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OPPOSITES ATTRACT
French label Balenciaga and Belgian designer Dries Van Noten have put creativity back in dressing by using clashing prints in recent years.
Tip: When shopping for prints, take note of the cut and shape of the piece. To avoid looking matronly or, worse, like wallpaper, pick a garment with a modern silhouette such as a structured or architectural dress or blazer rather than a shapeless dress.
Petite women should opt for small or mid-sized prints as large ones can overwhelm their frame.
Those who are bottom-heavy should go for a printed top and solid dark-colour bottoms to give the illusion of being slimmer. The opposite holds true for those who are top-heavy: Wear a dark, plain top and balance it out with a printed skirt.
Graffiti print jumper by Topshop Unique, $376, from Topshop; graffiti print cropped jacket, $117, from River Island |
KEEP IT CLEAN
Pantsuits usually come in solid colours but rebellious French label Agnes b. balances them out with a daring red version with fine floral prints, which is one good way to warm up to prints.
Tip: Where shoes and bags are concerned, opt for clean, modern lines to update printed garments. Avoid fussy details like pleats, tassels and other embellishments.
Skyscraper pumps and wedges in basic black or white, neutral tones like beige, or solid colours that complement the predominant colour on the printed garment are recommended. The same colour code applies for bags.
Red floral pantsuit, $730, from Agnes b; black wedges, $239, from Raoul; rubber necklace, $139, from Alldressedup; and white trucker cap from stylist
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SHINY, HAPPY PEOPLE
Thanks to leading American designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Marc Jacobs and Phillip Lim, sequins are shining bright this season, adorning even complex floral prints.
Tip: Keep the look clean with basic silhouettes such as T-shirts and blazers - these never look over-the-top when accented with sequins.
Dressing down while donning sequins can result in interesting looks. Matching this DKNY sequinned top with skinny jeans and bold high heels, for instance, gives an unpredictable dressy-meets-casual look.
Floral printed jacket, $499, and floral print sequinned top, $990, both from DKNY; jeans, $69, from Topshop; peep-toe sequinned boots, price on request, from Louis Vuitton; white trucker cap from stylist |
CARRY IT OFF
If you are one to stick to minimalist outfits or solid shades, a printed handbag or clutch can add a fun twist to your look.
A key purveyor of loud prints for cruise and spring/summer 2010, Prada has come up with a vibrant floral printed nylon bag (above left, price upon request) which will lend a pop to an all-black ensemble for work, or a casual white tank top and dark skinny jeans combo for weekends.
Alternatively, local label Alldressedup offers a bright yellow patent clutch (above right) with pop art-inspired rubber details for $259. |
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FUTURE NOW
Pattern masters such as Belgian designer Diane Von Furstenberg and Italian print powerhouse Roberto Cavalli are fans of optic prints.
Tip: Sci-fi-inspired optic prints can be an overkill on futuristic togs such as architectural blazers. However, they give more traditional garments such as this Raoul halter-neck evening dress a new lease of life.
Double strap ruched dress with optic prints, $499, and metal cuff, $219, both from Raoul; yellow patent clutch with rubber detail, $259, from Alldressedup
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EYE CANDY
Ruffles, prints and colour gradients do not usually go well together but this Diane Von Furstenberg dress works as it teams small ruffles with fine splotched prints and bathes them in bright jewel tones like emerald and amethyst for an exotic elegance.
Tip: When donning prints, go for an understated hairstyle so as not to overwhelm the look.
A tight, high pony tail adds sophistication and a modern edge.
Printed ruffle tube dress, $1,300, from Diane Von Furstenberg; metallic beaded bracelets, $29, from Topshop; strapped heels, $590, from DKNY
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PICK 'N' MIX
Mixing floral patterns is more modern than wearing one solid print because of the sense of energy and confidence it projects.
Tip: When mixing prints, offset larger patterns with a smaller print and accessories in a complementary colour palette for a pulled-together look. For instance, this double-print Prada outfit works because the nude heels and clutch complement the beige skirt.
If you want to throw caution to the wind, make sure you don at most two types of prints - anything more will give people a headache.
You can pair common prints like polka dots and stripes too. Just remember to stick to one predominant colour or to the same colour palette.
Floral printed skirt (worn as top), $1,660, floral printed skirt, $1,280, and nude heels with floral applique, price on request, all from Prada; gold clutch bag, price on request, from Louis Vuitton |
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Animal prints are a great way to dress high-fashion this season, but they can veer towards the tacky just as easily.
Tip: Mixing more than one animal print in a single outfit - leopard and zebra, for example - is generally a bad idea as it can look cheesy. But not if one piece is much subtler than the other, such as how this Raoul cuff with snakeskin print does not overtly clash with the Mulberry leopard print bag.
Blue and pink smoke print dress, $449, from Karen Millen; pink leopard print Bayswater bag, price on request, from Mulberry; snakeskin metal cuff, $199, and teal suede slingbacks, price unavailable, both from Raoul
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BRILLIANT STROKE
For the adventurous, throw on chunky, futuristic jewellery in plastic, rubber or metal with printed outfits for a high-fashion look.
Alldressedup's pop art rubber necklace (above left, $229) and Raoul's crumpled metal choker (above right, $349) are good options.
Avoid dainty pieces such as small pendants on fine chains as they would get lost among busy prints. |
Photographer: DESMOND FOO; Stylist: IAN LEE; Fashion direction: IAN LEE and ROHAIZATUL AZHAR; Make-up: RINA SIM using M.A.C (9762-0684); Hair: SAM WOO, Kimrobinson Studio; Model: NATALIE DICKSON, Mannequin |
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
