Summer's prêt-a-print!

Thigh high slits, co-ord sets, faux fur and sandals with socks may all create quite a scare for the safe fashionista in you. But if there’s one trope that is especially daunting, it’s got to be pairing prints with prints. But spring is here, which means patterns must be put to full and exuberant effect. Stripes or dots, flowers or animal prints, here’s an entry-level print mixing class for you to get started with this season.
 
Material matters
If you’re taking notes on pattern mixing, textures are almighty. “Add a flowy blouse in fluid fabrics like georgette or mull cotton with a midi skirt made of a thicker fabric like handloom cotton or blended cotton. Remember, opposites usually work great together,” says Madhurima, taking a leaf out of her own fashion book.
 
Animal instinct
If animal prints are your thing, here’s some fab news. Now, instead of the sartorial tiger stripe or cheetah spot, you can don tiny prints of animals! “Prints of wild animals or birds paired with stripes is a definite hero piece,” says designer Shloka Sudhakar, who experimented with zebras and exotic birds for her Paradise collection at the recent Bangalore Fashion Week.

Print hacks
They can be combined with polka dots, animal prints, graphics or florals. The magic print this season has got to be stripes, your versatile bestie! “When mixed in monochrome, polka dots and stripes work great together. You can also add stripes on stripes – make sure that one pattern is much thinner than the other one,” says Madhurima. Like her, Shloka’s go-to outfit this season has got to be vertical stripes on black and white polka. Refreshing, we must say. “You can also mix florals or Aztec print leggings with striped tops,” adds Tariq.

Colour me clean
While there are no definite how-tos to rule this trend, for most designers the colour is the only variable. Here’s a tip: Opt for a similar base colour running through the outfit irrespective of the prints that you are popping together. “For beginners, pick a colour from the piece with the bolder print and add a top or a bottom with a small print in the same colour family,” suggests designer Madhurima Bhattacharjee.

Essentially, keeping the secondary piece in a neutral print — like polka dots or stripes, with white prevents the outfit from looking too busy. Designer Tariq Wari of Tonga Fashion House makes it simple: “If one part of the outfit is heavily printed, it’s usually best to pair it with a more subdued print in contrast colours.”