Print-mixing can feel risky, but with a few guiding rules you can turn patterned pieces into intentional, wearable combinations. This guide focuses on proportion, color linking, texture, and anchor pieces, with concrete outfit ideas you can try now. Think of prints as elements in a visual conversation — when they share a language, the result reads polished instead of cluttered.
Start with a strong anchor
Choose one piece to ground the outfit: a solid-colored dress, neutral blazer, or a textured knit. Anchors simplify print combinations by giving the eye a place to rest. For example, pair the Black Ribbed Midi Tank Dress with a patterned scarf and printed sandals; the ribbed texture reads as a neutral base while keeping the look layered and tactile.
Use solids strategically when you’re mixing multiple prints. A neutral anchor like the Black Ribbed Midi Tank Dress works well with a boldly printed jacket or cardigan, or you can wear it under a printed slip skirt. The anchor doesn’t have to be plain — subtle texture or ribbing keeps interest without competing with pattern.
Link colors, not necessarily patterns
When combining different prints, pick a shared color to create cohesion. For instance, if you have a navy-and-white stripe, a floral with navy accents, and a small polka dot with navy flecks, the recurring navy ties the outfit together. This technique makes disparate motifs look intentional rather than accidental.
Try color echoes in accessories: a printed skirt with small blue florals pairs beautifully with the Blue Off The Shoulder Tiered Midi Dress layered under a lightweight denim jacket, or swap the dress for a solid top in the same blue to echo hues. Even a belt or shoe in a matching color can help unify patterns.
Mix scales and keep one print dominant
Contrast large-scale patterns with smaller-scale prints to avoid visual competition. If you wear a large floral blouse, pair it with a narrow striped pant or a micro-check skirt. The eye recognizes hierarchy quickly, so let the bolder print be the focal point while the smaller pattern supports it.
Create balance in a full outfit by repeating a motif at different scales. For example, a broad floral midi skirt can be paired with a thin-striped blouse and a tiny geometric scarf. Keep accessories minimal if two prints are already in play — a simple bag and neutral shoes will finish the look without adding noise.
Use texture and proportion to refine combinations
Texture can act like a neutral. A ribbed knit, like the Black Ribbed Midi Tank Dress, or the smocked tiers of the Blue Off The Shoulder Tiered Midi Dress add depth that complements prints instead of clashing. Textured solids soften transitions between patterns by introducing a third visual element.
Proportion matters: cropped tops with high-waist printed skirts, or longline blazers over printed dresses, change how prints read. For a modern daytime outfit try a printed midi skirt with a cropped denim jacket and ankle boots; for evening, anchor a printed slip with the Black Ribbed Midi Tank Dress layered over it as a sleek top layer, keeping jewelry minimal to let the patterns breathe.
Mixing prints confidently is about rules you can bend: anchor with a solid, echo color, vary scale, and use texture to smooth transitions. Start small, try one rule at a time, and you’ll soon have combinations that feel deliberate and stylish.
A few pieces to make it yours.
Related catalog pieces, not the exact items in our editorial photographs.
