Prints - what do they say about my style preference? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Prints - what do they say about my style preference?

Anonymous

Just curious about this. I gravitate towards paisley, chevron, Ikat and watercolor with a definite preference for muted, blended colors. I don't particularly like stripes, I'm not into plaids, and I definitely don't like geometric prints. I don't know what that says about me.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

There are prints I love to look at but feel uncomfortable wearing, which was a bitter lesson I had to learn when I started sewing. Just because I like it in flat fabric form doesn't mean I'll like it when made into a garment, and vice versa.

As far as types of prints I both like and like to wear, I irrationally adore ikat, strengthened by the fact that I am a sucker for any kind of black/white or black/cream combo. In fact, I prefer two color prints much more than multicolored prints. I like geometrics, repeating patterns, narrow stripes (preferably with one of the colors a neutral) and plaid. I would wear some paisleys depending on the color scheme, and the same for florals, but they don't call to me like the others.

Isn't there something in that finding your style book that talks a lot about art, whose name is totally escaping me at the moment, about contrast and lines versus curves and how that feeds into what suits you?

Alassë

Veteran

The Triumph of Individual Style, I believe?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting!

I love paisley and intricate patterns, but I only wear them sparingly (scarves usually work nicely to satisfy this). I'm not huge on ikat or chevron on me, not sure why. I like geometrics but I'm very picky about them. I also love florals and watercolor type prints but again, I'm very choosy about them (too sweet and I don't like them, or if the colors are muddy or garish, again, no go). I love plaids and stripes IF the colors speak to me.

I have always been attracted to prints and patterns, but I'm not relying on them as much as I once did. I can't say I know what any of this means about ourselves or our style! My tastes are pretty eclectic.

Anonymous

I like certain florals, but I'm extremely picky. In regards to any print, I wear it sparingly and don't want it to look dated. Size of print matters, too. No huge flowers, for example. My absolute fav print is jacquard, where the print is there but it's all one color.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like prints, too, because whatever artistic side I may have loves to see how them as what designs prints and textiles come up with color combinations. And it's a great way to "marry" wardrobe items in different colors--so for me it might be a print with black; or if I have footwear in black or nude I'll look for a print that has a color but also one of the neutrals; or change seasonal looks by emphasizing either the dark or the light color in a print.

So, the prints you like are just who you are! Often but not always it'll match up with your coloring and contrast level.

Anonymous

Interesting way of putting it, unfrumped. I agree that my preference in print colors lines up with my coloring and contrast level. I just don't know how these prints feed into who I am. I read about this stuff, and never seem to fit neatly into the style category to which the prints I like belong.

DonnaF

Veteran

bettycrocker; I wouldn't worry about style category; just rejoice that you recognize what you like and don't like! No sense in buying an item that fits and flatters but becomes a closet orphan because you just don't feel comfortable or joy in the type of print/pattern.

FWIW, I gravitate to those prints that DON'T speak to you! No watercolor prints whatsoever. I MIGHT consider an ikat print. Black & white (and white & black) polka dots tend to sucker me in. Every time.

How do you feel about animal prints? Zebra? Cheetah? Leopard? Snow leopard? Dalmatian? Snake?

Anonymous

I'm not too much of an animal print person. I can take it in very small doses only. Snake is my favorite, followed by leopard.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

From your preferences, I would say you prefer low contrast prints.

Anonymous

Yes, low contrast is a definite preference of mine.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Not exactly sure what your pattern preferences say about you, other than that you are pretty much the exact opposite of me! When it comes to pattern, I don't wear a lot, but if I do it's pretty much either stripes or plaid. I have never in my life owned any of the patterns you like! I think I would probably wear a chevron pattern, though, because it's basically a type of stripe. Also, you didn't mention floral, and in the past I have owned some of those. I like both bold, high-contrast prints as well as low-contrast, but for me the key is straight lines (the odd floral print notwithstanding). I shy away from anything that looks too arty, bohemian or feminine. I like prints that cross over with menswear. So maybe that's what your prints say about you -- that you like arty and bohemian looks? That you are a feminine dresser?

Deb

Veteran

Sounds like you prefer a more subdued aesthetic. I can relate. Preferring to live and dress mostly, but not exclusively, with more subdued, earthy colours and minimal patterns. I love the prints you described for interior design but never wear them. I wear an occasional stripe, geometric and animal print, rarely wear floral and own one small patterned, barely there plaid pant and a jacket. Each to their own....you don't need to be the same as others. It makes more sense to me to have your own style, be an individual, and not a slave to fashion on every trend. You know what you like....enjoy what you enjoy without reading too much in to it.

bj1111

Veteran

do you enjoy boho or preppy looks?

Gigi

Veteran

I was going to mention what Alassë mentioned: a book called The Triumph of Individual Style. There are sections in it about patterns and lines (straight or angled lines vs. curved lines). The authors talk about contrast, size of pattern, and spacing of pattern elements and how they relate to a person's body size/frame, natural coloring, etc. The same goes for lines: a preference for angular lines over curved ones might be rooted in your natural appearance; if you wear both, you may have elements of both in your natural features. I think it's an expensive book, but you can check it out from the library or get it on interlibrary loan if you're interested.

Anonymous

I have major difficulty finding dresses and tops I like because of the bold colors and prints that seem to be everywhere. I don't like the ditzy prints, either. I wish I could find more muted colors in general, in the prints I like. I get bored with solids. Yes, I wear solids, but don't prefer to wear solids head to toe. Sigh...

I like boho, but it's not a look I can pull off. Preppy would not describe me, either. I guess I march to the best of a different drummer.

Deb

Veteran

Chiming in again....Gigi's point is an interesting one and something I think about when choosing colour and patterns. Since I am petite I am very conscious of not wearing large, overpowering patterns, preferring small prints that are proportionate to my size. I think you call it a packed print as opposed to a scattered print. Generally I like to wear simpler designs and plains to suit my frame. Though I do wear occasional patterns of both straight and curved ilk, and my body is both slim/straight and curved. I hadn't realised there was a book on this subject, but this is something I had worked out myself. Creating the best wardrobe for oneself has so many elements that need to be considered.....one size certainly doesn't fit all....so to speak.

Aquatalia By Marvin K. Futuro

View Info

Top Pick

0

Sal

Veteran

I love prints, but I have fallen into the trap of having too many prints that don't go together.

I love stripes, polka dots, bold florals, black and white patterns, paisley, geometric, watercolour, landscape - I am not a huge fan of small florals and also not so keen on animal print.

Betty, it is great you know what you like. Prints are harder to wear so it is good to be clear on what you like.

Anonymous

Look at the thread "WIW Today - Equestrian Vibe?" that I posted yesterday. In that pic, I'm wearing a printed jacket. Keep in mind that I'm 5'2" tall.