Some of the most celebrated designers are known for their bold prints and skill at mixing and matching different motifs. Emilio Pucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, Missoni and Proenza Schouler all have fashionistas the world over lusting after their collections replete with prints ripe for mixing and matching. Even if you don’t view yourself as fashion savvy, print mixing is a cinch once you learn the basics.

How to Get Started

For the novice, print mixing can be tricky at first. With so many options to consider, from geometrics and florals to animal prints and polka dots, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However once you get the hang of it, you’ll be searching your closet for new combinations to try.

When you’re diving into a new realm of fashion, it’s sometimes best to take it slow. If you’re completely new to mixing prints and colors start experimenting with your accessories. Everyone has a little black dress (LBD) or simple white v-neck t-shirt and jeans in their closet. To jazz up your LBD, accessorize it with an animal print clutch and a lightweight tribal inspired silk scarf. Jeans and a t-shirt get an instant dose of chic when worn with the reverse; a thin, long animal print scarf with a tribal inspired bag. It’s hard to go wrong when print mixing with accessories, just remember to keep your jewelry simple and minimal.

The Big Leagues

After you’ve mastered mixing prints with your accessories, it’s time for the big leagues. A general rule of thumb when mixing prints in your apparel is to choose a color scheme to work with and stick with it. Having this one constant makes pairing two completely different prints a cinch since they now both have common ground.

You can even play around with wearing two different versions of the same print. The key to pulling this off is making sure that the prints in each piece differ significantly in size. A top with a small floral pattern is divine when paired with a full skirt with a large floral motif. The same is true when wearing stripes on stripes, plaid on plaid or virtually any other print.

However, when you’re being a fashion renegade and daring to unite prints that have been sworn enemies for decades such as stripes and plaid, make sure your prints are relatively the same size.There are some some prints that seem to go together no matter what. If you’re still a little hesitant to start mixing, dots and stripes and florals and stripes are typically beautiful together when both pieces have the same color scheme.

I personally love mixing linear prints. A thin striped button down paired with flat front hounds hounds tooth trousers is one of my favorite go-to looks when I need to pull together a corporate outfit that still reads fashion.

Your closet is already full of prints. Breathe new life into your wardrobe by stepping outside of the box and testing your skills as print mixologist. You are only limited by your own creativity when it comes to crafting fun new looks by marrying prints that you typically would not wear together. Once you start experimenting, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by the inner fashionista that emerges.