Wardrobe...Play with prints

Printed fabrics are everywhere this season. Digital prints, geometric prints, floral prints, animal prints; this season almost has it all... This season designers fall in love with prints, from abstract florals to strong tribal prints. Digital prints, geometric prints, floral prints, animal prints; this season almost has it all. Prints range from vibrant hues (green, blue, pink) to earthy spice colours. Bold, sophisticated geometric prints and contrast digital prints are easily adapted from catwalk couture to ready-to-wear wonders. With smart tailored lines, this is power-dressing for a whole new generation of women. So let’s check out the popular prints this season: Go digital: Modern printing methods such as laser and ink-jet printing are known as digital printing. These days digital prints are very much in fashion. The scope for digital prints is so broad - from abstract graphics to photographic prints - that you’re bound to find something for your wardrobe. With the price for digital printing dropping, many high street brands now offer a good selection of pieces. Digital printing offers rapid results - an advantage which can be crucial in today’s fashion market, and which cannot be achieved with silkscreen or rotary screen printing. It enables design and colour changes to be made spontaneously, and for subtle and complex details to be printed with greater ease than conventional printing methods. Geo-metry! Geometric prints are really fun to play with, because you can choose to match or clash prints. The prints should be quite angular and repetitive, resembling shapes like triangles, zigzags, circles, squares, stripes or diamonds, and they work best on simple silhouettes like fitted sweaters, tunics, tapered trousers and pencil skirts. Most importantly - have fun! Geometric prints can be very tricky as dresses with larger prints make your curves appear bigger, while those with smaller prints make you look taller and still show the sexiness in you. You can mix prints, but this requires skills. It’s easier when you dress your top or bottom part in geometric prints and pair them with plain dresses. Dressing in geometric trousers and a plain peplum top looks adorable. Sassy stripes The humble stripe’s versatility has long been underrated but not this season. With geometric prints and contrast pieces being current must-haves, stripes are a perfect way to embrace the trend for some casual glam. Able to suit a variety of body types depending on their direction and intensity, stripes with traditional minimalist bands of black and white will have the best results this season. Large, bold herringbone prints add a level of magnetism to any ensemble. Flower power Florals are all about having fun with fashion. Soft floral prints offer a touch of femininity to warm weather style so you can bring out your girlish charm with every outfit and accessory you wear. The floral trend still continues from previous years with printed palazzos and shirts and everything else retailers can put a flower on. This season’s florals come in soft pastel colours and vibrant hues, all of which are some variation of the garden theme. If you’re not keen on approaching a head-to-toe floral look, this season offers plenty of other alternatives. Try floral-printed heels for a subtle take on the trend, or revamp your wardrobe with the perfect spring floral bag. Jungle calling Flirtatious and always flashy, animal prints are modern pattern stalwarts. Just like the African savannah, this look is hot. The animal print has been very fashionable throughout the twentieth century. Christian Dior, the famous couturier of the 1950s, is a lover of animal prints. His obsession with leopard fabrics came from his supremely chic muse, Mitzah Bricard. Perfect for the modern-day siren and paired with a ‘come-hither’ look, leopard prints are irresistible. More subtle and subdued than powerful large stripes, the zebra print turns heads in its own way. Fabulously engaging, concentrated and grouped zebra stripes will give you that touch of daring you have been after. Tips and tricks for mixing prints: The easiest way to mix prints well involves choosing prints with a similar theme (colour, scale) or lots of contrast (polka dots with stripes). Fancy palazzos look best when teamed with a simple white shirt and flat pointy-toe pumps. When taking the pick ‘n’ mix approach to pattern, prints with matching colours and a similar scale make for a more complementary combination. Complement your printed piece of clothing by keeping the rest of your outfit in the same kind of colour scheme. Pair separates or choose accessories by picking out a colour from the print. If you’re mixing two prints together (especially when going for the head-to-toe look) try and choose ones in similar colours. Neutral prints look most elegant when teamed with easy-to-wear creams and metallics. Use patterned accessories. Try rocking a printed belt or scarf with a patterned top or dress. Stripes plus florals equals love. This tried and true combination is easy to work into an outfit - it’s the perfect combo to try if you’re unsure about this look. Be confident! This trend isn’t for the timid. Wear your outfit with some attitude, and everyone will admire your fearless fashion sense.