Prints and patterns are a great way to add some flair and personality to your outfits, but they can also be intimidating to mix and match. How do you know which prints go well together? How do you avoid looking too busy or clashing? How do you balance the proportions and colors of different prints?

In this article, we will share some tips and tricks on how to mix and match prints like a pro, whether you are dressing for work, casual, or formal occasions. We will also show you some examples of print-mixing outfits that you can try or use as inspiration.

The Basics of Print Mixing

Before we dive into the specific print combinations, let’s go over some basic principles of print mixing that will help you create harmonious and stylish looks.

• Repeat colors. One of the easiest ways to make prints look good together is to choose prints that share at least one color in common. This creates a sense of cohesion and unity among the prints, and prevents them from clashing. You can either choose prints that have the same dominant color, or pick a less dominant color from one print and match it with another print. For example, if you have a floral dress with a touch of yellow, you can pair it with a yellow-striped cardigan or scarf.
• Pick a big print and a small print. Another way to balance prints is to vary their size or scale. If you have two prints that are too similar in size, they might compete for attention and create visual noise. Instead, try pairing a big print with a small print, or a medium print with a very small print. This creates contrast and hierarchy among the prints, and makes them more pleasing to the eye. For example, if you have a skirt with a large polka dot pattern, you can pair it with a blouse with a tiny floral print.
• Follow the 60-30-10 rule. If you want to mix more than two prints, a good rule of thumb is to follow the 60-30-10 rule. This means that you should have one print that takes up 60% of your outfit, another print that takes up 30%, and a third print that takes up 10%. This helps you distribute the prints evenly and avoid looking too overwhelming. For example, you can wear a dress with a large floral print (60%), a jacket with a medium plaid print (30%), and a belt or shoes with a small animal print (10%).
• Use a solid to break up prints. Sometimes, two prints that would otherwise look good together need something solid to separate them and create some breathing space. This can be a solid-colored piece of clothing, an accessory, or even your skin. For example, if you are wearing a striped shirt and a floral skirt, you can tuck in your shirt or wear a belt to create some separation between the prints. Or, if you are wearing a printed scarf and a printed coat, you can leave some space between them by unbuttoning your coat or draping your scarf loosely.

The Best Print Combinations

Now that you know the basics of print mixing, let’s look at some of the best print combinations that you can try for different occasions.

Stripes + Florals

This is one of the most classic and foolproof print combinations that work for any season and style. Stripes and florals are both versatile and timeless prints that can be mixed and matched in many ways. You can either go for contrasting colors or complementary colors, depending on your mood and preference.

Some examples of stripe + floral outfits are:

• A navy-and-white striped shirt with a red floral skirt
• A black-and-white striped dress with a pink floral blazer
• A yellow-and-white striped sweater with blue floral jeans
• A green-and-white striped blouse with purple floral shorts

Polka Dots + Plaid

This is another fun and easy print combination that adds some retro charm and whimsy to your outfits. Polka dots and plaid are both geometric prints that can create interesting patterns when mixed together. You can either go for similar colors or contrasting colors, depending on how bold or subtle you want to be.

Some examples of polka dot + plaid outfits are:

• A black-and-white polka dot blouse with a red plaid skirt
• A navy-and-white polka dot dress with a green plaid coat
• A brown-and-white polka dot sweater with blue plaid pants
• A red-and-white polka dot shirt with yellow plaid shorts

Animal Print + Floral

This is a more daring and edgy print combination that adds some wildness and glamour to your outfits. Animal print and floral are both organic prints that can create a striking contrast when mixed together. You can either go for neutral colors or bright colors, depending on how much you want to stand out.

Some examples of animal print + floral outfits are:

• A leopard print blouse with a pink floral skirt
• A zebra print dress with a green floral jacket
• A snake print sweater with purple floral jeans
• A tiger print shirt with blue floral shorts

Gingham + Stripes

This is a more preppy and chic print combination that adds some freshness and sophistication to your outfits. Gingham and stripes are both simple and crisp prints that can create a harmonious blend when mixed together. You can either go for matching colors or contrasting colors, depending on how much you want to mix things up.

Some examples of gingham + stripe outfits are:

• A black-and-white gingham blouse with a red-and-white striped skirt
• A navy-and-white gingham dress with a yellow-and-white striped blazer
• A green-and-white gingham sweater with blue-and-white striped jeans
• A pink-and-white gingham shirt with purple-and-white striped shorts

Tie Dye + Checkers

This is a more trendy and funky print combination that adds some color and fun to your outfits. Tie dye and checkers are both playful and vibrant prints that can create a cool and unexpected mix when paired together. You can either go for similar colors or different colors, depending on how much you want to experiment.

Some examples of tie-dye + checker outfits are:

• A rainbow tie-dye shirt with a black-and-white checker skirt
• A blue tie-dye dress with a red-and-white checker coat
• A purple tie-dye sweater with green-and-white checker pants
• A pink tie-dye blouse with yellow-and-black checker shorts

Conclusion

Mixing prints and patterns is not as hard as it seems, as long as you follow some basic guidelines and have some fun with it. By repeating colors, picking different sizes, following the 60-30-10 rule, and using solids to break up prints, you can create stylish and harmonious outfits that showcase your personality and creativity.

You can also try some of the best print combinations we suggested, such as stripes + florals, polka dots + plaid, animal print + floral, gingham + stripes, and tie-dye + checkers. These combinations work for any occasion and style, and can help you spice up your wardrobe and home décor.

So don’t be afraid to mix and match prints like a pro, and enjoy the endless possibilities of prints and patterns!