Print and proportion
A small repeat can look almost solid from across a room. A larger motif breaks up the outline of a sleeve or skirt. We look at both distances when putting an outfit together.
Start with a hemline
Take one dress from your wardrobe and try it with two different pairs of shoes. A flat shoe brings the eye down to the hem. An ankle strap adds a second horizontal line. The choice changes the proportions without changing the dress.