Rock The Look: Mixing Prints

The old rule of wearing only one print at a time is boring and, thankfully, no longer applies. Mixing different patterns has become an art in fashion and is taking over the runways. It can be tricky to pair pieces with different prints together without looking mismatched or crazy like that old lady in the grocery store, but the designers who put together the clothes above (left to right: Dolce & Gabbana, Pollini, Dries Van Noten, and Prada) got it right.

Here are some easy and fun ideas for translating this trend into something you can wear every day:

• Mix prints that are two different sizes. For example, pick a top with a large print and pair it with a smaller print piece on the bottom. This keeps you from looking way over-the-top and gives the eyes somewhere to “rest.”

• Subtly match colors. You don’t want to look like you tried to match the prints’ colors and failed. Instead, pick one color that will be represented in both pieces. For example, in the Pollini dress above both prints contain the color brown. However, the blue in the top section makes the outfit pop because it contrasts so much with the leopard, so it all goes without looking matchy-matchy.

• Use accessories to pull the look together. A crazy print looks more subdued underneath a blazer, making it easier to match with a print on your bottom half. Or you can wear one print piece and carry a different print bag, or throw on a contrasting (yet complementary) leopard spotted bangle. If you choose to go with one print on top and another on the bottom, you can pull the look together with a belt, which will separate the prints so they don’t look like they are running into each other and clashing.

Here’s an example of something that works:

The bag and dress are different enough that no one is going to think you tried to match them, but both have bits of yellow and pink in them, which tie it all together.

If you want to try to master this look, be sure to follow some of these fashion experts’ tips:

“This season will feature animal prints, plaid, tiny polka-dots, layers and ruffles combined in one outfit. It’s ok to mix these all together as long as all of your pieces have a complementary color scheme. So if you’re wearing a yellow polka-dot dress, your belt can be plaid with yellow, red and black stripes. Think 80’s chic!” – Lien Ta, fashion and celebrity editor for Hollywood.com.

“The trick to bringing this runway trend to your everyday style is keeping the patterns in the same or complementary color families and mixing subtle patterns with one bold pattern. If you have a large floral dress you can incorporate a smaller, more subtle floral pattern undershirt or cardigan. For a plaid skirt, try a similar colored plaid purse, but keep the shirt and shoes a simple black.” – Summer Bellessa, editor in chief of Eliza Magazine.