The power of prints

On a scale of tricky trends, we put mixing prints right up there with the double bag and socks with sandals. But here’s the good news — it’s no rocket science to master the art of mixing and matching. Once you learn a few simple tricks, you’ll be pairing patterns like an expert in no time. Mixed-prints looks translate into fabulous styles and outfits in any season for any occasion, especially office wear. How so, you might ask?

Nevertheless, mixing prints, as chaotic as it may seem, is one trend that actually comes with a tiny guide in order to nail this look to its very core.

n Mix and match prints according to colours and textures, not the prints themselves. It’s more about the overall image and strong visuals than getting it right, so forget about everything you knew in fashion and think about your outfit as a dazzling crazy puzzle that needs to be put together. A painting that makes no sense, if you will, but looks fabulous.

n Stripes are the easiest way to mix prints, as they’re the basic definition of a print, which makes them super versatile against any other. They look amazing mixed with florals, tropical, dots, different stripes, checks, graphic and animal prints.

n Florals are definitely the most common print but don’t do it like everyone else, paired with white pants or black top or denim. Instead, have fun with it. They look great mixed with other floral prints (remember same colours or same textures), tropicals (tricky, but doable if they’re in the same colour palette), stripes, graphic, black and white dots.

n Checks, though worn more in the cold season, have that classic vibe to them, which can easily turn into glam grunge. Paired with a different pattern, they look very eclectic. It can be different checks, stripes and dots.

Sometimes, you can do it with different textures. But mix on the same colour palette (different patterns of slightly same colours). If you’re wearing similar textures, you can do different colours and prints; those bold styles at Fashion Week for example (skirt in one print, blouse in another and jacket in a totally different one). And not to forget animal print.

Oh, the infamous animal print some love and some hate, is actually a pretty basic print that goes great with anything.

If you’re doing them, kudos to you, and don’t stop! If you’re hesitant, the only tip you have to remember is to have fun with them, and if the overall outfit looks great, wear it! It’s about making a very sophisticated, fun and bold fashion statement. And once you get the hang of it, you can forget all the above rules and do your own thing.