3 Sources of Inspiration to Style Your Wardrobe Using Prints and Patterns

The question in the picture is what I would like to ask you. If you answered "no" to wearing a print with a solid background and "no" to mixing different prints together, what is stopping you? Is it that you think the colors are too bold? Do you think that prints and patterns are unflattering to you? Do you think multiple patterns together will look too busy? If these are some of your thoughts, they are all valid.

What if I told you about three easy and simple ways to style prints and patterns? Will that inspire you to try and incorporate these suggestions into your wardrobe? If three tips are too many for you to start with, what about choosing just one? Now, are you thinking maybe?
There are so many ways to mix prints and patterns and I have tried several suggested tips. I have to say, I was pleased with each example I tried. However, there are 3 tips about styling prints and patterns that are my go-to when I want to switch up my look and add a little boldness to my ensemble for that day.

First one: Styling a print using just an accessory. If wearing two or more prints seem overwhelming to you and a bit intimidating, add a scarf in a print, an earring with a pattern that has a least two colors, or my favorite, a handbag. Keep the outfit in a solid color and jazz up the outfit with a print or pattern in the handbag. Here, I chose two ensembles in neutral colors (both in solid colors) to bring attention to the black and white striped bucket style handbag with a bow. The handbag is making a bold statement, but it is not overshadowing the rest of the outfit. They are all in harmony together. The third outfit, I styled using another neutral color but in tonal colors of beige and an animal print clutch.
Soooo, if you are looking for a way to incorporate prints and patterns in your wardrobe without making a bold statement, adding an accessory with a print or pattern might be right for you!
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Second one: Styling a print using just an accessory. If mixing two different prints or patterns is out of your comfort zone, then start with a print or pattern in a top or bottom and keep the rest of the outfit solid. The pattern in this A-line tweed skirt is multicolored and I love the silhouette of the skirt. This skirt alone makes a statement, so I just added a solid color sweater as an accent to the printed skirt.

Another way to incorporate a single print or pattern into your wardrobe is by styling an animal print. Adding animal prints can be a way to start incorporating a print or pattern into your style. I paired a jaguar print sweater dress with black leggings. You can also add a print or pattern in a coat. The snakeskin coat is a print that can stand alone, another pattern does not need to be added. It makes a bold statement by itself. Kept the bottom neutral so it would not clash with the coat. One single print represented in all three ensembles, not two print or pattern mixed. This isn't so daunting to try, right?

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Third one: Balancing prints. Looking at the size of the prints for this particular styling is important. Pair small prints with large prints Make the larger print the dominate feature in the outfit. For this outfit, I combined two prints, stripes and polka dots. The polka dot is the more dominate print but the subtle small stripes in the coat complement the polka dot and they both balance each other.

I know I said 3 sources of inspiration for styling prints and patterns, but I have one more. It is kind of like a bonus. This outfit is a two for one in styling prints. In addition to balancing prints, another suggestion for styling prints and patterns is to mix prints and patterns in the same tonal range. Although, this look is styled with polka dots and stripes; the colors in the outfit are brown. Different color browns but all in the same color family.

After reading this article, I hope you are inspired to try mixing prints and patterns into your wardrobe. If you are thinking of styling prints and patterns but don't want to dive right in; just start by dipping your toe into this style fashion with the suggestions, I mentioned. I believe you will love it!