Style Guide: 'The Print Issue'
Mixing prints, textures, and layers has been a favorite pastime of mine for the last couple years. Especially during fall, I love the richness of color and the different looks you can create with layers and layers of beautiful fabrics, textures, prints and colors. Since I live in Arizona (which remains hot until end of October…) I can’t play with my closet in the ways I enjoy, I’ve had to adapt and live vicariously through Pinterest and cold weathered instagrammers.
Below I have some examples I’ve thrown together from my own closet of print mixing for fall that works with warmer weather, but could be used for (lucky) colder weather climates. Enjoy, and happy mixing!
shoes @adidas, dress @zara (sold out)/alternative, blazer @mango, & bag @nordstrom
Outfit 1:
A graphic t-shirt is a great way to subtly print mix without feeling overwhelmed. You can play with small or large prints, and I always try to choose a print that picks up hues in the graphic image on whatever my base is (that be a dress, shirt, sweater etc.) I kept this look sporty with a pair of sneakers and then added another element of texture with a faux snake skin bag. This is another way to add texture to a look without looking like your clothes vomited on you, the bag is a solid color but has dimension with the material.
Outfit 2:
This second outfit is another subtle way to print mix by using one item a bold accessory. The dress itself has different elements going on within the pattern, so the prints already play off each other intentionally. So for an added pop, I chose a faux snake print bag in a bright color to mix it up. This dress is fairly busy so I played it simple and casual with white keds, but this could easily be dressed up with black patent boots or simple heels. One thing to keep in mind when wearing a busy dress like this one, is with printed accessories or shoes, keep in mind the tones throughout the outfit. Since this dress is very rich and warm in color, the printed bag doesn’t appear displaced because it it is also a warm toned mustard yellow.
shoes @zara (sold out)/similar, playsuit @zara (sold out)/similar, shirt @nordstrom & bag @vintage/similar vibe
Outfit 3:
For all my Arizona and hot weather friends, here is the print mixing we can get away with until end of October. The playsuit is lightweight, and a linen ‘esque’ material, so it has a little bit of texture. The stripe is a simple print so I chose a bigger and busier one as a layer that doesn’t overpower the stripes, but compliments them. The bag is the simple addition that encompasses the tones of both the shirt and the playsuit, while the woven shoes add texture so the outfit doesn’t fall flat. It also overall completes the summer vibe I was going for. When mixing two prints, always think big and small, and then you can go more simple with your accessories and shoes.
Outfit 4:
This is a more tailored way to mix prints and textures, starting with a statement jacket. The jacket pictured is thrifted from Depop, and I love it because it is perfect on its own or when added to an already patterned ensemble. I chose a small print in the pants, a delicate pinstripe, to bounce off of the embroidered florals in the jacket. That way the jacket is still my statement piece, but they are all a happy family when worn together. The sweater gives it the coziness I wanted, to really hone in on that fall feeling when you’re layered without a heavy jacket or scarf. Lastly, the shoes were simple and structured to keep with the tailored look, and the sparkly socks were just for a dash of fun.
shoes @nordstrom, skirt @nordstrom (sold out)/ similar, top @adidas, hat @nordstrom (sold out)/ similar
Outfit 5:
This last outfit is three prints in one look, and it’s a mix of feminine and sporty (one of my favorite combinations). The skirt is one solid, bold color, but it has a subtle animal print that gives it a little umph when paired with a graphic tee. When mixing with this outfit, my concentration was using bold colors that play off of each other, like the emerald green and bright orange in the adidas logo. You can’t go wrong with referring to your art class color wheel of complimentary colors when putting an outfit together. The hat has both of these colors intertwined with its plaid pattern, and the grey base gives it a nice neutral so it’s not overwhelming. The shoes are neutral and tonal, so they aren’t a distraction when working with three prints. My grounding piece with this outfit was my use of color to create a balanced look.
