Spring is here! Spring is here!

Okay, so at the moment you might not know it, what with a major snow storm beating the crap out of the East Coast (I mean, dear weather, are you fo’ real? This is one April Fools joke I am not laughing at). But by all other accounts (mainly clothing store window displays and themed Starbucks gift cards), Spring is in the hizzy.

So while you still may need to cover up on the outside (that puffy jacket was such a good purchase!), with April here you’ve got my permission to start rockin’ those spring trends underneath your winter facade.

And one spring trend I love? Mixing prints.

Sure, it sounds like a fashion disaster waiting to happen. Obvi you don’t want to end up looking more like your 4-year-old self who mixed your rainbow tie-dyed tee, polka dot leggings and neon striped scrunchie and thought you were the best thing to happen to fashion since MC Hammer’s pants. But mixing prints CAN work in a cool “I meant to do this and, dayum, I look hot” sort of way instead of a “I got dressed with a blindfold on in the kids’ section of Target.” Just ask Kelly Osbourne!

Then follow a few simple rules for foolproof print mixing:

This post is courtesy of our fashionable friends at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked them out yet?

A few weeks ago a CollegeFashion reader suggested that mixing prints would be a good Fashion Challenge topic. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive — while many celebrities can pull this look off, at first I wasn’t sure how it would translate in real life. After doing some research, however, I’ve found there are many ways to work mixed prints into your wardrobe and still look stylish.

Think you’re ready to pull off this tricky trend? Read on for some tips and sample outfits.

Tips and Tricks for Mixing Prints:

Stick with the same color family. Rachel Bilson (as pictured above) rocks this trend by sticking with black and white.
Many people consider leopard print to be neutral. Leopard print, a hot trend for fall, is an easy print to work with. In the picture above, Whitney Port pairs a black and white striped shirt with a leopard skirt.
Use patterned accessories. Try rocking a printed belt or scarf with a patterned top or dress.
Try a top or dress already made with mixed prints. When the look is built in, the prints will be designed to complement each other, so the hard work is done for you!
Stripes plus florals equals love. This tried and true combination is easy to work into an outfit – it’s the perfect combo to try if you’re unsure about this look.
Be confident! This trend isn’t for the timid. Wear your outfit with some attitude, and everyone will admire your fearless fashion sense.

Now that you know the rules, get some outfit inspiration from the experts at CollegeFashion. Click here to see how it’s done!

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: Read More »