Minggu, 18 Maret 2012

Pretty in Prints


Prints are the easiest way to update your wardrobe for Spring/Summer 2012

Pretty in Prints

From retro florals to
ultra-modern graphic designs, prints are the easiest way to update your
wardrobe for Spring/Summer 2012,
and with big name designer collaborations hitting the high street in the form
of Marni for H&M and Mary Katrantzou
for Topshop, high fashion prints are now affordable to all. Here's our
guide to the pick of the prints…

It's no surprise to see florals making a splash on the catwalks for
spring, but this time around they've been given a sexy retro twist courtesy of
50s styling at Dolce and Gabbana, and 70s detailing at Valentino and Rodarte.
Whilst English country garden inspired blooms were the dominant theme, and
added a beautifully feminine slant to sophisticated tailoring, a clutch of
designers such as Dior and Alexander Wang offered a more restrained alternative
with neat black and white floral prints that could easily be adapted for work
wear.

Wear the look head to toe with a
structured dress or matching separates, and keep accessories simple with
neutral shades alongside brighter florals, or a pop of bright colour if you opt
for a monochrome print. Banana Republic
and Zara are both great places to visit for a wearable take on catwalk florals,
or if you're a fan of vintage shopping this is the perfect trend to indulge
your love of the old and hunt out original floral print 70s maxi dresses or 50s
flared skirts to ensure your outfit is one of a kind.

One print that made a surprise comeback on the catwalks this season was
paisley, a traditional folk print most associated with the 70s, but often
revisited by designers who are keen to put their own modern spin on the
pattern. Leading the paisley pack were
Jil Sander, with bold colour combinations and sleek silhouettes that brought the
print bang up to date, and Stella McCartney, who offered up striking pyjama
style suits in fluid silk paisley fabric which looked both chic and
wonderfully comfortable.

An all over paisley look is not
for the fashion shy, so keep colours muted and shapes simple to avoid being
overwhelmed by the pattern. Accessories can also be a great way to introduce
prints to your wardrobe, so if a paisley
dress or suit seems a little too daring try adding a printed silk scarf to your
outfit for a subtle nod to the trend, just be sure to pair it with modern
fabrics such as denim or leather to give it an edge that's more grungy than granny.

In sharp contrast to the soft
feminine florals and swirling paisley prints, a host of designers took their cue from African design this season and
showed collections that incorporated traditional African fabrics, tribal prints
and detailing such as beading, fringing and raffia work. Proenza Schouler
and Burberry Prorsum offered some of the best examples, combining rich earthy
tones with striking ethnic prints to create a look that's perfect for the
summer, whether you're headed on safari or just looking stylish in the city.

This can be a tricky look to pull
off without looking too 'crafty', but a structured jacket with a nipped in
waist, as seen at Burberry Prorsum, or an ethic print sun dress in shades of
brown and orange would be a great addition to any Spring/Summer 2012 wardrobe,
and will easily update your current pieces. Head to Monsoon or H&M to pick up a slice of tribal chic on a
budget.

One thing to remember when you're
choosing a print is proportion. If
you're worried about bold florals and busy geometric patterns adding unwanted
inches to your figure try to find a pattern that includes vertical lines,
such as some of the Aztec prints around, or in the case of florals, stick to a
smaller scale print and keep the colour palette muted. Those looking to create
curves should really go for it, and mix and match prints of different sizes and
colours to create an exciting clashing effect that's very fashion forward.

Whichever print you decide to go
for, this trend is likely to be the most
fun you'll have with your clothes on this summer!

Carrie Greene

Source: http://womentalking.co.uk/new//topics/fashion/pretty-prints/

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