to address Carol’s point, even though I do think some patterns and color combinations may be difficult for me or others, I can never say that they are ugly.  There is probably a person or people that the pattern suits.   <div>When I look at the Jockey patterns, I think I can see the young people I work with, who embrace color and pattern, wearing this.  It would not be my taste and it was probably not designed with my demographic as the target market.</div> Carol on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343582 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 03:35:31 +0000 Carol 2343582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ SarahD8--interesting, you are probably right about the dyes and strategic color palettes in higher end patterns. But I'm not sure about low-end always being tacky...think of Target and H and M, for instance. They are mass-produced factory stuff affordable to everyone...and they would never touch a pattern that was actually ugly. Their stuff is always smart.  I wonder if these Jockey PJs are like that because they're trying to appeal to the widest range of people....instead of trying for youthful.  SarahD8 on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343569 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:23:48 +0000 SarahD8 2343569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I looooove patterns that are *marketed* as ugly -- i.e., fair isle, often marketed as "ugly Christmas sweaters." (I guess that's a "Yes" vote for your question about whether ugly patterns are a trend right now.) But I do not find fair isles ugly! In fact I find them so beautiful that I recently went so far as to order a book on fair isle knitting (I do not knit! At all!!!) just so I can better understand the color theory behind it. In general I subscribe to the view of many upthread that ugly is in the eye of the beholder. I don't generally think of prints/patterns as "ugly," even if I don't fancy them for my style or they don't appeal to me. They're not ugly, they're just...not my thing. However. I am going to say something possibly unpopular here. The patterns at the link you posted don't strike me as ugly so much as...cheap. I know, I know, sorry! But hear me out! It's sort of the pattern version of the idea that dyes used in lower end clothing are not terribly high quality so colors often don't look that great compared to the dyes used in fancier brands. (which is why you hear the recommendation to buy black when you are going low-end.) So here what I'm guessing you have is color palettes that aren't put together with a ton of care and/or expertise, and then relatively cheap dyes that look a bit clashy or whatever in person. Like one person may not care for Marimekko and another person may not care for Liberty of London...but the design & material quality is clear even if something is not one's personal taste. I mean lord knows I am cheap, and I will absolutely buy and wear clothing from low-end brands -- sometimes they hit the mark, and sometimes they just...don't. Suz on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343555 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 21:42:34 +0000 Suz 2343555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm in the ugly's in the eye of the beholder camp. I wouldn't wear something that I consider ugly but I'm sure I wear things (and combinations) that others consider ugly. Or over the top. Or dull.  What I consider ugly is very personal and all about me. I might not consider it ugly on another human. A lot of frills, for example, look ugly on me. But I don't dislike frills on others or consider them ugly in principle.  Jules on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343542 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 18:54:15 +0000 Jules 2343542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoy a ‘crazy’ pattern in PJs, which I would define as something I wouldn’t wear outside the house, but I still have to like the pattern and colours. In fact I’m quite particular about my PJ patterns! And would agree it can be a challenge to find nice ones, subjectively speaking. I don’t like any of these ones either Cardiff girl on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343529 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 17:34:56 +0000 Cardiff girl 2343529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Depends what you call ugly really doesn’t it!We all have different tastes.l d go for a pattern that appeals to you. Irina on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343513 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:38:00 +0000 Irina 2343513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I love Marimekko prints. They are often so out there that some might find them ugly. Doesn’t bother me a bit.  rachylou on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343512 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:36:58 +0000 rachylou 2343512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol, I feel validated by OKCupid! Roberta on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343510 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:18:56 +0000 Roberta 2343510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an interesting question to contemplate over a late breakfast. I don't think I own anything that I think is ugly; that is, I've never looked at an item and thought, that's hideous, I want it! But I certainly have a few things that are loud or garish. And other people might look at these things and say, what was she thinking! My orange Docs come to mind. My ripped, baggy, Anthro cords aren't anyone's idea of pretty for sure! Grunge definitely wanted to look ugly. Miu Miu seeks it out, but then puts it on gorgeous models to sort of fool our eye. Jeremy Scott went in that direction, but his looks were so silly and fun that we liked them anyway. Janet on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343501 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:43:55 +0000 Janet 2343501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agreed with the others — one person’s “ugly” is another person’s interesting or even cute. Star (Lise) on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343499 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:40:55 +0000 Star (Lise) 2343499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugly patterns definitely are in the eye of the beholder.  My ugly and your ugly will be different.  Of the examples your posted, I like some and some look plain ugly (to me) :). Angie on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343493 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:21:14 +0000 Angie 2343493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugly lies in the eye of the beholder, so I'm with Carla :) I love patterns and colour combinations that others find ugly. I wear them with a happy heart!  Carol on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343489 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:10:06 +0000 Carol 2343489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sloper and Jaime--interesting article--I did not read it, but I saw the photos. That kind of highly intellectual "ugly" does appeal to me--I've always loved Prada.  Runcarla--I do like that jacket you showed. Looks like something you'd wear to Barcelona.  The colors, while garish, come and go--reminds me of the colors in a vintage Trivial Pursuit game. Rachylou--"a little ugly" is certainly a promising concept in fashion and art. Did you know, I read an article a long time ago on OKCupid when I was still single.  One of the most valuable things that site did was pore through their dating data for insights. They found that people who were classically beautiful were contacted much less than people who were basically good looking, but had something sticking out--large teeth, a lazy eye, etc.  Joy--I really like ditsy florals, but don't own any. I'm not sure I could pull them off--my curvy body looks better in sleek clothes. RobinF--I probably would buy something specifically if it was ugly, but I would also have to like it. I just bought a crop top golf shirt--it is very ugly. I like how it doesn't seem to belong anywhere. Liz--good designers and artists often do push us. I enjoy this in art, but sometimes have trouble in fashion with new ideas. I still can't quite get used to the wide legged cropped jeans of today.  Liz on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343481 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:46:17 +0000 Liz 2343481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Yes, what Sloper said. I think patterns for fabric are like any other type of design or art. A really good designer can do something that I might deem "ugly," and not want to wear, but it can still be an amazing pattern. And then there are the patterns that I think are very poorly designed, and it's hard for anyone to wear those well.</div> RobinF on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343480 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:44:20 +0000 RobinF 2343480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like what Rachy said! "beauty requires imperfection". I think that is so true and adds depth. However, I am not sure I specifically would buy something because I think it is ugly. Maybe in spite of being kind of ugly if there was something else I loved about it. :) Anonymous on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343472 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:14:01 +0000 Anonymous 2343472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To me ditsy florals are ugly.  I don't think I own any.   rachylou on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343396 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:04:11 +0000 rachylou 2343396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a difficult question! I feel a little ugly is actually necessary. I think I subscribe to the theory that beauty requires an imperfection - without it, you can only reach ‘merely pretty.’ The one I like least is the snowfall pattern. It reminds me of a holographic poster. But you could be super cute with a fitted tank top or crop top and those jammy pants. But I don’t know if that’s enough to convince me to buy them. That’s my issue with my theory. Carla on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343393 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:51:46 +0000 Carla 2343393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugly is in the eye of the beholder.  I’m a fan of unusual colour combinations - especially in traditional patterns like stripes and plaids. (See #1) I’m not sure if there are any truly ugly patterns - just odd colour combinations?  Although there are some strange/provocative things being shown on the runway these days…not ugly exactly, but not something I’d wear to to bridge! Jaime on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343392 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:43:24 +0000 Jaime 2343392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Sloper said!  Sloper on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343386 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 02:53:09 +0000 Sloper 2343386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To me - two kinds of “ugly.”   “Fashion Ugly” aka “Ugly Chic” most famously/notoriously introduced by Prada’s 1990’s clashing patterns and colors.  Here’s a link, I didn’t read the whole article: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/9740/when-mid-90s-prada-made-ugly-chic">https://www.anothermag.com/fas.....-ugly-chic</a> And the totally subjective ugly of “It doesn’t appeal to me” - which I admit the Jockey stuff looks like.  But in which case I don’t like to use the word “ugly” which is so loaded and often used unkindly.   So subjective!  One person’s “ugly” is another person’s cute, etc. Carol on "Do you like ugly patterns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-like-ugly-patterns#post-2343383 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 02:21:52 +0000 Carol 2343383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Do you like ugly patterns? And does anyone  else wonder if ugly patterns are a trend now?    I need some sleep pants, but I find most of these ugly: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jockey.com/catalog/product/jockey-womens-cooling-comfort-pant?isSale=True&color=4602">https://www.jockey.com/catalog.....color=4602</a> I used to adore ugly patterns, but find that I need something tasteful or thought-provoking these days. And then when it comes to shirts, pajama pants, etc. I also refuse to do novelty patterns: cats, bowling pins, etc.  I adore the classic patterns: the plaids, cow print, calico florals, etc. I can go for something original, but it has to be tasteful. Loud is okay, just not ugly.