Summer is here, and I’ve been dreaming of the beach endlessly. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to the ocean yet and rain is the only water that I’ve been in. Although constant rain is expected in Ohio, it’s still a mood crusher no matter what. This is why I looked to the bright parts of my closet when picking out my outfit for the day.
Prints of all types— stripes, florals, polka-dots, you name it—are constantly seen on the runway and in the shopping mall. Have you ever thought about pairing stripes with polka dots or florals with chevron? Most people are often too afraid to combine such drastically different patterns. Leave it to the uber fun brand alice + olivia to send mixed prints down the runway in the most stylish way. The brand’s spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection, which was inspired by the art of Versailles, featured mismatched prints, bright pops of color and many high-waisted, two piece silhouettes.
Although sometimes difficult to do, this trend is one of my favorites this summer. I got lucky and found this multi-print pantsuit at Target, which made putting together an ensemble with different patterns effortless. I fell in love with the floral printed bottom and how cohesive it looked with the stripes on the top, due to the complementary colors. I added a relatively simple teal statement necklace and basic white wedges to complete the look and keep the focus on the patterns. Of course, I couldn’t forget my umbrella!
Mixing patterns can be super cute, as long as it’s executed in the right way. Remember to use similar colors to tie the whole look together and minimal accessories that don’t distract from the patterns. Don’t be afraid to take risks! After all, that’s what fashion is really all about.
Get My Look: 1. Striped top. 2. Floral printed palazzo pants. 3. Complimentary necklace.
