Mixing prints goes back to psychedelic ’60s
Almost anything goes, but keep body type in mind
When it comes to prints, stripes and colours, fashion seems to run in alternating personality cycles of meek and bold, for a time favouring simple neutrals before the pendulum swings over to the wild side once again.
We saw it in the psychedelic ’60s and the boho ’70s, and again in the early 1990s when rules about what went with what were tossed out the window.
These days, all manner of patterns are in vogue, not just as accents but mixed and matched in a dizzying array of colours.
Polka dots with florals? Sure! Bright animal prints and stripes? Why not?
While almost anything goes for those with the confidence to carry it off, local stylist Lazina Mckenzie acknowledges most of us won’t want to take the trend to extremes, especially at work.
She finds her clients fall into two groups, the neophytes and the more experienced.
“For those who have no idea where to start, I tell them to think about what works for their frame,” she says.
If you’re petite, stick to simple, small, all-over prints rather than big, bold patterns that might overwhelm you. Bigger or taller women can get away with more.
The easiest way to wear a print is in a dress or a blouse, she says.
If the thought of wearing printed pants fills you with dread, try a printed belt or bold necklace first, Mckenzie adds.
Don’t worry that printed pants or horizontal stripes will make you look heavier. The trick is to find them in a more structured fabric, rather than a clingy jersey, which will be more flattering on our imperfect parts, she says.
Prints can also be a good way to draw attention away from problem areas like the chest or butt — just wear a bold print on top or in a scarf to draw the eye away from your bottom, or on the bottom to draw the eye away from your top.
Keep in mind that subtle prints are easy to match — a subtle snakeskin, polka-dot or stripe, for example. Try a snakeskin with floral or landscape patterns; mix a bold print with a soft polka-dot and some white.
“If you like being more subtle, do different tones in the same family, but add a pop of colour,” Mckenzie suggests.
Your workplace should also play a role in how adventurous you get with prints, she says. In creative fields and casual offices, mixing prints and colours should be fine.
In a corporate setting, confine your print to a blouse or scarf, she adds.
For those who love colour and pattern, Mckenzie says mix it up to your heart’s content.
“Try to get pieces that complement each other. They don’t have to match, but when it’s totally out here and here and here, it’s not cohesive.”
Still, there’s something to be said for going over the top, she adds.
“I really like the idea of taking it one step further,” Mckenzie says.
“I think it can be taken too far, but if you can pull it off, go for it.” More local fashion news on The New Black, at edmontonjournal.com/ blogs