WEARING PRINTS FOR CURVY GIRLS…

So you’ve seen the prints in store and heard the term ‘print clash’ thrown around but does the thought of wearing print make you break out in a cold sweat? Wearing prints can feel risky…even intimidating. Once you master the art of wearing print and print clashing the potential for extra outfits in your wardrobe will increase…who doesn’t want that?!

I know, it can be intimidating especially if you’ve followed ‘rules’ and step out in dark solid colours on a regular basis believing they are going to make you appear smaller. Have you ever noticed that wearing a plain black pant can still highlight your lumps n bumps? Ladies let’s aim to look curvalicious and not frumpy.

I’m not ashamed of my curves (not even a little) but I do want to present my body in the best possible light…because that’s what gives me my confidence. If I feel confident them it’s easy for me to flash a winning smile and get on with my day but if I’m worried about my lumps n bumps it seems to override my day…are you the same?

Wearing print is about balancing out your proportions, print  can visually deceive the eye and instead of the eye falling on the bits you don’t want lit up like a neon sign it just keeps travelling. Prints are clever like that, I like to call it ‘smoke n mirrors because it’s like magic.

So now you’re asking “how do I look stylish in print instead of like bobo the clown?” Personally I tend to wear one major item with print and the rest plain but I will happily add a clashing or complimentary print in a scarf or shoes. It’s all about personal preference, body shape and the occasion…here’s my guide, remember ladies it’s a guide and there’s no rules set in stone.

WEAR WHAT SUITS YOUR MOOD. If you are feeling full of life and have a bold personality then embrace that bold print sista, alternatively if you are introverted it’s perfectly ok to stick with softer print…be authentic to you.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE BOBO THE CLOWN REMOVE ONE PIECE. Always check your look in a full length mirror and if unsure take a selfie on the phone, looking at a photo is a great tool. Unsure?…remove one piece. No one needs to look like their wardrobe vomited on them.

USE BLOCK COLOUR TO SETTLE A PRINT. Sometimes adding a plain tee or blazer can really settle a print and pull an outfit together. Pull a colour from the print and run with that or add a grey tee or off white tee (perfect neutrals). For evening black can really lift a print and make it pop, black also loves brights and neons. Don’t feel you need to wear print all over.

KNOW YOUR VERY BEST COLOURS. If print or pattern is near your face make sure it is in a complementary colour, or add a scarf or statement necklace to break up the print. Understanding your best colours means you will mostly only ever purchase pieces in these colours, of course there are exceptions and this is where your accessories come into their own.

MATCH YOUR PRINT TO THE GARMENT SHAPE. Structured pieces love a geometric print and flowy pieces like a maxi dress just love a ‘movement’ print…think watermark with soft borders that blend into each other.

SCALE IS IMPORTANT. Mix a large-scale print with a smaller scale one, wearing two prints of equal size will overwhelm your frame. When adding accessories scale is important too, if you are petite a fine pendant will sit beautifully. Larger frames wear larger accessories well…or you can wear finer accessories but stack them.

WORK IN MONOCHROME. I love dressing in monochrome…that’s using the same colour in different shades and tones. Dressing in monochrome can soften the impact of a print.

WEAR THE SAME PRINT. Try mixing your leopards or even better mix your animal prints… Ocelot and zebra. Moving a large polka dot with a smaller polka dot in another piece tells a story or try horizontal stripes with vertical stripes or stripes and polka.

There you have it, a starters guide to wearing print…take it slow and think about the overall look you are aiming for, oh and have fun!

Til next time,

Jen x