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The Fashion Memo

How To Wear Prints If You’re Not A Prints Girl

From unfussy florals à la Alexa Chung (left) to laid-back checks and elegant stripes – there’s a print out there for every style

Spring/summer ’26 is a big season for prints, with brands presenting fresh new takes on checks, florals, stripes and polka dots so chic, even the print sceptics among us won’t be able to resist

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion

Pared-back florals

Ever since Meryl Streep uttered those four immortal words in The Devil Wears Prada 20 years ago, florals for spring have felt somewhat overlooked. Pretty, yes. But groundbreaking? Rarely. However, that all changed this season with brands including Emilia Wickstead, Maison Margiela and Chloé all offering a fresh perspective on fashion’s most ubiquitous print. The best way to incorporate florals into an outfit without them feeling too pretty is to go back to basics with the rest of your outfit. Try styling Dôen’s vintage-inspired ‘Elowette’ skirt with a simple top like Flore Flore’s ‘Anna’ tee from our NET SUSTAIN edit, adding a barn jacket and oversized shades to keep the look fresh and effortless.

City stripes

Riviera-style stripes were seen on the spring/summer ’26 runways at Jacquemus, Dries Van Noten and Loewe, all channeling the glamour and elegance of bygone summer escapes – picture the South of France in the 1950s and you’re on the right track. The good news is you don’t have to be heading to the coast to wear them; they’ll look right at home in the city, too. Nili Lotan’s knitted ‘Lanise’ T-shirt in soft fine-gauge cotton is ultra versatile and will work as well at the office with Calvin Klein Collection’s ‘Lunas’ skirt and Khaite’s thong sandals, as it will with white linen pants and flip flops on vacation.

Balanced checks

From plaid to windowpane, gingham to houndstooth, there’s no limit to how and where you can wear checks – their chameleonic quality has seen them slot into various subcultures over the years, becoming the go-to print for punks, ’90s grunge kids and aristocracy alike. In terms of styling, let your check of choice be the focal point of your outfit by teaming with classic separates and a more muted palette. Matteau’s checked shirt, for example, works perfectly tucked into The Row’s impeccably tailored wool pants. Alternatively, wear it open over a white tank and indigo jeans.

Low-key leopard print

Leopard print doesn’t have to be loud to make a statement and is often chicest when treated like every other staple in your closet (it can be considered a neutral, after all). It looks great with bright colors, especially red, and is easy to style with other patterns and textures, too. NET-A-PORTER buying manager Lydia Zacharis nailed the formula in Milan recently and it couldn’t be easier to replicate with Khaite’s ‘Loxley’ column skirt and Rùadh’s ‘Dea’ polo sweater from our exclusive edit.

Refined polka dots

If polka dots have always felt a little too retro for your taste, then you’re in luck, because they’ve had a thoroughly modern makeover this season. While the likes of Dries Van Noten and Khaite embraced bold, optical spots, others including Altuzarra and Tory Burch chose daintier, small-scale patterns that felt a little easier to incorporate into an everyday wardrobe. Take cues from the latter with Nili Lotan’s ‘Alla’ blouse. Dappled with micro dots across weightless silk-chiffon, it’s an effortless way to dress up Agolde’s classic black jeans for dinner in the city – just add Lié Studio’s ‘The Vera’ earrings and a red lip.

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