Today, I clash. With my pants patterned subtly plaid, shirt pressed with opposing stripes, suit jacket suitably unsuitably matched, I am a body carrying an array of textures in seemingly gross disharmony when described. But the actual phenomenon is not gross disharmony, but desirable disharmony that comes off as potentially over-the-top, but tasteful. This is how I might describe myself: at times crass, but never classless. Sometimes, it's okay to clash.
A lot of the time, the overarching question many have about style is, "Do these things go together?" And sometimes, the answer is easy. For instance, the time-old adage that the belt should match the shoes is useful. The TV show "30 Rock" recently used the concept of the "uncanny valley" to describe the creepy sensation created when something humanoid, like a robot, approaches human likeness, but does not quite get there. The brown belt, black shoe combination (or vice-versa) creates a similar, not quite there, discomforting feeling, to me, at least. But more often than not, the decision is much harder than it appears, because sometimes the clash is desirable. Once the bounds of what matches and what doesn't are broken, then each person can explore individual style more closely. A clash in the outfit creates some vibrancy to the outfit, and the intentional choice of clashing clothing can indicate an individual sense of style.
There are several ways to clash. I will provide two primary ways, and one smaller way. First, color, and then what doesn't work regarding it. This is the most apparent "matching" question. Does blue go with green? Does brown go with red? I don't really know?it's really case-by-case. It's not even as simple as to say black goes with everything because it doesn't; black and yellow are a sweet combination only if you like honey. Black on black, fortunately or unfortunately, summons up images of funerals (or maybe weddings). White doesn't go with everything?especially more white. The all-white suit has its place, sure, but it also, beyond evoking John Travolta or Tom Wolfe, conjures feelings that are alternatively messianic or cult-ish, and I can think of very few instances where either of those feelings is good.
The overall problem, in my mind, with many of the problematic color circumstances outlined above is this question: If the person chooses to wear this combination, what does it say about their personality? Funerals, bees, cults, John Travolta?all these things send negative messages about the personality of the person in question. The question, "Does that heinous shade of blue sky match that watermelon shade of green?" does not have such associations, or any associations beside the inference that the wearer likes bright colors. So as for potential color matches, as long as the clashes of colors do not have any specific implications, they should be explored.
Second, as exemplified in the first outfit example I gave, differing patterns may be explored in juxtaposition to each other. Stripes, polka dots, checkers, herringbone patterns?all of these things may be put together in an effort to create texture in an outfit. Texture itself is worth exploring, especially as the weather grows colder. Many different materials are used in the quest to keep the body warm. Woven wool used in sweaters differs from the denser wool used in jackets and overcoats. Cable knit and ribbed sweaters provide some variety in the upper body, while corduroy offers some texture for pants. Even within jeans, the different washes create different effects. A word of warning: Vertical/horizontal stripes and diagonal stripes probably won't work together as they would create an "uncanny valley" experience similar to the black/brown combination. A second word of warning: One should probably pick either color or pattern to clash, because the combination of both may prove altogether too overwhelming.
Finally, here's one last reason to clash. At Bowdoin, time is at an eternal premium. Worrying about what to wear causes anxiety in a schedule that already contains too much. Doing laundry is often two-plus hours of borrowed time, so making things happen without doing laundry is key. It would be fair to ask, "Who are you to say it's okay to mismatch?" It would be fairer of me to say, "Why not, especially if it's easier?" Try out a combination, even if it is born out of the dire necessity to do laundry, or a potential way to relieve wardrobe anxiety. It may work better than you'd think.