Trendsetting 101: Mixing Prints

Mixing prints is one of the most unique and novel ways to dress these days, but when you talk about combining and matching prints, patterns and colors, you can easily question yourself or get stuck on whether something works. Although the beauty behind the mixed print look is that there are no rules, one can quickly get carried away and get it wrong. That's why most of us (myself included!) are intimidated by the trend. If you are just breaking into the trend, here are several pointers to help you get the eye for mixing prints.

1. Choose from the same color family:

Wearing from the same color palette will show the other trendsetters that you know what you are doing. If you are picking out a dark blue printed maxi skirt, reach for a tank or top that carries the similar blue tones. This will tie your top and bottom together.

Our picks:
- TEXTILE Maxi Skirt, $165 + Kensie Spots Tank, $58
- Topshop Print Trousers, $76 + Paul & Joe Blouse, $95
- LOFT Floral Skirt, $79 + Theory Printed Top, $235

Shop all: Printed Pants | Printed Skirts | Printed Tops

2. Offset Bright Prints with Neutral Prints:

When mixing busy, bold-colored prints, you could easily cross the line of trend overkill. We suggest sticking to one bright-colored print and pairing it with a print in a neutral hue, so that the two prints are not competing. Here we match bold colors with black and white.

Our picks:
- Milly Printed Top, $255 + Arden B. Shorts, $25
- Trina Turk Top, $89 + Sanctuary Short, $99
- DVF Madeline Top, $265 + Torn Gray Mini Skirt, $89

Shop all: Bold Prints | Neutral Prints

3. Rock the same type of print or pattern:

A stripe with another stripe will work, as long as they differ in look. We suggest thin stripes with thick stripes or horizontal stripes with diagonal stripes. You could mix animal prints too! Select different color combinations or pair big spots with small spots.

Our picks:
- Topshop Blouse, $75 + Forever 21 Scarf, $9
- Caslon Knit Blazer, $58 + Tinley Striped Tank, $17
- Eight Sixty Dress, $28 + LOFT Cardigan, $60

Shop all: Animal Prints | Stripe Tanks | Stripe Cardigans

4. Throw on a Belt:

Feel confident with two contrasting prints by adding a solid colored belt to split up the two pieces. Make sure to tuck the top into your skirt or pant. Another great thing about a belt? It'll cinch you at the waist!

Our picks:
- BCBG Skirt, $125 + Torn Tank, $56 + Belt, $13
- Daniel Rainn Blouse, $35 + Alfani Skirt, $30 + Belt, $38
- Skirt, $138 + Stripe Navy Top, $66 + Belt, $29

Shop all: Printed Skirts | Printed Tops | Belts

5. Get the work done for you:

If you are too intimidated to mix and match patterns on your own, even with some of the guidelines we set forth, your best bets are dresses with dual prints. The designers have already put together the look. Now, when you choose your accessories, avoid another intricate pattern.

Our picks:
- Winter Kate Silk Maxi Dress, $156
- Lilly Pulitzer Kelsi Dress, $148
- Billabong Light Dress, $40

Shop all: Print Dresses



Trendsetting 101 is our new weekly series, centered on showing you how to wear the trends of the season. Come back next week for advice on another hot trend.

Is there a trend that you've spotted that you need styling advice for? Let me know what they are and I'll address them in future posts!


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