Prints that stop you from buying - Does this happen to you?

Anonymous

There are some printed garments that I can't buy because of the associations I have with the prints. For example...

This top reminds me of vintage Corelle dinnerware:
http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=P

and there was one at Modcloth (I can't find it now; it must have sold out) that looked like the upholstery on my living room sofa.

I know Scarlett O'Hara (Gone with the Wind novel) made a dress out of drapes, but...

9 years ago

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from Flytigress

Gaylene

Veteran

You mean like this J crew top? It reminds me of the polyester tops worn by so many of my mother's friends when she was in her assisted living apartment--usually worn with matching polyester green or black bottoms. It might look like a fun retro piece on a smooth-skinned young woman in distressed denim, but, on someone with greying hair and wrinkles, hmm, not so much....?

And that top is eerily like a Corelle piece...

J.Crew

Retro floral popover

$98.00 $69.98

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9 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, that's what I'm talking about.

9 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Why yes...I am very very picky about prints for various reasons, not the least of which is associations with people/things. And I tire of them so easily too, much faster than a non-printed garment.

9 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

So you're saying you wouldn't be a regular reader of Southern Livings, "Turn This China Pattern Into An Outfit" column? Yes, this really exists: http://thedailysouth.southernl.....an-outfit/
I can't think of a time when I'be avoided a print for the reason you suggest, but I think that's mostly because I love prints. For example, I would totally wear that Jcrew top! I take that back. I like ethnic prints, but I often avoid them out of fear of dressing like a crazy anthropologist.

9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

yes. I'm pretty picky about my prints and a lot of garments will remind me of something else. Sometimes I will choose to go with a self consciously retro or quirky print but as I get older I increasingly find those items difficult to style.

Meredith, that Southern Living article is a riot. Reminds me of the Vivienne Files that she does where you build an outfit based on a work of art.

9 years ago

karymk

Veteran

LOL!!

9 years ago

deb

Veteran

I probably should never wear paisley but I love it. I wore it in the 70's and would wear it again in a heartbeat. Oh, and it is great on my sofa, on pillows, draperies, well, you get the picture.

9 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Oh! Laughing at the Southern Living article! Prints are definitely tough. You never know how your print will be perceived by someone else! One person's table cloth is another person's beautiful paisley. I have always preferred wearing solids. When I had my colors done, the consultant recommended that I stick mostly to solids and any prints be small, low contrast, and fairly uniform.

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Ten years ago I had a skirt my Oma made out of a rest of fabric she had lying around. It was a beautiful fabric with a beautiful pattern and when I sat in their living room my bottom half matched the curtains behind me.

I can definitely say I have some associations with certain prints that keep me from buying them, for example Vichy pattern. I like it for curtains, bed linens and table cloths, but I don't like to wear it.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I love prints as much or more as the next person, but not when the print reminds me of a commonly known object such as Corelle dinnerware. I defintely don't want to dress like my couch, either. I live in the South, and it doesn't surprise me that Southern Living has an article like that. As much as I like my outfits to have a more individual touch, certain prints just go too far. I think it's rather interesting, and I don't know why I react the way I do to certain prints.

9 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Yup, since I'm in my 60s like Gaylene, those prints that have *old lady* associations are totally off my list. A couple of decades ago I wouldn't have given them a thought, but I'm at the point where I don't think anyone would see me as wearing them ironically.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Uh no... but now that you say this... lol

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

ha ha! Corelle ware or Corelle wear?

I don't wear camouflage prints. As a lover of diffuse abstract prints, I wear things that come awfully close, but not the ones that are the same print shape as what I wore during my Army career.

9 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

You made me laugh--as a former Corelle owner.

I swear my Mom had a dance club dress she made out of drapery or upholstery material. I wish i had a photo of it.

I have problems with most prints, but once in a while I see one that I fall hard for. Better to limit most prints to scarves or summer tops.

9 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Haha! I like that pattern of Corelle and probably would wear it. But I don't do paisley or camo.

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Yes...

I struggle with plaid/tartan after wearing them as a school uniform for five years. In particular black watch tartan.

I also would not wear camo, not that I have been in the military. It just does not feel like me.

9 years ago

Summer

Veteran

Nothing springs to mind, but I love Staysfit's reply: "One person's table cloth is another person's table cloth" - so true!

9 years ago

Anonymous

For your inspiration (or not. lol)...

Corelle patterns:

http://www.corellecorner.com/c.....files.html

Pyrex pattern reference:

http://www.pyrexlove.com/vinta.....ern-guide/

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Now that others have mentioned it, I wouldn't want to wear camo either.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I usually do not wear prints, but I would never wear a floral print. Reminds me of the hideous pansy wallpaper that was on my bedroom wall when I was a child. I always thought those pansies were staring at me.

9 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Ah yes. Not so much because they remind me of particular items from my past, but because they look like they could be patterns for tablecloths, sofas, etc.

I find myself avoiding some "ethnic" prints for fear of cultural misappropriation. In south London I see women wearing all sorts of amazing colorful dresses but I'd feel like I was somehow inappropriate if I wore one, for instance.

9 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Based on comments from my husband who doesn't notice much clothes-wise, I think guys can have a poison eye for certain prints, namely ones that look like the upholstery they grew up with and large gingham due to its association with tablecloths. Corelle? Only if they had it in their home or the home of friends/relatives they visited often.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I think most people would recognize that particular Corelle pattern. It was everywhere. My DH would likely say something like, "You look like you're wearing my mom's plates."

9 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oh yes, there are many patterns that bring to mind drapes, tablecloths, little girls' bedspreads, English wallpaper, Chintz living room upholstery, or Little House on the Prairie costumes. Not good. I am also cautious with lace, because of the associations with tabletop doilies. A lace garment only works, to my eye, if it does not look like undergarments or a doily gone wrong.

9 years ago

Flytigress

Active Member

I dislike polka dots, plaid, checks, houndstooth, and paisley.

9 years ago

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