A guide to Print Mixing

(updated content)

When it comes to fashion these days, there are no rules. We’ve seen it all: Plaids and polka-dots, florals with animal print, sequins and sneakers, geometric patterns and graphic prints with stripes.… and mixing prints is something you can't ignore these days.

Get crafty and let your imagination run wild. Mix and match all the season's fantastic print trends. Print mixing is one of the more difficult trends to pull off. But when done right, mixed prints can look wildly high-fashion.

TIPS AND TRICKS

It’s important to build your ensemble around one key print piece whether that be a loud floral skirt or animal print blazer, use this as your starting point. If you’re new to mixing, once you have picked your key print piece try adding a printed accessory instead of another piece of printed clothing. This will help you to ease into mixing.

Colours are important - During your first attempt at mixing patterns, try mixing a piece that has a lighter or neutral colour with one that is bolder or more eye-catching. Let the colour of one piece pop, while the other piece creates an aspect of “calm” instead of having 2 colours that are almost competing for attention.

Another good colour tip is to pair prints that are within the same colour group. The boldness of the prints will not seem as sharp if the other prints are closer to the same colour.

Dots and Stripes work well together, it may sound odd, but they create such a contrast to one other that it actually works when done the right way. This is usually a good way to start mixing prints before jumping into more complex prints such as tribal or animal prints.

Proportion, Proportion, Proportion - Knowing how to play with the size of the patterns is important. Certain sizes can create an illusion of something being smaller or larger than it actually is. For example, pairing thin stripes and thick stripes can create a balance, emphasise your waistline and distract the eye from certain areas.

Option To Separate - One easy way to wear prints and not feel as if the look is too overbearing, separate the prints with a solid item. For example, if you wear a printed top with a printed skirt, then wear a basic belt or cardigan. The separation of prints decreases the boldness of the mixed prints but you still get the same edgy effect.

Test out textures - Mix pieces together and figure out which combinations are pleasing to you and what you are comfortable in. At the end of the day, your comfort in the look is the most important.

Here are a few chic mixed print pieces that will ensure you are on trend this season.