Whoaaaaa is this week long or short or what? I think the fact that we were still traveling on Monday and didn’t really start the work week until Tuesday totally threw us for a loop – and on top of that, J worked from home on Tuesday, so it REALLY felt like vacation since I had another human office mate. 😉 The week has felt long because of long travel time, getting in at 2 am from the airport, etc…but then short since it feels like I juuuuust started getting back in the swing o’ things. OY. I think a weekend will be juuuuuust the thing to get straightened out again – dontcha think? 😉
OK NOW. Print mixing. Let’s talk about. Do ya lovelovelove it or hate it?
I know folks on both sides, both I think most on the latter side are solely there because it feels weird and too “fashion-y” to attempt to pull off such a style trick. Really tho…it’s easier than an ice cream sandwich. The key is knowing the cardinal rule. Actually, the 5 cardinal rules. The 5 cardinal rules of print mixing. Just tell your friends this is straight outta Vogue’s print mixing pages and they’ll never again question your styling decisions. 😉 Let’s begin.
PRINT MIXING OUTFIT DETAILS:
(Only $15 – I wear this constantly because it matches so much, works SO well in print mixing, and is such a perfect material for transitioning seasons. It’s a lightweight chiffon – one of my favorite fabrics – so it’s flowy and DOES. NOT. WRINKLE. BLESS. I also wore it in Disney a ton because obvi. 😉 ) // (Only $23!!!! This skirt is SUCH a steal and comes back every season since it’s such a smash hit! I lovelovelove most that it can be worn now heading into spring/summer, but it also works in fall because of the color palette.) // Bag (This is a near-perfect-looking designer lookalike – I styled it here, too! It’s under $85 on Amazon Prime, while it’s is just about $2,000. Talk about looking the part without paying for it…ha!) // Shoes (old Calvin Klein’s from Burlington, similar in all-black ) // (Makes a fabulous gift for any girlfriends, sisters, etc, whether it’s for graduation, a bridal or baby shower, etc!) // (shade: Snitch – it looks like a brighter coral in the tube, but it’s more sheer on – totally wearable for spring/summer!)
5 CARDINAL RULES OF PRINT MIXING FOR SPRING
1. Mix big + small.
Key numero uno: Ya NEED scale here.Two big prints together will blind folks, while two small prints together might make ’em dizzy. The Golden Rule of print mixing anytime is always ensuring that the scale of your mixed prints is complimentary, not clashy. here, I’ve got a tiny polka dot print paired with a bigger, bolder floral. It feels balanced. It feels right.
If instead of tiny, subtle dots on top I was wearing something …it would be like Minnie Mouse met a garden party and something exploded. No bueno. 😉
2. Florals, dots, stripes or bust.
Hands down, the easiest peasiest combo is any 2 of the 3 above. Florals with dots (obvi), florals with stripes, stripes with dots – it all works. Pick which of the two you’re mixing, then revert back to Rule Numba One.
Alternatively, another take on print mixing is to take the SAME print, technically speaking, mixed with a different version of itself. So, big, fat, chunky stripe with a suuuuper thin pinstripe. Huge polka dots with teeny weeny polka dots. A bold floral (like in this skirt) with a small paisley floral print. It will have the same print mixing effect, without actually mixing prints!
3. One print “dominates,” one “accents”.
This one might not be as obvious, but it plays into our subconscious when we look at print mixing and think “HEY THAT WORKS!” versus “Um…check the mirror next time lady?” Ha! Typically, I’d say the bigger, bolder print will be the more domineering, and the smaller print works to accent or complement it. This might help out mentally when styling – once you know which piece is the “main” piece, so to speak, you can work the other, as well as any accessories etc., around that main piece so it feels like styling any other statement item.
4. Make sure the two prints share at least one color.
Here, it’s black + white. Obviously the polka dot top is B/W, and then the base of the skirt is black, with white floral embroidery pieces. So long as there’s something tying the two together, that’s the key! It’s a thread, of sorts, visually tying the look from top to bottom, so that when someone does the up and down – it works.
5. If one of said colors is neutral, even better.
Black + white, baby! My go-to is and always has been a good black/white print mix, but don’t feel limited! Navy could be worked as a neutral, and grey works wonders always. If you’re already kinda sorta on the fence about the legitimacy of print mixing in your weekly wardrobe, choosing a shared color like lime green might make the whole shebang a wee bit more BAM than otherwise anticipated. Choosing a shared neutral, tho, keeps it calm + cool.
What’s your favorite print mixing combo?
Are you a floral-dots kinda gal, too? Floral-stripes? What about stripes-dots? Or something else altogether?!
P.S. Before buying any new things this season, make sure ya do a solid closet cleanout – this spring cleaning post should help! Then you’ve got full permission to shop ’til ya drop. 😉
