3 Steps For Mixing Prints Like A Pro

This hot New York City summer made me realize that I don’t own enough easy to throw on, breathable cotton clothing. So I’ve decided to dive into my archive of vintage fabrics and start designing. Most of my fabrics were given to me by my Aunt Bert, so there is no rhyme or reason to this arsenal of mismatched yardage. Lucky for me the fabrics are mostly cotton, but unlikely for my wardrobe, they are in some brightly colored prints! Print mixing is a big trend for Resort 2013 so I tried to make it work for my wardrobe by following these 3 key rules…

1. Keep it in the family, the same color family that is. Choose prints that have similar colors, but different composition.

2. Mix different scales. Choose one print that has a smaller and tighter scale and one that is larger and more open.

3. Keep the shapes simple. When mixing prints, in one garment or one look, keep the silhouettes basic. Let the prints do the talking.

For this simple structured top I chose a no-print print for the body and matched it with a lighter grounded, larger scale print that carries the same colors. By keeping the silhouette boxy and basic, the prints create a graphic statement on their own.

(worn with my bing bang earrings. spitfire sunnies. gifted necklace from Serena. thrifted cuffs. vintage rings. vintage clutch. my DIY stripe jbrand jeans. zara sandals. )

Other great examples of print mixing using the key rules…