Prints and Personal Style: Which Prints and Textures are “You”?
Which prints are “you,” readers? We did a post a LONG time ago about how certain styles and patterns just feel intrinsically wrong — and it feels like a good time to revisit that conversation as we all are peering into our wardrobes trying to figure out what stays and goes in this strange new world.
We’ve talked about your personal style, mixing textures and prints, and even how to get started wearing patterns, but not in a long while.
Some questions: Which patterns and prints do you ALWAYS buy? Some options: Polka dots, animal prints, paisley, flowers, windowpane, plaid, buffalo check, stripes, diagonal stripes, gingham, camo, repeating quirky patterns (think pineapples or skulls), etc. Which patterns and prints will you NEVER buy (or have bought and never WEAR)? Has this changed with age or something external (such as office culture or participation in a hobby like golf), or have you just, well, never been a gingham girl or whatnot?
Personally, I am always drawn to buffalo check, Black Watch plaid, vertical or diagonal stripes, and repeating quirky patterns. Tie-dyes and ombrés often call my name as well. I also sometimes like a GOOD paisley or similarly busy patterns, but I feel like brand matters here, as well as where you plan to wear it… I like many Lilly Pulitzer patterns for weekends, and hate many Kohl's-type patterns for workwear. I would not think that I was a camo person, but I have a few pairs of pants/shorts that have proven really versatile. (I always did think olive pants were an unsung work wardrobe workhorse — the colors go well with navy, black, and purple tops.)
As for what prints are NOT my personal style — I keep buying polka dots but I'm not sure they’re “me.” I’m a bit undecided on animal prints right now — I never shied away from them when I was younger but something about my current situation make animal prints, on me, feel less “delightfully quirky” and more “sad middle-aged lady.”
I’m almost never a floral person — any kind of floral pattern just isn’t for me. I don’t have anything against windowpanes, gingham, or other patterns you might find on a Brooks Brothers tie table… but I also don’t have a ton of them in my wardrobe at the moment.
I suppose this conversation could also extend to textures — fisherman knits, cable knits, fluffy sweaters, nubby knits like bouclé, leather/faux leather, fur/faux-fur details, slub jersey, matte jersey, corduroy, velvet, linen, seersucker, pique/textured cotton, etc. Are there textures you won’t wear due to personal style? (On the flip side, are there textures you love to pair together?)
I must admit I’d have to truly love a fluffy sweater or a thick knit like bouclé to wear it, and I’m not much for any shiny texture or fur/faux-fur detail. Leather or leather details I don’t mind, but I am pretty particular about where they're placed and what the effect is.
How about you, readers — what prints do you think align best with your personal style? How about textures? What prints and textures do you NOT wear due to personal style? (Bonus question: are you someone who's mastered how to mix and layer prints and textures well? Do you do it often or is it more for dress up?)
Some of the Best Prints for Workwear to Consider Right Now
I took a quick swing around to look at what prints are on the market right now at big stores like Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Boden, J.Crew Factory, MMLF, and more — here are some of the best dresses in prints:
And these are some of the best tops for work with prints:
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / stetsik.
LOVE animal patterns (not like leopard prints, but patterns of whole animals), and frequently like florals and geometric prints. I also do like some of the more modern/abstract animal prints. Never paisley, and rarely polka dots.
Example of what I mean by “animal pattern”: https://www.anntaylor.com/cat-matte-jersey-wrap-dress/565249?skuId=31327596&defaultColor=1362&catid=cata000012&selectedColor=1362
Between my favorite style (wrap dress) and the fact that I am a new (and newly obsessed) cat owner, I bought that one so fast. Plan to wear with some navy patent mary jane heels or some nude pointed heels once we are back in the office. I *hope* I am on the right side of tasteful v. tacky.
I wear leopard print frequently.
Usually one piece at a time (a shoe, belt, etc), but still. It’s a frequent occurance.
But not in a Married to the Mob tacky RHONJ way, I swear. I swear!
Or Peg Bundy
Hahaha, correct, no Peg Bundy look here!
I have, like, at least a dozen Breton striped tops in my closet — long sleeves, short sleeves, different colors, different weights, and I can’t stop buying them! In my defense, they all get worn! I also have a good amount of gingham and tartan. And I love polka dots but more for accessories. Oh, and leopard-is-a-neutral 4evah! Not many florals although I am wearing a summery floral top today.
And yes, I mix them. I especially like leopard with similar-size polka dots.
My friends tease me about my over-fondness for Breton stripes, LOL
Patterns I’ll wear:
– Some animal prints, but not in traditional leopard colors (I look awful in tan or yellow!)
– Horizontal stripes
– Polka dots, but only mid-size white dots on black, navy, or red background
– Abstract or geometric prints, mostly in black & white
Patterns I won’t wear:
– Florals
– Vertical stripes
– Gingham
I love leopard and snakeskin prints for shoes. On clothing I stick to mostly solids, though I have a few printed blouses (small abstract geometrics or florals preferred).
Things I love:
-Polka dots (in moderation, and usually in sedate colors like navy or black)
-Houndstooth-like patterns
-Horizontal stripes (breton tops)
-Gingham, although I don’t buy it very often (I had a blue gingham blouse in high school that I oddly felt like a million bucks in)
-Cable or fisherman knits (honestly give me ALL the cable)
-Tweed or boucle
Things that are Not Me:
-Animal prints
-Camo
-Striped bottoms
-Leather or fur
-Jersey, at least for work
I don’t hate florals, but I’m never drawn to them. I LOVE velvet, but I’m also cheap. Ha!
I like polka-dots and geometric prints, but I mostly wear solids.
I rarely wear plaids, and never wear animal prints. Growing up, both were common in a very tacky way. Now I see these done wonderfully by others, but can’t quite pull it off myself.
I feel that way about leopard and snakeskin. I feel like I can’t pull them off as someone who was in early teens in a bon Jovi and g n r era!
I like florals – but not small florals. Medium or big flowers – I’m thinking J Crew or Marimekko-style.
Stripes. My grandparents have amazing vintage photos of sailing in New England and the Breton shirts are just so my style. I don’t really wear prints otherwise.
I’m pretty girly/preppy, so I love a good small floral, gingham or Breton stripe.
Oh and in addition, I will never in a million years wear an animal print unless it’s an accessory (I have a pair of leopard flats I love.)
I am a magpie. Prints? Stripes? Patterns? Textures? Plaid? Jacquard? Pineapples? Rickrack? Camo? Camo in non-camo colors? Velvet? Stingray? Yes, please. All of the above. I feel like more is more and someone not used to it might need a stiff drink to deal with the visual onslaught.
It took me decades to even own something that wasn’t a solid! I need to learn from you. I just started to be edgy and wear two navy and white microdots together.
I love stripes, plaids, and florals. I prefer thin stripes and smaller floral prints.
I don’t do animal print at all, save for maybe a snakeskin accent on a shoe. But I’d never go full pattern. Paisleys aren’t my jam, and polka dots are too twee for my personality.
I own literally no prints. I only wear solid colors. Busy fabric jerks the eye around and gives me a headache. It may be a non-neurotypical thing.
I need medium sized prints to be in proportion with my own high color contrasts. Small prints wash me out (they look marled) and big prints overwhelm me. I like medium texture as well, so Donegal tweed but not Aran knits, medium sized Breton stripes, not pencil stripes, everything in medium: not too shiny, not too coarse, not too flowy, not too cute etc.
I will wear:
horisontal or diagonal stripes
medium size dots
tweed, especially with Donegal dots
medium sized flowers
dramatic, colorful flowers
houndstooth
medium sized Prince of Wales checks, tartan or similar (prefer Ralph Lauren colors to red/green)
I will not wear:
vertical stripes
small print flowers
small dots
geometric prints, especially triangles
wallpaper flowers (like William Morris)
gingham
animal print clothing, exception for shoes
high contrast collars
colorblock
Animal (leopard/ tiger/ girraffe/ snakeskin/ croc) in accessories- shoes/belt/ hair accessory.
Modern florals (so blobby florals, like Marimekko, some that Boden has sometimes)- as much as possible in tops.
“novelty prints” for example a print of an animal or a bird (Modcloth has these often)- so long as it is not childish animal drawing, or like dinosaurs.
Subtle plaid (more like texture or tonal)
I will wear stripes rarely, mostly just black and white or navy and white tops in “Breton” style.
I will wear very small more realistic floral prints, but only if the garment has a more butch or modern style, or I wear it with other stuff like that. (So not a ruffle floral print dress for work, but maybe a simple floral blouse under a pant suit.)
I keep buying polka dots, and then putting them on and feeling like a literal clown, so I guess that is a no. Pin-dots are more doable.
I wear some prints but I really can’t stand animal prints. They seem a bit too Real Housewives of New Jersey for this west coaster.