How to mix prints beautifully
By Courtney Johnson
It’s super chic and screams confidence when a woman can pull together a look with two different prints rolled into one fantastic ensemble. But then again, all too often a look comes together that makes you cringe, avert your eyes and say to yourself, “What was I thinking?”
Mixing prints can be a tricky fashion feat, but it’s totally worth a try and helps add to the versatility of pieces in your closet. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your path to becoming a print-mixologist… without looking like you got dressed in the dark.
Mix two simple blocky prints
Pairing two structured prints is one of the easiest starting points for mixing prints. Try polka-dots and stripes. Not only are both super cute and flirty, but they are easy to find in a variety of hues and pieces, giving you more options to mix into the wardrobe you have already built… and chances are, you own at least one of them already! A dotted blouse and a striped cardigan go well with a basic pencil skirt for work or with a pair of denim for play. A dotted blouse worn with a striped skirt and a solid cardigan is another fun wear to work option.
Find a common color
Any time you are mixing prints, it is important to find a common color or color palette between the pieces. This will help the two (or more) pieces to flow together seamlessly. If you’re not feeling so adventurous as to do two colorful prints, try a neutral print-on-color print combination.
Break it up
As with any look, the accessories make it or break it. Print-on-print can look a little harsh without having anything to break it up. A complementary accessory will help with the flow of the look. Try adding a solid belt to break up a top/bottom combo. For a print-layered look on top, add a solid-colored or neutral scarf.
A simple print and a complex print
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and want to try an intricate print, pair it back to a basic. For example, a pretty floral really pops against a stripe. A large, bold geo print flows nicely against a softer, smaller geo print.
Size matters
Size is everything when mixing prints. Trying to marry two large-scale patterns will forge a battle between the two that neither will win. Instead, let your larger print shine by layering with a smaller-scale pattern, again finding some sort of common ground between the two.
Mixing prints is not as complicated as it may appear. It may take some trial-and-error and some getting used to, but if you want to add a little fun into your wardrobe, go for it!
As a review, here are three important points to consider when mixing your prints:
1. Find a common color theme.
2. Mix a larger print with a smaller print.
3. Break it up with a neutral accessory.
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of print pairing, get your mix on!
It’s super chic and screams confidence when a woman can pull together a look with two different prints rolled into one fantastic ensemble. But then again, all too often a look comes together that makes you cringe, avert your eyes and say to yourself, “What was I thinking?”
Mixing prints can be a tricky fashion feat, but it’s totally worth a try and helps add to the versatility of pieces in your closet. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your path to becoming a print-mixologist… without looking like you got dressed in the dark.
Mix two simple blocky prints
Pairing two structured prints is one of the easiest starting points for mixing prints. Try polka-dots and stripes. Not only are both super cute and flirty, but they are easy to find in a variety of hues and pieces, giving you more options to mix into the wardrobe you have already built… and chances are, you own at least one of them already! A dotted blouse and a striped cardigan go well with a basic pencil skirt for work or with a pair of denim for play. A dotted blouse worn with a striped skirt and a solid cardigan is another fun wear to work option.
Find a common color
Any time you are mixing prints, it is important to find a common color or color palette between the pieces. This will help the two (or more) pieces to flow together seamlessly. If you’re not feeling so adventurous as to do two colorful prints, try a neutral print-on-color print combination.
Break it up
As with any look, the accessories make it or break it. Print-on-print can look a little harsh without having anything to break it up. A complementary accessory will help with the flow of the look. Try adding a solid belt to break up a top/bottom combo. For a print-layered look on top, add a solid-colored or neutral scarf.
A simple print and a complex print
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and want to try an intricate print, pair it back to a basic. For example, a pretty floral really pops against a stripe. A large, bold geo print flows nicely against a softer, smaller geo print.
Size matters
Size is everything when mixing prints. Trying to marry two large-scale patterns will forge a battle between the two that neither will win. Instead, let your larger print shine by layering with a smaller-scale pattern, again finding some sort of common ground between the two.
Mixing prints is not as complicated as it may appear. It may take some trial-and-error and some getting used to, but if you want to add a little fun into your wardrobe, go for it!
As a review, here are three important points to consider when mixing your prints:
1. Find a common color theme.
2. Mix a larger print with a smaller print.
3. Break it up with a neutral accessory.
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of print pairing, get your mix on!