Master Clash How To Mix Prints

The single biggest question I get on my social media is how to mix prints.

I have to admit I wasn’t always a skilled mix-master. Believe it or not, I am a reformed minimalist- if you were to look back 3-4 years my entire closet consisted of all black clothing. I wanted it sleek and serious.

I’m not sure what changed- whether it was me, the trends, the world climate or all of the above but I blame it on Gucci.

Most trend innovations have a point of origin or a ‘spiritual leader’, for Maximalists and Print Mixing Aficionados it’s Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele. When he took the reins at Gucci in 2015 he set fashion ablaze with sequins, bedazzlement and a grandma chic style that was undeniably covetable.

The new fresh-yet-retro chic vibe he created crept into my fashion-soul and I began to find a bespoke joy in watching prints magically mingle to create something unexpected and interesting. You can ask my assistant but I think if you were to quote what I say the most it would be “Am I crazy or does this look amazing together”?

Embracing your inner Print Mix Master is about having more fun in fashion, expressing your mood, personality and not taking your style too seriously.

It’s about experimenting BUT it’s also a learned art. You have to develop a sense to pair the right pieces because in print mixing, it can be really-really right or go really-really wrong.

To keep you on the right track I put together some of my tips to have you mixing and matching like a pro:

ONE: Mix prints and textures, add ruffles here and there and include embroidery and embellishments whenever possible. When mixing prints and patterns make sure your prints have something in common. You can’t just mix whatever comes to your hands first. The easiest way to do this is to make sure that one color carries through each print. Remember that stripes and plaids are super versatile patterns that can be combined with many others they are almost a neural when print mixing. Pattern on pattern is another easy way to go, mix two different plaids or two animal prints just make sure that the colors and the style of the pieces blend seamlessly.

TWO: Layering is a MUST but try to move away from traditional ways of layering. Think outside the box. Why wear one coat when you can wear two? It gives you the perfect excuse during winter months to layer and keep layering until you look like a haute winter burrito. Pile the clothes on and pile them high.

THREE: Delicious Details. Always appreciates the details. You think tights don’t matter? Tights and socks are a way of making a statement. Adding in brightly colored tights can transform a LDB into something uber chic. Think you can skip the belt? Think again a belt helps give your silhouette shape AND adds another layer at the same time! Takes advantage of the tiniest details.

FOUR: Give yourself an anchor piece. Layer in one solid or neutral piece to ground your look.