How to wear…clashing prints

By Hannah Hughes For You Magazine

Published: 00:03 BST, 15 July 2018 | Updated: 00:03 BST, 15 July 2018

Florals, stripes, polka dots, checks…chances are your wardrobe is full of them, all hanging happily side by side on the rail. However, wearing them out – together – takes not just confidence but know-how.

The key to clashing prints – if you want the result to be more Carrie Bradshaw than Edina from Ab Fab – is balance: colours need to complement each other, creating a harmonious feel that pulls your look together (usually a recurring shade within the prints you pick).

The contrast of small and a large print always works well. The larger print will be the attention-grabber, so wear on an area you want to highlight.

If in doubt, stripes and florals are a winner, so grab your trusty Breton and tuck into a floral skirt or trousers.

Floral twist

Most of us own a floral dress, so this is the simplest place to start. A muted check jacket complements floral prints and adds another dimension without seeming too brash. Buy one size up for a more modern look.

Blazer, £169, massimodutti.com

Bag, £295, aspinaloflondon.com

Dress, £280, essentiel-antwerp.com

Plain crazy

If all-over print feels too overpowering then try clashing your lower half. As shoes are such a small percentage of your outfit you can afford to go with a full-on wild print contrast.

T-shirt, £55, wyselondon.co.uk

Shoes, £59, office.co.uk

Skirt, £18, tesco.com

Colour Collision

Shades that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel always work well together. To tone down the effect a little, choose a pale top with a print that picks out a colour from the trousers.