Print-mixing can seem daunting, especially when the results end up looking busy and wild. This was the exact reason, however, that once made me a huge fan of the styling technique. I loved to challenge style norms in the most outlandish ways. While I still enjoy pushing the boundaries with unexpected pairings of clothes, my tastes have become slightly more sophisticated. Coming across the Temperley London spring 2015 show made me rediscover my love for print-mixing, while making me also realize that it can be done tastefully.
Alice Temperley cleverly designed her clothes so that lacy cutouts and embroideries looked just like two-dimensional prints until scrutinized. She also used textured fabrics to represent various patterns. A few of the looks she sent out featured silky and gauzy stripes in juxtaposition, and others featured vertical and horizontal stripes paired together. Truly inspired by the innovative use of stripes, I decided to take on the show’s print-mixing.
Sporting a slinky, silk blend shirt with an asymmetrical fitted dress, I tried to channel the show via the patterns and the silhouettes. I kept within the neutral palette and wrapped up the look with black leggings and boots. To add a slight pop of color, I went for a petal pink on the nails, which also acted as a nod to the show’s intermittent use of pastels.
I love how fashion is so cyclical; it allowed me to revisit print-mixing, something I used to enjoy so much. I am now ready to re-approach patterns, but in a more mature manner.
Get My Look: 1. A silky striped shirt. 2. A dress in an opposite striped print. 3. Some pastel nail polish.
