All our Tips for Wearing Prints Well
The trend of prints has been in the spotlight lately, with more choices and creativity that continue to captivate us. That’s why a fundamental question arises:
How to wear prints while avoiding fashion faux pas?
From aztec patterns to floral prints, through flashy stripes or even safari or graphic prints… it’s not always easy to navigate. Fortunately, with the few rules and tips we’ve prepared for you, you can showcase your prints with peace of mind!
Rule #1: Find a balance
Your printed piece will be the star piece of your outfit. For the rest of your body, focus on sobriety to maintain elegance. The stronger the print, the more understated the cut should remain. Avoid ruffles, frills, and overly complicated details to avoid weighing down your silhouette and style. We love our prints so much that sometimes we want to wear them all on the same day... and then it becomes the Dunkirk carnival! Unfortunately, girls, patience is required. Make a choice between the top and the bottom.
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Also remember:
1/ Tropical prints
Palm trees, foliage, pineapples, ice cream, parrots are very "heavy" so go for them really in small touches (top or bottom). If you choose a dress, prefer it in a fluid material.
2/ If you like large patterns
Prefer them on garments with clean or light lines like a kimono or a summer shirt. Once again, it’s all about balance!
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3/ Colors that go well
A simple tip to remember for harmonizing your outfit is to:
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Also, consider stripes as a neutral pattern as they pair very well with all prints (animal, floral, tropical... everything!)
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Otherwise, gray, black, white, cream, camel, or nude are your best allies! Always remember to have them in your wardrobe ;)
Rule #2: Choose a print suitable for your body shape
The 5 body shape tips to remember:
Slim individuals can pretty much wear anything but be careful with vertical stripes!
If you are tall and slim, vertical stripes can make you look too frail or too elongated, risking completely erasing the lovely curves of your body and making you look masculine. Therefore, prefer horizontal lines to add volume to your silhouette.
Conversely, if you are curvy or petite, it is better to avoid horizontal stripes (especially wide ones) as they flatten the silhouette. (That said, a delicate sailor top remains very pretty)
Small and close prints reduce volume
For those with rather curvy body types, small checks, small polka dots, small flowers, delicate tropical prints will suit you wonderfully! And no color restrictions! (When you are curvy, you don't just wear black!)
Large and/or spaced prints add volume
If you are not comfortable with the curves of a part of your body, avoid XL prints in that area like large Aztec patterns, large watermelon and lemon prints as they tend to widen by optical effect. For "longilinear" body types, XL prints can conversely add volume (bust, shoulders, hips, buttocks) so go for it!
Animal prints suit everyone and are not necessarily vulgar!
Whether you are curvy or slim, animal prints work very well. Due to their rather "heavy" appearance, we suggest them on the top of the body for curvy individuals, and the bottom of the body for slim individuals. For curvy individuals, a slightly V-neck to highlight the bust and elongate the silhouette, and for slim individuals on the bottom of the body to give a rounded effect to your buttocks and highlight your legs.
As an accessory, it is also perfect for enhancing an outfit. It pairs very well with tropical patterns!
5/ The kimono suits all body types.
Many advantages to the kimono. It feminizes all body types and outfits, it is elegant, it keeps you warm and will save you if you haven't had time to think about your outfit of the day! ;) To balance its loose cut and patterns, wear slim pants or a skirt along with a simple outfit. For curvy people or those without a defined waist, wear it open with a long necklace to elongate your silhouette.
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Rule #3: Choose the fabric of your clothes, the right reflex to adopt!
Mastering the rules of prints is not everything! The choice of your fabrics is also crucial. For the curvier ones, opt for fluid fabrics, jersey, and/or vertical drape for the top and your dresses in general. For the bottom, you can very well choose more fitted materials made of elastane to sculpt your shapes. Avoid overly stretchy materials and favor high-waisted pants and solid colors to harmonize hips and love handles (once again, don't be afraid of colors!)
Below is a perfect example: fluid top with close prints + a stiffer bottom to smooth out the shapes while highlighting them :)
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For the slim ones, opt for textured fabrics or shiny ones to create volume and thus feminize your silhouette. You can also wear ruffled, fringed fabrics, thicker, looser materials (velvet, satin, wool, XXL knits).
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And there you go, girls, with these few tips, you won't have any trouble venturing into the wonderful world of prints!
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