Londonkiwi, I found myself with the same problem!
On my part, it wasn't so much that I would be Team Pattern necessarily, but it's rather a question of going down a labyrinth of purchase choices that are narrower and narrower given where I live, my size and my style. Eventually, the cutest option respecting my wallet and my priorities often comes down to a printed item. In the store, I always envision wearing it with a specific item, most of the time denim, but I fail to think of the third element in my outfit: scarves are frequently prints, toppers also tend to feature specific details that might fight the print.
Another issue I had not thought about before, but discovered once closet damage was done: my particular complexion/features don't do so well with something too busy near the face. One small print item is ok, but an explosion of psychadelic multicolored flowers is too much.
The solution for me: a few boring but true-and-tested classic basics in neutral solids, more specifically: a couple of good solid scarves in basic colors, black and navy cardis, leather anything (leather does well with prints somehow, maybe because of the juxtaposition of material and design), plain cream or offwhite thin long sleeve tops to which I pay specific attention to the length (too long and it won't work with printed bottoms as it will hide most of it etc.).
