This edition of the “How to Wear” series is all about mixing and not matching! I love mixing prints, but I know some people are a little freaked out by how to do print mixing without clashing. True, not ALL prints are going to look good together, but here are a few ways you can try print-mixing without looking like an old blind lady. Click on the pictures to go to the original post and see more details.
1. Start small with a printed scarf and a nautical striped tee.
Both of these prints are simple – only 2 colors – and one is neutral, so there’s not much danger of clashing.
2. Get a neutral print bag and pair it with anything (except an identical print).
With a bag, it’s like the extra print is detachable, so you can always set it down if you want your clothes to stand alone. (But please do not leave your bag unattended in an airport.)
3. Mix 2 different versions of the same print.
Here I layered two different polka dot prints. Playful and cute!
4. Let one pre-mixed piece do the work for you.
If you can find a piece – like this skirt from Anthropologie – that already has different prints in it, you can rock the print-mixing trend without even trying!
5. Pick 2 prints in the same color scheme for a unified look.
Since the stripes and the floral print here are both navy and white, it almost looks like they could be part of the same dress.
6. Mix your top and your shoes with a solid in between.
Here’s another [probably nearly] foolproof way to mix it up. Put some distance between your prints if you’re not sure whether they look good together.
As a final tip, just use your best judgment. The simpler the patterns, the easier it is to get away with mixing them. Here are some other prints that could look cool together:
- Polka dots and floral
- Chevron and leopard
- Gingham and polka dots
- Paisley and stripes
- Leopard and ikat
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Very good advice. I loooooooove the striped tee and scarf!
Great job on mixing prints in a lot of different ways! Yesterday I did the stripes on top with leopard print shoes myself (and a random stranger told me how much they loved my outfit). Today I am thinking about either a scarf accent or maybe the two types of polka dots! So many options!
Thanks! Glad you like! Go forth and print mix, my friend.
I love the pattern mixing! This is my one big secret – I am not good at pattern and prints. :/
http://www.highheelstosneakers.com
Well you have to practice now…you have all the advice you need 🙂
You know how to combine: strength, style and classy.
Great tips, Sarah! I’m usually a very subtle print-mixer but I think I should start taking some bigger risks. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy to help!
“Please do not leave your bag unattended in the airport”
Love it. You’re hilarious 🙂
You have such an eye for balance in color! It’s so tricky to pair brights and prints together!
Thank you!
Stripes and floral? Genius! I might try this out. It’s a scary one but i’ll surely try it out
I absolutely love the way you paired things! Especially the green pants 🙂
~Kristin
http://www.ChicAllWeek.wordpress.com
Thank you, and thanks for following! And what luck…I am wearing those green pants today so they’ll probably make another appearance on the blog tomorrow morning 🙂