When it comes to prints it’s hard to know what to wear. Prints are often in and out of style and sometimes prints can make or break an outfit. A floral blouse can brighten up plain office wear, but a patterned trouser and shirt combo could clash. So, how do you decide which prints you should be wearing and which you should stay clear of? QUIZ, fashion retailers of patterned maxi dresses, reveal their top tips in this guide to prints:
The Do’s
When it comes to what you should do, it’s all about complementing colours, sizes and not going too over the top.
If you’re new to prints, you might want to ease them into your wardrobe by pairing them with solids. For something cool and stylish, match a pair of polka dot palazzo trousers with a plain white crew neck and barely-there sandals to channel summer vibes.
What about tucking a pastel ruffle shirt into a horizontal-striped A-line skirt for an on-trend look that’s suitable for work or play. Similarly, you can tone down a loud pattern by layering a monotone blazer or fitted jacket over the top. To add an edge of style and print to your wardrobe, consider patterned accessories such as bags, bandanas, and belts.
Stick with monochrome shades. A floral print that has elements of pink in the pattern is enhanced by a solid coloured jacket that is the same colour as the print. If you are a bit braver and want to wear 2 printed garments, keep your fabrics in the same colour family or pick two stylish prints that share a single colour. Your outfit will look more chic that freak.
Fancy wearing two different prints together in one outfit? You can do this without committing a major fashion faux pas. Try breaking mixed prints up with a neutral garment. Channel boho vibes with a paisley co-ord jacket and skirt and separate the patterns with a neutral cami top. Or separate polka dot pumps and a patterned jacket with plain trousers. Similarly, you can also split up clashing prints with a chunky belt and cross-body bag.
Wearing the same print on both the top and bottoms can be a brave move but you can pull it off. One good way to do this is to invert the colours if you’re using two of the same pattern. For example, a white cami with navy checks would pair well with a navy cami with white checks. You can also wear the same pattern together within a larger or smaller scale. Try pairing a high-waisted pair of slacks with a strappy top that’s a smaller version of the pattern. Consider your jewellery in the mix too — if you’re wearing a geometric printed top, opt for jewellery of the same pattern.
The Dont’s
When it comes to mixing and matching patterns there aren’t a lot of rules as it all depends on how confident you are contrasting styles and prints. There are a few things to keep in mind though.
Try to avoid jumping colour schemes — with clashing prints and colours, your outfit can look too mismatched. Stick to one colour scheme and use it throughout the full outfit — this helps your garments complement each other and prevents an outfit that looks like it’s been thrown together!
Although they can be worn in the right way, animal print can be quite loud and may not match together in the way that other patterns would. For this reason, pair animal print with solid coloured pieces. Try a leopard print cami dress with black t-shirt beneath and black heeled ankle boots. The top and boots will bring out the spots, whereas leopard print shoes would have been too much.
And there we have it your complete guide to prints! The main thing to remember is to wear what you feel confident in. After all, it’s all about feeling happy in your outfit and feeling happy in your skin!
