Mixing prints and pattern – yay or nay
Well, it’s an old fashion rule to only wear one print or pattern in an outfit.
Just one print per outfit is so yesteryear. #fashiontrends Click To TweetToday, mixing prints and/or patterns are a modern way to look stylish. What is too much for one women, may be just right for another. When I wear a print or pattern I rarely wear just one. Somehow I do love to mix tem. Today I want to share what works and what doesn’t. In this post, I will share my 11 best tricks how to get mixing prints and/or pattern right.
How to mix patterns/prints
… without looking like you dressed in the dark due to an outage.
- Ground your prints/patterns with a solid color. If the print/pattern has black using black is foolproof.
- Mix prints/patterns that have several colors in common or are in the same color scheme, but have different shades.
- Make sure the prints have a different size.
- Polka dots of about the same size look great when the colors of the dots and background are inverted, or the dots have the same color, but the background has a different color. This polka dots on different color is a favorite next mix-and-match of fashion designers. The same applies for stripes. This type of mix is the easiest to start with.
- Only one animal print per outfit.
- To look ageless in animal print choose it in its natural or close to natural colors and treat the animal print as a neutral paired with large floral print with or without stripes that pick up colors of the print.
Mixed prints and patterns outfit ideas
Here are some examples for inspiration how to mix prints and/or patterns to look effortlessly stylish.
Example floral print with stripes: Jeanne Pierre sweater over floral print eShakti floral print dress worn as skirt with BCBG belt, GNW tights, Steve Madden fall sandals, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and striped shawl (all own)
Example of floral and plaid: Ann Taylor floral skirt with Burberry plaid blazer, Gucci printed silk scarf, L.K. Bennett pumps, and Longchamp satchel (all own)
Example stripes and polka dots: The Limited T-shirt, Lauren Ralph Lauren polka dot pleated skirt, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Ray Ban sunglasses, Hermes collier de chien bangle, scarf, plateau sandals, and Chanel bag (all own)
Example mixing polka dots, stripes and floral: Jones New York cardigan, Lauren Ralph Lauren skirt, Notations floral cardigan worn as top, Modalo Pippa bag, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Paloma Picasso sunglasses, and Christian Louboutain pumps (all own)
Example stripes, paisley and floral print: Karl Jäger floral print with stripes dress, GNW paisley print cardigan worn as top and Apostrophe Mary-Janes (all own)
Example polka dots with plaid: GNW cardigan with Burberry pink plaid skirt, L.K. Bennett patent leather wedges, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Bulova watch, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, and Ray Ban sunglasses (all own)
Insert flattering A-line top c/o Covered Perfectly, own GNW tight, Jimmy Choo tall boots, Oliveo straight skirt, floral print silk scarf, gemstone necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle and self-made silver bangle with quartz and gold accents
Pendleton skirt, L.K. Bennett suede tall boots, Kieselstein Cord belt, Kieselstein Cord three horses buckle (all own) and plaid shirt c/o Ethyl Clothing
Example plaid and stripes: Jones New York blouse, GNW striped cardigan, Burberry pink plaid skirt, L.K. Bennett wedge patent leather heels, Hermes collier de chien bangle, vintage watch, Moda International short sleeve sweater (all own), and necklace c/o Almo Jewellery
Example animal print and plaid: black layering top c/o Adea under own giraffe print sweater with plaid skirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Gucci belt grounded with GNW black tights
Example polka dots of similar size, but with different background color: Jones New York shirt, Lauren Ralph Lauren pleated skirt, Liz Claiborne open-toe pumps, Chanel belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Tissot watch and Jaeger tote (all own)
Example Ruby Belle plaid sheath dress, giraffe print sweater, Harley Davidson booties, grounded with black GNW tights, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle an Ray Ban sunglasses (all own)
Example leopard and floral print: Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, Notations cardigan worn as top and GNW snow leopard print cardigan, Modalo Pippa bag, Apostrope ankle strap pumps, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and Paloma Picasso sunglasses (all own)
Example GNW zebra cardigan with hounds tooth blazer, Oliveo full leather skirt, D&GM sunglasses, DIY necklace, Chanel belt (all own)
Calvin Klein scuba abstract floral print dress, GNW purple tights, Chanel thin belt, Vince Camuto boots, amethyst earrings (all own) and gingham shirt c/o Whistle River
Banana Republic skirt, Isaac Mizrahi cardigan, Hermes collier de chien bangle, GNW tights, Edelweiß silk neckerchief (all own) and zebra top c/o Covered Perfectly
What doesn’t work
- Animal prints in non-natural colors with solids and/or other prints, i.e. stay away from fantasy animal print
- Prints or pattern of same size
- Outfits that looks similar to a quilted bed throw
- Houndstooth with polka dots of same size (too busy)
If you liked these tips tweet to your friends
A must read. How to mix prints/patterns to look effortlessly stylish. #fashion Click To TweetHow do you mix and match your prints and patterns? Or do you wear just one print or pattern at a time? I’m just curious.
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Photos: G. Kramm
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