We all know bold, bright and busy prints and patterns make one of the most popular fashion trends of today. Be them psychedelic marble prints, tie dye, ethnic prints, tribal-inspired ones, geometrical ones or featuring all possible stripes, patterns took the runways by a storm. The noisy and busy agglomeration of colours is, however, tricky – when does accessorizing become too much? How can we match prints and colour cocktails with the right jewellery to achieve a composed and harmonious look?
Today we will focus on some accessorising tips and tricks to turn busy patterns into veritable fashion staples together with their lovely accessories.
1. Metal accessories work every time
The easiest way out for you to style up a busy print is to go for simple and stylish metallic accessories and pearl jewellery. Golden, silver, brass and anything in between work extremely well with all prints and patterns and all outfits. Online, you can find chunky silver rings for women that look great with any outfit. Pearls on the other hand, if white, can tone down a busy print turning it into a symbol of femininity and class. You might want to learn a few rules of stacking metallic bracelets in case you wear a printed strapless dress.
2. Pull out a colour from the print and work your way around it
Some of the best prints and patterns come in bold colours and intricate designs. One of the top fashion items that dominated the runways in the last years is the boho-inspired Bardot dress featuring an off-shoulder cut, flared sleeves and sheer fabrics in natural and gorgeous colours and prints. If you want to style up such a dress (or a flowery summer dress, a patterned suit, and a noisily printed casual outfit), pick a colour from the pattern and use it to accessorize: necklace and ring, shoes and purse, headband and bracelet and so on.
3. Consider the pattern as being colour-blocked
This is a little harder to achieve, but not impossible. Think about a white/black printed dress – doesn’t it work amazingly with red accents? How about a green/pink flowery printed dress? Doesn’t it look awesome in a mix with coral accessories? If you want to accessorize a busy outfit, remember, however, that less is more: don’t feature the two chosen colours from the print on more than two different accessories types. You can play with bracelets and necklaces, shoes or purse, but make sure you also sport a neutral piece to tone everything down.
4. When in doubt… wear nude
There are a dozen and more nude shoes and purses, and it is a true art to find the perfect nude pumps to harmonize and pull together a busy patterned outfit. The first rule when choosing nude pumps, sandals or ballet flat shoes is to match your skin tone to the nude shade. In summer, make sure you don’t forget about your beautiful tanned skin when you go nudes shopping.
A matching nude purse, while considered old-school, creates the perfect environment for your lovely bold printed dress to stand out of the crowd without overwhelming your accessories. If you want to also wear jewellery, white, ivory, champagne or soft pink pearls will match your skin tone and allow you to look highly sophisticated without looking too flashy.
5. Keep it simple
A busy pattern is not the best canvas to paint with statement or chunky accessories. The noisier the colour gathering, the less recommended it is to pile up coloured massive necklaces, bracelets or rings. The key words are harmony and simplicity – timeless diamond studs or pearl studs, a refined metal pendant necklace, and a simple bangle bracelet are enough to look stylish and elegant.
6. Dress up the top or the bottom
If your busy pattern is gathered below your waist, you might want to wear a monochrome top and style up with a necklace or earrings matching one colour in the pattern. If you wear a head-to-toe print, tone it down with a denim jacket – a timeless piece working great with any outfit – or a crocheted shawl or poncho in a neutral shade. If you pattern/print is crowded above your waist, go for a symmetrical look and pair one colour from the print with your shoes to achieve unity.
These are just a few tips on how to accessorize a busy and bold print. Don’t forget that denim and nude accessories match everything, and you can always find inspiration in simplicity.
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