Does Wearing Prints Have You Stuck? Here Are Some Style Tips On When & How Match Your Outfits

How often do you wear prints? Or do you avoid them not knowing how to incorporate into your wardrobe or style them?

Do you own printed pieces but struggle to wear them or restyle them with other items in your closet?

Prints help to complete a wardrobe. Without prints, you’re missing out on having that complete wardrobe!

Prints can be intimidating when you do not approach them in a strategic way.

Lets first change your outlook on prints:

Are prints over the top?
Prints are only seen as over the top when you have not styled your look in a way where it creates balance, your print does not completely overwhelm your look and overshadow the other items you are wearing.  If you’re piling statement items on top of one another, you are bound to have pieces clash and create a look that is completely loud and over the top.  You can style a print to make a statement, yet still be wearable.  You can style a print in an understated way, yet still be noticeable.

When you of think of prints, do not automatically assume – bright and bold colors. You have options: darker shades, pastels, neutral prints, prints do not equate to bright and bold, only.

You have full control on how your outfit is portrayed.  You can style a bright and bold print in an understated way or create a statement surrounding the print – it is up to you.  Prints are seen as over the top when they are not styled in a way where they complement the other elements and items of your outfit, they’re too many clashing items, and/or your outfit lacks focus and balance.

Are prints appropriate for any occasion?
Prints can absolutely work for any occasion and be appropriate.  Again, this falls down to how you style your look, because the last thing you want to do is go into work decked out in all leopard (without any type of balance within your look), looking as if you’re suppose to be heading for a night on the town, instead of work.  How you accessorize your look also plays a role in this.  All of the different elements of your look should be working together to cater to your occasion, not against each other.

This leopard dress that you’re wearing into work, if accessorized with a statement necklace and color heels – that does not scream work appropriate.  This is a statement + statement + statement with a lack of balance, this outfit may work for a different occasion or event outside of work, but for work, it would not be appropriate.

Prints are not meant to provide limitations on when you can or where you can wear them.  Prints are appropriate for any occasion.  Your styling however is what helps to make that print occasion appropriate.

Do prints work for any age?
Yes! Prints can be just as polished as any other garment.  Remember how you style your look is the key.

If you show up to work in head-to-toe black and navy polka dots thinking that it was ok because they were darker colors, what do you think that says?  If you showed up in a polka dot black and navy patterned dress with a black blazer and black heels with minimal accessories, that sounds more appropriate and wearable.

You control the outcome of your outfit and age plays no role in that.  You can be stylish at any age.  It is your styling which helps you to set your look apart.  Style has no age.

How do you know which print works best for you?
There is not a print that favors someone more than another.  Fashion is all about experimenting, and that is the same for knowing which styles (or prints) work best for you.  If you have been dying to try out a floral printed top, why can’t you? Experiment with different prints, and you will get more of an idea of which prints you favor more.

Prints will work for anyone.

-Ashleigh