Mixing Prints: A Fashion Risk Worth Taking

Mixing Prints. According to Connie Wang, a senior global editor at Refinery 29, “It’s one of the scariest trends to attempt, but once you get a handle on print mixing, it can change your life.”

Want to take a risk this fall? Mixing prints is a hot trend that is here to stay. We can say goodbye to other trends such as neon, flatforms and pastel hair. Fresh off the runway from designers like Prabal Gurung, Rebecca Minkoff and J. Crew, clashing prints is the newest up-to-the-minute trend.

Solange Knowles, recognized as one of the initial trendsetters for mixing prints, stylishly clashes her clothes like no other. Recently spotted at New York Fashion Week on September 11^th, Knowles rocked a blue and white houndstooth pencil skirt paired with a printed red and white blouse and cheetah-print heels. To take it a step further, she added a pop of color with her yellow purse.

You might be thinking, how can I try this trend and make it work? Kelsey Maxin, an employee from Urban Outfitters, is a fan of the trend and has some advice. Maxin loves the trend and advises those of you wanting to try it out to start small. She recommends florals with a stripe to add depth to your outfit, which she says is great for fall because you can layer and mix prints, and fall is the perfect season to do that. One piece of advice Maxin has for those of you trying out the trend would be to start with a floral infinity scarf over a striped sweater, or plaid on plaid, which she says is a big trend at Urban Outfitters right now. She advises to start small and use accessories as your go-to for clashing prints.

Looking for some inspiration? Pinterest is always a good place to start. Look for prints that you already have in your closet, such as stripes, polka dots, florals, animal or geometric that you could easily mix together.

Fashion is all about taking risks. Although mixing prints may seem scary at first, it’s a risk worth taking. There are no “mistakes” in fashion. Just like any other skill that takes awhile to perfect, once perfected, mixing prints is a trend you will want to try over and over again. After all, life is short, mix the prints.

Photo by Lauren Matakas