There are very few things I enjoy more than finding something truly obnoxious at a thrift store. Neon tracksuit? Yes. Giant floral jacket? Obviously. Sequins at 10 a.m.? Why are we even asking? So Wear Something Gaudy Day feels less like a novelty holiday and more like a personal decorating philosophy. I'm going to share art that might not itself be tacky, but is definitely on the same wavelength as gaudy clothing.
Just a quick note on the word Gaudy; it's not to be confused with a very cool architect named Gaudi. Honestly google him, his work is very cool! But it could probably be confused the German word Gaudi, which basically means a fun party and is very on brand for our WallArtCo vibe: loud, fun, a little over the top and definitely not here to blend in.
The Neon Tracksuit
If your dream thrift-store find looks like it could glow in the dark, your walls shouldn’t suddenly get shy. Neon clothing is loud, cheerful, and impossible to ignore, so match it with bright art that brings the same energy. Think juicy colors, oversized shapes, and art that walks into the room before you do.
- Bright color abstract art with hot pink, orange, yellow, or electric blue
- Bold geometric art with oversized shapes
- Retro poster art with punchy color combos
- Colorful typography that isn’t interested in being subtle
The Leopard Print Everything
Leopard pants. Leopard jacket. Leopard bag. Matching? Who cares. Animal print works because it’s already a little wild, so the art equivalent should have just as much personality. This is the time for dramatic animal art, strange creatures, and anything that feels one step away from becoming a conversation starter.
- Oversized animal portraits
- Bright bird art prints
- Colorful jungle-inspired art
- Animal prints with unexpected backgrounds or colors
- Weird little creatures you’d absolutely stop and stare at in a thrift store
The Sequin Jacket
There’s no such thing as overdressed when sequins are involved. A sequin jacket doesn’t quietly enter a room, and your art doesn’t have to either. Look for pieces with lots of contrast, bold color, or a slightly glamorous feel that catches your eye the second you walk in.
- Black abstract art with sharp pops of color
- Bold graphic art with high contrast
- Sun and moon art with dramatic shapes
- Colorful modern abstract art
- Anything that feels a little disco without actually hanging a disco ball
The Giant Floral Blouse
You know the one. Huge flowers, strange colors, probably shoulder pads, and somehow it’s perfect. Loud florals are basically wearable maximalism, so they pair beautifully with flower wall art that takes up space and enjoys doing it.
- Oversized abstract floral art
- Vintage floral art with strong colors
- Botanical art prints with big leaves and flowers
- Bright flower wall art
- Floral prints that look like your grandma’s curtains got a very good makeover
The Wild Patterned Button-Up
Palm trees, flamingos, checkerboards, random fruit, maybe all four at once. A great patterned shirt makes absolutely no effort to make sense, and that’s part of the fun. Match it with art that mixes shapes, colors, patterns, and subjects without worrying too much about whether everything technically belongs together.
- Abstract geometric art
- Playful Bauhaus art
- Graffiti art with lots of movement
- Bold patterns and repeating shapes
- Bright art that uses colors you’d never normally put together
The More-Is-More Accessory Situation
Big earrings, chunky necklaces, giant sunglasses, a scarf, three rings, and maybe a hat that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. Accessories are where an outfit gets personal, and smaller art can do the same thing for a room. Not every piece needs to be the star. Sometimes you just need lots of little things that make you smile.
- Small colorful prints grouped together
- Mini gallery walls
- Funny word art
- Tiny animal or food prints
- Mixed retro, floral, and abstract pieces that somehow work because you say they do
Give Your Walls Permission to Be Tacky
Wear Something Gaudy Day might only happen once a year, but I see no reason your walls have to follow that schedule. Decorating should be fun, and sometimes the thing you love most is going to be loud, weird, colorful, or completely unnecessary. That’s usually a very good sign. For more wall art that refuses to blend into the background, check out our Bright Art collection. And if your walls are feeling a little too sensible lately, my friend, consider this your permission slip to make them way more fun.
