Photograph via stylebistro
Mamma's got a brand new bag!
And I owe it to San Francisco, where life organically unfolds allowing us to adjust our lens accordingly. Take prints for example, which I have rarely favored over solids. Now I make it a point not just to wear them but to mix them too. And while there is an art to it, I have nailed it down to these simple tricks. Give it a try, you just might shed your solid skin in favor of a more playful one...and be on trend to boot!
- Get inspired. The pros have been doing this for eons. Isabel Marant, Etro, Diane von Furstenberg, and Dolce & Gabbana are among my favorite designers who share an affinity for prints and are brilliant at weaving them together in a single piece of clothing or with other printed pieces. Discover what your comfort zone is and morph from there.
- Stay within a color scheme. Mix prints in the same tonal family. The DVF ensemble below is a great example. Elegant meets chic with a touch of whimsy.
- Bring on the stripes! They complement other prints effortlessly, especially florals. Check out Heidi Klum's striped top and gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana number below.
- Contrast large prints with smaller ones. Some stylists differ with me on this one but I feel that too many prints of the same size can be jarring.
- Pinpoint a mood. While more difficult to do well, combining prints that share a certain feel can be very rewarding, like infusing an ethereal watercolor print with large whimsical circles or a herringbone pattern with an animal print.
- Spotlight a single piece. Showcasing a dramatic print can be achieved by mixing it with a smaller, repetitive pattern. I have discovered that the latter acts like a solid against the bold centerpiece (that's why stripes are a good way to ease into mixing.)
Runway photos above: Etro (left and center) Tracy Reese (right)
Heidi Klum, photo via justjared
The always stylish Chiara Ferragni, photo via gastrochic.com
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Sure, these are the pros and there are teams of designers and stylists behind them but it really is easier than you think. Below is an ensemble from my own closet which infuses three printed pieces. What do you think?
Here's to a more playful you in 2015!
Blouse, Etoile by Isabel Marant; jacket, Cher Michel Klein; skinnies, Lure by Gold Sign; loafers, Sam Edelman; scarf, Michel Klein; clutch, vintage Dolce & Gabanna; sunglasses, Oliver Peoples; earrings and necklace, Designs by Alina.