PHOTO: DANIEL ZUCHNIK
cool. Before you know it, you might just turn that all-black wardrobe of yours upside-down.
part of the course,” says Medine. “But I suppose that safe prints to wear together are: stripes and leopard print, polka dot and leopard print… Leopard print is really a neutral in the print-mixing world.” Tap into some old-school glamour with a few key leopard pieces (like a miniskirt for what’s left of summer and a faux-fur coat for the fall), and begin swapping those for other hallmarks of your wardrobe. Swap the black ballet flats you’d wear with jeans and a striped button-down for a leopard pair, for instance; or, you can jump in head-first with a Breton tee and skirt. (Zimmermann personally likes pairing the wild print with “a washed vintage floral.”) The most important nonrule, after all, according to Medine? “Yeah, don’t overthink it.”
Don’t Shy Away From Prints in the Same Family
Solid & Striped The Anne-Marie gingham swimsuit, $163,
MatchesFashion.com; Zimmermann Paradiso gingham drill shorts, $310, Zimmermann
When thinking “mixed prints,” your instinct might be to grab two totally different patterns—but consider sticking to a single theme or family. “I really like taking ditzy florals and gigantic [ones] and tossing them together,” says Medine. Zimmermann is on the same page: “I like mixing similar-based artworks—for example, I’ll mix a few different paisley colors and patterns, and put them all together as a look…. It always works!” The designer has seen this trick work in a range of categories, from gingham to florals. “Come to think of it, I guess you could say that’s my formula for a print clash,” she concludes.
Take Color Into Account
Isabel Marant floral print blouse, $236, Farfetch; Tanya Taylor Jules skirt, $395, Tanya Taylor
Taylor stresses that achieving the visual balance you want from print-clashing really relies on the color palette. “A fool-proof way to print mix is to match a lighter print with a darker [one],” she says. “For pre-spring 2018, we matched a lighter blue watercolor floral with a black micro-floral print with hints of blue, white, and red; essentially, both prints need to be either inverses of each other or pick up on the same tones.” Medine stands by this as well. “[Mixing patterns] isn’t so much about the prints as it is about the colors of the prints,” she explains. “I’m of the belief that no two prints can be married until color comes into question. So when scanning your closet for graphics that could pair well together, think about how the colors complement each other. The sartorial puzzle won’t seem so confusing after.”
Think About the Silhouettes You’re Bringing Together
H&M off-the-shoulder top, $17.99, H&M; Miu Miu Cropped polka-dot silk crepe de chine straight-leg pants, $1,050, Net-a-Porter
When it comes to prints, it’s not just color that makes a difference—it’s also the garment they’re rendered on. When planning your clashing patterns, “focus on the silhouette,” Taylor says, to make sure these don’t detract from the graphics you want to show off. “Keep it simple, keep it classic, and let the print-mixing do the talking!” Some no-fail options include pixie pants, midi skirts, and clean off-the-shoulder tops; leave the more eye-catching shapes for a monochromatic outfit day.
Remind Yourself: It’s Supposed to Be Fun
Comme des Garçons Play striped long-sleeved T-shirt, $174,
Farfetch; For Restless Sleepers palm-print loose-fit trousers, $306, Farfetch
Circling back on Medine’s early advice, don’t take the print-styling process too seriously. “If you feel ridiculous, that’s kind of the point,” she says. “Bask in it.” Just because you’ve reached for the loudest print in your arsenal—like pajama-inspired silk palm-print pants, for instance, or the brightest floral dress you can find—doesn’t mean you have to pair it with neutrals or solids. If anything, it’s an opportunity to really have fun and express yourself creatively. “It’s about getting comfortable with what you’ve put together,” says Zimmermann. “You can always surprise yourself when mixing prints, so I think if you think in terms of formula, it takes away the fun and the chance for something great to happen!” What are you waiting for? Go for it!