Mixing prints. Even though some of my clients have run screaming from the closet after I’ve suggested an animal print belt with a striped top, it’s nothing to fear! It’s much less frightening when you know the formula for how to do it without looking like one of those abstract posters you stared at in the 90’s that turned into a lizard or something the longer you focused on it.

Here are a few ways to start:

1. Select a consistent base color. I chose blue as my main color, and doing this made it easy to pair the striped dress with the blue tights and the printed shoes because it’s still consistent color-wise.

2. Put some distance between your prints. Pairing the shoes with the dress puts some solid space between the two prints and makes for a more subtle mix. You could also pair a printed scarf with a printed belt, a textured pair of tights with a printed top and so forth.

3. Pair graphic with organic prints. If you’re not sure which prints go together despite their nice co-mingling of color, try to use prints that are opposites from one another. I love stripes with anything, and they look great with florals, polka dots, and organic abstract prints. Bolder, more graphic prints are easier to pair with busier, smaller-scale prints. Just try to keep one print simple if you have a paisley or small, multi-colored print. Try leopard with chevron, or polka dots with lace, but steer away from intricate paisley with multi-colored florals. If it feels too much for the eye to handle, it probably is.

Dress: Old Navy, Cardigan: Madewell, Tights: JCrew, Flats: Lanvin (Last Call), Scarf: By George, Earrings: Kendra Scott

November 30, 2011