Everybody’s Wearing Clashing Prints
Step out of your comfort zone and play with print this season – it’s a sure-fire way to prove your sartorial prowess, says COLLEEN ROSS
Calling all maximalists: now is your time to shine. Clashing, riotous prints are in, delivering much-needed sartorial dopamine to our winter wardrobes. Although there are no rules when it comes to which prints you can wear together (flowers and stripes? Sure. Polka dots and animal print? Absolutely), there are a few things to consider. Remember, you want your combinations to look intentional, not like you got dressed in the dark. Think of it as organized chaos, if you will. First things first: the size of each print should be noticeably different, especially if you’re sticking to one color palette. Second, if your clothes all come in contrasting motifs, unify them with a solid accessory. And third, stick to more streamlined silhouettes so that the overall look doesn’t overwhelm your frame.
Minimalists, there’s no need to despair, because it is possible to embrace the trend in a way that still feels true to your style. Just look to model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for inspiration, who effortlessly paired the delicate florals of Khaite’s ‘Gloria’ dress with a zebra-print bag at the brand’s show in New York, proving that a hint of pattern here and there can be just as impactful as wearing prints from top to toe.
However, if you do want to go all in, why not elevate your office uniform? Simply choose more traditional patterns, such as checks and pinstripes, which show you mean business. Replicate The Attico co-founder Gilda Ambrosio’s impeccable fashion-week look with Matteau’s striped organic-cotton poplin shirt and Max Mara’s houndstooth blazer, paired with either a contrasting checked skirt or Khaite’s butter-yellow satin midi.
Statement floral prints are set to be huge for spring, so consider this the perfect opportunity to get ahead. Decorated with painterly wildflowers, McQueen’s tea dress looks beautiful worn alone but really comes alive when paired with Dolce&Gabbana’s rose-print pants. Pair them with heels for dinner, or dress them down for daytime with Toteme’s oversized waxed jacket from our NET SUSTAIN edit and Aeyde’s ‘Sofie’ ankle boots.
If the thought of mixing multiple colors on top of multiple prints puts you in a spin, then stick to one or two tonal shades instead. Suddenly, even your most out-there print pairings will make sense. Knitted from a burgundy wool and cashmere-blend, La Ligne’s ‘Marin’ sweater is patterned with red stripes that match the base color of Emilia Wickstead’s ‘Lorelei’ pencil skirt, all the while clashing with the scattered blue blooms. Wear them together with slingbacks and a clutch for lunch dates and networking events.
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown