When Roberto Cavalli, Basso & Brooke and (unsurprisingly, of course) Anna Sui merged the most clashing of prints on their Spring 2012 runways, even the least cookie-cutter campus chic collegiette was intimidated. Styling something a little crazy for class isn’t the easiest feat to accomplish, but summer is the perfect time to try new things and pushing your personal style to the limit is no exception! Her Campus has some tips and tricks to put together even the most jarring of patterns, so you’ll be mixing a lot more than cocktails this summer!
Flower Power
Have florals ever left our closets? Season to season, they make it back into our wardrobes and typically give off a whimsical vibe. Counter that this season by pairing your favorite floral piece with another bold pattern — large florals are easiest to work with, because a smaller print mixed with another pattern can make the outfit as a whole look messy. If you insist on wearing tiny flowers, pair the pattern with an almost exaggeratedly large one so the whole look isn’t so jumbled. Stripes work best with all florals because it’s a clean pattern that won’t muddle all your pieces together. If you’re going with a long pant, wear vertical stripes to lengthen the legs, but a pair of shorts can take stripes in all different directions. Keep the look clean with a plain white tee underneath a floral blazer, or make it casual with your favorite white vintage tee.
Get The Look:
Pim + Larkin Floral Blazer, $60, Piperlime
Starboard Stripes Shorts, $32.99, ModCloth.com
Steve Madden Eltonn Loafers, $39.90, Zappos.com
Cathi Clutch, $39, Bakers Shoes
Wonder Woman Vintage Inspired Tee, $28, Junk Food Clothing
All Wrapped Up
Scarves aren’t the pieces that boast fun patterns anymore! We’ve taken the concept to other articles of clothing — from top to bottom, we can be adorned in our favorite prints. The scarf print is surprisingly easy to work with — even if you’re getting really clashy, so long as you stay within the same genre (if you’re wearing a Moroccan-inspired bottom, go for a similarly-informed top), your outfit will make sense. If you’re going for a completely different era, such as regal beachy bottoms to Aztec top, keep one pattern subdued so one — and only one — is the it-piece of the collection.
Get The Look:
Aztec Embellished Shell Top, $76, Topshop
River Island Palm Scarf Print Jean, $70, Asos.com
Scallop Edge Satchel, $35, Asos.com
Melissa Wind Sandal, $33, Endless.com
