Ask a Savile Row tailor and they will tell you that patterned suits mean pinstripes, checks and maybe jacquard. Ask Gucci what it means, though, and you’ll get an entirely different answer.

Since Alessandro Michele took over as the Italian brand’s creative director suddenly in 2015, its reinterpretation of what a suit – and more specifically a patterned suit – can be has breathed new life into an old format.

But no one said it would be easy. Michele’s vision is bright, floral and realised in technicolour. Sound a bit tricky to wear? Just follow these eight steps to become a pro with pattern.

Step One: Know When And Where

Patterned suits are the opposite of their staid, pinstriped cousins, so let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way early.

They are not, on the whole, for the workplace or funerals. On these occasions, the way you dress should be a sign of respect, rather than a distraction. There are exceptions, of course, and maybe you will one day be invited to Lady Gaga’s wake, but in the meantime, save the pattern for informal weddings, parties and nights out that demand you make an effort.

In the same way patterned suits aren’t office-appropriate, they’re also probably a bit much for a Sunday at your local pub.

Step Two: Be Realistic

Listen up, because this is where your ornamental style statement lives or dies.

If the colour of your ensemble doesn’t suit you, the added detail will only make things worse. Or to put it another way, if a grey suit doesn’t usually look good on you, an all-over Jackson Pollock mural isn’t going to make any difference.

With that in mind, search for an example in a colour you like (and likes you) first, disregarding all patterns until you find the right shade. If you’re at a total loss, or just want to play it safe, monochrome suits look good on just about everyone, regardless of the motif they bear.