If you’re like many women, you have a mortal fear of prints. You look in your closet and what greets you? A sea of solid colors. There’s not a print in sight except for the striped button down you bought (but rarely wear) and an old animal print/floral/plaid/geometric sweater you’ve had since the 1990’s.
It’s not because you only love solids. It’s more that buying a print seems like a good idea at the time, but weeks, months and even years go by and it rarely, if ever, makes it out of your closet. You like the idea of wearing a print, but every time you put one on you feel out of sorts, overwhelmed or too obvious. Animal prints feel too trendy. Geometrics feel hard, and florals remind you of your third grade teacher.
So, with a sigh, it’s back to basics and solid colors.
But… and it’s a big but… you feel like you’re missing out. Your wardrobe feels predictable and limited. You know there has to be a perfect print for you, but finding it has proven to be a very expensive enterprise-too many items sit unworn in your closet.
Let me put your mind at ease. It’s not your imagination that choosing a print involves a bit of sifting and sorting-there are plenty of wacky prints out there. Last season I decided that designers had run out of ideas when they introduced patchwork animal print as a trend. Yikes! Really? I’ve always been a fan of animal print, but as soon as you put it in a garment with florals and plaids, it’s downright scary!
Prints can be your friend. They immediately add visual interest and spice up an otherwise mundane look. But…
It’s all about finding the right prints for you.
So get ready, because you’re about to learn how to choose a print that makes your heart sing and looks great on you!
2 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Print for You:
The two most important components to consider when choosing a print are color and personality:
- Color – the predominant color (at least) needs to be one of your best. If the print you are considering has orange, olive green and a speck of purple, but you look terrible (or just so-so) in orange and olive green while the purple is your best color, don’t buy it! That little speck of color cannot overcome the bad vibes of the orange and olive green.
- Personality – This element is arguably the most important. In the photos below I will share the women’s inner beauty words (the words that describe who they are deep down to their soul). Paying attention to who you are is a critical component in selecting a print (and your wardrobe, in general).
What prints naturally appeal to you? If you are genuinely joyful and fun, polka dots might appeal to you. Have a little fire or feistiness in your personality? Animal prints or zigzags might be the answer. Quiet and luminous? Your prints will reflect that – maybe soft tone-on-tone paisley or watercolor florals.
There is no end to the combinations that can work, but it can also be overwhelming to walk around a store surrounded by prints with no clue as to how to approach them. With these two guides you will be surprised by how much more success you have!
