How to Mix Prints
Riffraff Shift Dress ** (s/o, LS version here**! similar SS here, here) | Plaid Blanket Scarf | Cheetah Clutch (splurge or steal) | Haku Booties | Kendra Scott Earrings | Loren Hope Cuff | Essie Nail Polish
**Get 15% off + Free Shipping w/code "RiffraffRepLauren" at checkout on ShopRiffraff,com
For all of you professional pattern mixers, you are probably think I’m a newb. And, I kind of am. Call me crazy, but I’ve never been that into print mixing…I’m pretty much on the opposite end of the spectrum. My main style muses are Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s that they are classics, because what they wear looks good in any time period. I could stay in my matchy-matchy universe, but sometimes I like to switch it up! Ya know, keeping it fresh ;)
This look is pretty bold for me. I only recently started gravitating toward the color red. I used to shy away from it because of my red hair, but my boyfriend happens to love me in red. Back in January, he bought me the cutest red dress for our one year anniversary. Ever since then, I’ve tried to find some good red pieces. This shift dress is the perfect fall transition piece, which is one of the reasons I decided to use it as the base for my pattern mixing. I think that it is easier/more fun to mix it up in the fall, because of all the accessories!
For those of you who are novices, or just plain hesitant like me, here’s a couple tips and tricks to print mix like a pro!
1) Pick prints that have the same base color or color scheme. In this outfit I chose khaki, which is pretty easy to see. My shoes are also in the same color scheme, so it ties my look together with ease. It’s easy to notice that they all coordinate, but it doesn’t scream KHAKI at you, which is kind of the whole point.
2) Don’t choose more than 2 prints. You can disagree with me, but for the most part, it’s true. With more than 2 patterns, it starts to look sloppy and unkempt, in my opinion. For example, mix your skirt and top, but pair them with a solid shoe. If you want to push the limit even more, just add texture! (I mentioned that in this post, a couple of months ago!)
3) Make sure you have a neutral. My neutral is my red dress. It serves as the “base” of the fashion statement. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a “neutral” color like black or grey, just a hue that sits as the place where everything ties together!
4) When in doubt, choose cheetah. Leopard/Cheetah prints are a neutral these days. They are so easy to style for this reason! If you’re unsure what to add to your look, you can never go wrong with leopard! It’s pretty much like the “Helen Keller” card in Apples to Apples…it always wins!
5) Stripes and Florals pair perfectly. This is pretty much the most common pattern mixing that I’ve seen. Just make sure you have a color as a common thread to bring the two together. Of course, you could always have a “pop” color scheme in one and tie the other piece of clothing to shoes or an accessory, but that’s beyond Print Mixing 101 ;)
6) Wear confidence. If you feel good in what you’re wearing, it will exude from your presence no matter what you have on! So, always put on a dash of confidence and you’re ready to go!
Do you pattern mix? What are your favorite combinations? Did I leave any tips out?
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