How to Be Bold and Creative with Print Mixing

The new world of mixing prints with abandon is colorful and artistic.  Artist and painter Pattie Gerrie is an example of someone who shows her true self with joy.  Let’s try some creative print mixing and have some fun!  Age doesn’t matter.

In this post:

• I start out with the general print-mixing techniques that always work.
• Then I give examples of prints that work as neutrals, with some outfit ideas for them.
• Then I present some bold and creative ideas to try. 
• And finally, I’ll finish up with outfit combinations to inspire you.  

I haven’t tried too much of this myself, so I’m excited to do more of it.  Let’s start experimenting!

~ This is an updated post and there are plenty of ideas here to create outfits for any season of the year. ~

The Fundamentals of Print Mixing

What’s the Difference Between Prints & Patterns?

Before I start talking about how to mix prints and patterns, I’d like to clarify the difference.

Liz at Closet Play Image has a great blog post on ”Prints and Patterns” HERE.  She explains that prints are designs printed onto the fabric. And a pattern is woven into the cloth rather than printed onto it.

Both prints and patterns may be used when you mix prints in your outfits.

Print Mixing the Easy Way

To start out by just sticking your toe in the print-mixing waters, add a second print as an accent piece when you’re wearing a patterned/printed piece.

Mixing Patterns Made Foolproof

1. Safely mix prints in the same color, pattern or scale. For instance:  different prints sharing the same color; different patterns such as stripes with plaid; or different patterns in different colors but in the same scale such as small, medium or large.
2. Wear a large print with a smaller one, or two.
3. Same colors, different print; same print, different colors.
4. Or pair a pretty, round floral with a straight stripe or plaid.
5. Dots, stripes and animal prints are neutrals that go with any other prints.  See more on this below.

Guidelines for Easy Print Mixing

1. Similar-sized prints always work together!
2. To mix bold prints, pick one palette and stick to it.  Mixing prints is easiest when they both contain one or more similar colors or shapes (such as geometric shapes, polka-dots, stripes, plaids, etc.)
3. Stripes are a neutral that work with anything.  Pinstripes are even easier!
4. Leopard prints are considered neutrals.  They go with just about anything.

   

5. Put mismatched prints together to give them new life — just make sure they have a common color.
6. A polka-dot top or bottom could mix with most other prints.
7. Watercolor or brushstroke prints could mix with most other prints.
8. Bottoms in a black and white print go with any other color or pattern.

Neutral Prints to Mix and Match:

Mix two prints in a neutral color or two.

Here is a list of prints that can be mixed and matched freely because they act as neutrals:

Animal prints.

Watercolor prints.

Tribal patterns (Aztec, African, etc.)

Tartan plaids.

Tone on tone prints — patterns in lighter and darker tones of the same color.  They work just like the solid version of the base color.

Small repeating geometric patterns — such as checks, dots, tiles, squares, stripes and diamonds.

Another easy neutral to use with almost anything is  a print that is so small that the pattern/colors mix together so closely that from a distance they look like they almost blend together to become one shade.

Florals that read like solids — from a distance, they can almost look like a solid color because the flowers are all the same shade or tint in lightness or darkness, or at least low in contrast.

Something A Little More Advanced

Try mixing prints, colors, florals, or stripes with flowers or dots.

Mix a large-scale print with a smaller one.

Instead of thinking “mixing prints,” think “mixing patterns”…by which I mean, use the same pattern in different sizes and colors.  For instance, two or more different kinds of stripes, different kinds of florals, different kinds of plaids, etc.  It will always work!

Combine two pieces of the same print in the same scale. Then, they don’t have to be in the same color.

Instead of thinking “mixing prints,” think “mixing colors”…by which I mean, use different patterns in the same colors.  I always look for one color that is the same in two different prints.  You can use different patterns in complementary colors or triad colors, etc., but that starts to get a little more complicated.  It’s a much safer bet to make sure one color in the two patterns is the same.

Wear more than two prints/patterns with the same color. As above, just make sure there is one color that all of the prints or patterns contain.

Go really crazy and throw on every color and print imaginable:  top, bottom, belt, shoes, jacket, scarf, necklace, sunglasses.  Add one or two cuffs and rings in the metal of your choice.

Print Mixing With Accessories

It’s probably the easiest way to try mixing prints.  Just add a scarf, shoes, purse, hat, etc., in a print with a printed outfit.  Use the tips above, or just experiment.  Also, to tie two prints together, a top and a bottom, you can add a solid belt in a common color in any texture you like.

Add a printed, textured belt to a printed top or cardigan.

Add printed sunglasses to a patterned or printed piece for instant subtle print mixing!

Add printed boots or scarf or kimono to anything. Bonus points if your top, bottom and/or dress are also printed or patterned.

Outfit Ideas for Mixing Prints/Patterns

Following are outfit ideas divided into the following categories:

• Animal Prints
• Business Outfits
• Graphic Tees
• Plaids
• Polka Dots
• Stripes
• Tie-Dye
• Tribal Prints
• And More

Print Mixing Ideas For Animal Prints:

1. An animal-print + any color or pattern!  Try a leopard top as a neutral with a printed bottom.
2. An animal-print goes great with anything floral!
3. An animal-print vest + an animal-print tunic in similar colors + blue jeans.  Add one or more pendant necklaces + a cuff.  You may want to add a fringed bag.
4. Try a leopard-print top with a tiger-print skirt, a polka-dot skirt, a floral skirt or other printed skirt.
5. A leopard-print top + a plaid shirt or printed blouse as jacket.
6. An animal-print top + striped pants. Add ankle boots. You might also like to wear a hat.

How to Mix Prints and Business:

Pattern on pattern can work for the office.  Just keep one of the prints on the pared-down side.

1. Add a leopard-print scarf to a brown pinstripe or tweed jacket + brown or black pants.
2. A black and white polka-dot camisole + black pinstripe pants or skirt + a jacket/blazer.  If the blazer is not a bright color, add one or more colorful accessories.
3. A black and white polka-dot camisole + a black pinstripe skirt or a floral skirt on black ground + a cover-up.
4. A navy striped shirt + navy pinstripe pants.  Add simple accessories to keep the look polished.
5. A pinstripe suit + a long print scarf wrapped around your neck and knotted in front.  You may want to add a fedora.

Outfits That Mix Prints With Graphic Tees:

1. A graphic tee inside a printed skirt (with at least one similar color or design).  Add tall flat boots + bangles or cuffs.
2. A short-sleeve gray graphic tee inside any print maxi-skirt.  Add any belt + slip-ons or high-top sneakers + mixed metals coin necklace or other similar necklaces + bracelets.
3. A long black graphic tee over black pinstripe pants.  You may want to add black sandals, a black cardigan.
4. A black graphic tee under a blue plaid shirt + denim bottoms.  Add black boots.
5. A graphic tee + a plaid shirt + black leather skinnies + a black leather jacket.  Add black ankle boots .  You may also want to add a beanie.

Print Mixing Using Plaids:

1. Plaid + a clashing print in a matching color.
2. Plaid on plaid (i.e., a green plaid blazer + a teal plaid shirt; or add a plaid cashmere scarf to an outfit that contains a plaid piece.)
3. Plaid flannel shirt as jacket + a plaid shirt tucked into cargo pants.  Add sunglasses if sunny.
4. A long-sleeve plaid shirt + a sleeveless graphic tee + flares.  You may want to add a short cross pendant + a couple of short strands of beads + cuffs.
5. Something in plaid + a leopard print:  top, dress, scarf or shoes.

   

6. Pair a plaid shirt with a printed skirt that has a color that’s in the plaid. May add a patterned belt that has a color in the shirt or skirt. Turquoise jewelry goes with anything, so you might like to add it to this outfit!
7. A plaid shirt + animal-print jeans or skirt.
8. A green plaid blazer + a teal striped top or an animal-print top.
9. A plaid blazer + a graphic tee + destroyed skinnies.
10. A plaid shirt open over a tie-dyed tee + jeans.  Add sneakers.
11. A plaid shirt as jacket over a striped tee + blue jeans.  Add sneakers + a couple of necklaces.

Outfits That Mix Polka Dots With Other Prints:

Remember, you can also mix polka dots with other colors and/or scales of polka dots.

Try a polka-dot jacket over a graphic tee & pants in a color to match a color in your prints.

Pair a polka-dot cami or tank + any plaid shirt worn open as a jacket.

Print Mixing Ideas For Stripes:

1. A floral jacket, cardigan or kimono over a striped top & pants in a color from your prints.
2. A navy striped shirt + black or brown striped pants + a black leather jacket.  You may want to add heeled sandals.
3. A black top with gold (or any color) stars + black pinstripe pants.
4. A striped top + animal-print pants.

Ways to Use Tie-Dye in Your Outfits

Pair a tie-dye top with printed bottoms.

Combine a tie-dye top with tie-dye jeans, pants, leggings, skirt or shorts.

An Outfit With Tribal Prints:

A gray and black Aztec-print cardigan + a colorful graphic tee + blue jeans.  Add a black and gold geometric necklace + a few bracelets.

More Outfit Combinations With Mixed Prints

1. A printed top + printed bottoms + a neutral jacket.  Add shoes to match the jacket.
2. A paisley tunic with beige ground + a beige skirt with black tiger stripes on it.
3. A gold blouse with black zig-zag stripes + a beige skirt with black tiger stripes.  Try tying them together with a black or gold embellished belt.
4. A blue blouse with black geometric lines + a navy skirt with white polka-dots.
5. A gold blouse with black geometric lines + a black skirt with fine white pinstripes.

   

6. Printed top or printed matching set + a printed skirt. You might like to wear a coin belt.
7. A black printed tee + black printed pants.  You may want to add a long tassel pendant + sandals + sunglasses if sunny.
8. A black silk t-shirt with gold stars printed on it + printed palazzo pants with a black ground.
9. Mix two patterns, than add black tights.
10. A white tee + printed pants + a printed kimono that has one or more colors from the pants.
11. Pair printed pants with printed footwear, such as sneakers.

 Let’s Connect!

Have you had success with mixing prints?  Please let us know. Leave a reply below!

I hope this was helpful to you. Do you have ideas to add for how to wear a lace turtleneck?  Please leave a reply in the comments below!

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