After months of dreary grey days and reclusive couch-bound nights, May (theoretically) marks the end of cloistered cold weather behavior. With a bevy of events beckoning us to venture outdoors this month (Kentucky Derby-themed parties, Victoria Day long weekend, a simple sojourn in the park), the time to fold up our thick monochrome knits and dust off our favourite brightly patterned pieces has at last arrived.
Stripes, florals, geometrics, spots, swirls – the spring runways were chock-full of every imaginable print under the sun, with a range of eye-popping visuals whipped up into a designer frenzy. Edun’s collection showcased a multitude of bold black and white checks, while Oscar de la Renta playfully paired polka dots and retro-hued florals. The gingham at Stella Jean was matched with stripes of wildly varying weights, and, at Rachel Comey, marble swirled separates were worn in tandem to striking effect.
Florals + Stripes
Surf Skirt in Cove Floral, J.Crew $148
Gilles Striped Cotton Top, Elizabeth and James, $147.50
When endeavoring to concoct your own print-on-print ensembles, there are a few combinations that without fail seem to result in the perfect Solange-worthy outfit. Dainty florals and soft stripes both exude that ladylike-yet-laidback quality, which makes them quintessential counterparts (go for a colourful flowery print and neutral stripe to maximize the contrasting nature of your look).
Nautical + Scarf
Nautical Stripe Top, MICHAEL Michael Kors, $166.63
Scarf Print Tapered Ankle Pant, White House Black Market, $120
Another savvy stripe combination to test out is a nautical style paired with a scarf print (the key being to ensure they are in similar colour families with matching whites). Other traditional preppy fabrics – like madras, especially in desaturated shades – are excellent for balancing out futuristic, technicolour patterns.
Animal + Animal
MARY JANE Blouse, YOOX, $95
Zebra Maze-Print Skirt, Tibi, $215
When it comes to simultaneously sporting two types of animal prints, subvert the Vegas factor by keeping one piece subtle in an earthy palette and juxtaposing it with a bolder, more artful iteration. Or, if your pattern preference leans towards the textured persuasion, a nubby tweed can be ideally offset by a sheer printed number.
So shrug off that monotonous sartorial inertia and get ready to embrace the season’s brilliant bursts of colour, ornate geometric shapes, and sepia-saturated blooms. Spring’s attention-grabbing patterns are here to play!
What bold patterns will you be playing with this summer? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
