Are There Any Rules To Print Mixing?

I participate in a social media blogger’s group designed to support one another and collaborate. I accepted the May hat challenge with a fascinator in honor of the royal wedding. The June challenge is “Age Over Style or Rule Breakers.” I chose to be a rule breaker by pattern clashing. In fact, let’s examine whether there are any rules to print mixing.

You know, some clothing items women of a certain age get backlash for wearing. Pieces like two-piece bathing suits, shorts, jumpsuits, mini and tulle skirts, to name a few. I wore a jumpsuit to a New York City virtual friendship MeetUp this year. I wore a tulle skirt last summer and again here when I talked about bladder control. So there!

The best quote I heard regarding clothing and older women was in The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior, published in 1954: “I have said before that there need to be no old women. There are only women who are older than others.” This quote is also my philosophy.

Today, instead of challenging a piece of clothing, I took on the print mixing trend, breaking all the rules about pattern mixing. The old-fashioned rules say, “Don’t mix your prints,” right up there with not wearing white to a wedding (unless it’s a royal wedding) or wearing white after Labor Day.

Thank God we are no longer slaves to our clothing. We break and make the rules. Right! In fact, according to all social media sources, print clashing is positively encouraging. Fellow blogger Jodie’s Touch of Style tackled just this April 2016 with the theme of black and white.

One thing about this trend is that there is no need to go out and purchase something new. The best looks are already in your closet, just waiting for the pairing. Just start mixing and matching; you’ll be surprised at the results. You know practice makes perfect.

The leopard print, now considered neutral, is a great way to get your print mixing game on point. Staying in the same color family works, too, for print on print. Here is a list of possibilities for mixing and matching; there are no rules, just some suggestions:

♦  Stripes All Over
◊ Vertical Candy Stripes
♦  Checks and Tartan Mixes
◊  Soft Floral Prints
♦  The 60s Florals
◊  Micro Florals
♦  Slogan Prints
◊  Black and White Polka Dots
♦  Rainbow Patterns
◊ Animal Patterns
♦  Cartoon Prints
◊  Mixed Bouquet
♦  Tropical Prints
◊  Art-Inspired Prints
♦  Bold Abstract Prints
◊  Pop Culture Prints

Here’s what the other bloggers, Nina, Lori, Julie, and Robin, chose for the Age Over Style June Challenge. I was the only rule-breaker, so it’s no surprise here. I’m never one to be matchy-matchy, so I loved this challenge.

Check out the collage of the other Bloggers and hop on over to their blog for a better view of their collab post:
◊  Sharing A Journey: Nina rocking an off-the-shoulder look.
◊  Fashion Trends and Friends: Lori and Julie, sporting shorts
◊  Hello, I’m 50ish: Robin, in a two-piece bathing suit.
◊ Over the Hilda, Hilda, donning a two-piece bikini

Stay tuned for the following style collaboration. As far as print mixing, I say no rules apply. Have you tried print mixing? If yes? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Thank you for reading! Have a fabulous week!