Lesson 5 of 10: Prints

The underutilized powerhouse of any great wardrobe - explain how to use them, what to look for and which prints do what for your power statement

Which Ones, How & When

First off – let’s be clear that prints are anything that isn’t a single-color solid so, technically, a two-color colorblock shirt is a print albeit not overly imaginative or groundbreaking.

Prints can be stripes, ethnic prints, animal, floral, abstract, and plaid to name the more popular ones. The factors to consider are deciding which ones work for you, knowing when to wear them, and how to put them to good use.

Which Ones?

The answer to which one will work best for you is grounded in your current wardrobe, your general lifestyle and likely some hidden style personality that no one knows about. Ask yourself: what are the most prevalent colors in your closet now, and what are your favorite colors (the ones that make you smile when you see them)? If the answer is two or three maximum (which is the case with most individuals) then you don’t have to limit yourself to any one pattern or print. If you find that you’ve got four or more than plaids, florals and abstracts are likely your best bet since they typically incorporate three or more colors in their prints.

Now let’s take a look at your general lifestyle factor – this is the easiest. If you lean toward the more conservative or are in a more formal work environment then the prints that will provide the smoothest transition for you are stripes and plaids (especially for men). On the other hand, if you’re in a more creative field, have less formality in your work environment, or have a more outgoing and people-centered disposition then florals, ethnic and animal prints can be added into your repertoire fairly easily.

The hidden aspect is difficult but there is guidance that can be offered to you. Sit quietly for 30 seconds and answer this question: who is the person whose style you love and admire but cannot mimic due to your own lifestyle or financial constraints? That person is akin to your “spirit animal” – and if you find that it’s someone way outside of your norm then that should tell you that you’re ready to move to a more expressive print or pattern. On the other hand, if the individual you identify with is more conservative, straight-laced, or ‘inside the bell curve” than you imagined, it tells you that you’ll likely do well not to venture to the creative side of prints.

When Can They Be Worn?

A print or pattern that contains at least two of the colors allows you to “bridge” the gap in what you’re wearing. If you are looking to keep it simple then wait until after-hours or the weekend to try a print and just pair it with a neutral like black, white or camel/tan, or with any color that is in the print you want to wear. Done!

How To Wear Prints

There are just three factors to consider to pull off a print successful. First – consider the colors contained in the print and opt to focus on just one or two to start. Second – wear the two different colors in different proportions (i.e., do a little more of one than the other). Last – if you wear more than one print, make sure the prints are different sizes so it doesn’t look like you’re trying to “match” them.

The big takeaway on prints besides all of the know-how provided above is that prints challenge you to step outside of your norm and oftentimes speak to your confidence level. It takes a trailblazer to wear plaid when everyone else is in solids and it takes a confident person to push the envelope on what black-and-white should look like. Imagine what that says to the person you’re trying to start a conversation with, or influence, or create a lasting impression.

Prints are powerhouses – use them with care!

Next up and closely related to prints are colors. They can add life to any look but also can be used as a way to draw attention away from or to a specific area. Colors are like real estate…it’s all about location.