Reintroducing Prints - YouLookFab Forum

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Reintroducing Prints

Anonymous

I had been pretty much "off" prints for the last couple of years. But my preferences have a habit of turning quickly and I went and added a few!
It started with the flowy pants...
Then I found they had a matching top (too much together on me, but good seperately).

When I bought the blouse I found this other one. Actually the inside of the blouse has a black and grey print, so nice when I roll up the sleeves.
Then I found the T in a thrift shop. Normally I don't wear short sleeves, but the weather has been just right for them, so we'll see. The color palette is just right in any case.

Speaking of color palette, the 3 boutique pieces have blue, which I had sworn off for the last few years. The background of the matching set is dark navy, not black. I think they work on me, since they have brown.

Now my goal of 25 non basics is officially maxed out!

Liverpool Long Sleeve Tie Front Popover Blouse

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23 replies

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Those prints are all smaller scale and lower contrast - and in your colors. I would wear the set together for a dinner party. But that's me .

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Pretty!

Joy

Veteran

Those prints could look like false plains at a distance. They are heavily colored, so don't look like a print and are more restful to the eye. This seems a good way to reintroduce prints.

Anonymous

I tried the pants and top together Jamie, and it was definitely ALGO on my short little self! If I do go to any dinner party, I'll consider it though
My main issue with prints is that so often they include white, which makes the contrast level too high for my coloring. As long as every color in the print is in my palette, it's ok.

A big reason I moved away from prints is that I arranged my closet in color order, so having prints made it more chaotic than I wanted.
Right now the closet order is-black, charcoal, dark brown, medium brown, olive, pine green, teal, purple, burgundy, rust, tan, beige, then prints at the end.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Ahh I have this same issue with where to hang my prints - usually I just go with whichever shade is the most prominent I try to avoid white, navy & grey in this closet though, which also severely limits my choices...

Those are all great prints though, wherever you choose to store them!

rachylou

Veteran

I like it!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

That's so funny about your closet org. I also separate my prints from my solids. I find it more aesthetically pleasing and easier to cater to my mood on any particular day. Plus, I actually like the look of all the prints jumbled together.

I'm also intrigued by your "25 non basics" rule. Could you elaborate? Or have you talked about it in another thread?

cat2

Veteran

I think these are more on the moody end of the print scale and will work long term.

Anonymous

Thanks all!
The 25 non basics (meaning underwear/sleepwear/ gear) was my chosen shopping # for the year. I'm trying to keep my wardrobe size about the same, while acnowledging that 1. Things wear out and need replacement 2. I like refreshing my style as new things become available.
Next year's number will probably be about the same, or I may do a firm one in/ one out for most categories.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Those look fab for the current leg of your style journey, Suntiger!

It's always interesting when our style follows our moods and feelings. We can't always explain why, but it works

Anonymous

Yep Angie! Last year I went too classic, so backtracking a bit! Still preferring quieter colors these days than before though.

slim cat

Veteran

Yay to lovely prints! Great additions! ( big fan of prints - always on look out ).

Inge

(website)

Such great finds, suntiger! I'm loving "the blues" for you, and can see all three pieces work really well with the rest of your wardrobe.

LaPed

Veteran

These prints feel very organic to your style and I agree that they can read as faux-solids in some outfits because they're low-contrast. Re: closet organization, have you thought about hanging printed pieces according to their dominant colour (e.g. the tee could go with your purples), rather than in a separate section? It might feel more harmonious, and could help incorporate them into more outfits?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for explaining! 20-25 pieces is right about where I want my annual non-basics (same definition) shopping to be as well.

Sal

Veteran

I like these prints for you Suntiger. It’s good you have worked out which prints are best.

I think sometimes with YLF we start with a style that we like - but we want to improve on. We move away, trying a few new things inspired by the forum or by blog posts and then circle back to our style with the refinements made. I know Suz talked about this, and I have done so too - and resisting temptation is easier for us down in the SH due to shipping and exchange rates.

Runcarla

Veteran

What you have collected looks very rich, and reminds me of some of Brooklyn’s pieces. New hair, and tweaking the wardrobe sounds like your style evolution is progressing!

Sal

Veteran

And I am trying for less than 25 too including gear.... I am at 20 so far but my budget is right at the limit due to some pricey additions.

Anonymous

Thanks all! The trouble with some of the prints is that the proportions are too equal, and the colors are opposite on the wheel. For example a dress that has black, blue, orange. It doesn't really "work" in any section.
The prints that have low color contrast, like the burgundy paisley, would be easy to mix in.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I was going to suggest that, after a while, you might realize that you wear a print the way you would a certain color, even if it has opposing colors in it, and that you could then hang them that way. But then I realized I’d wear the flowy pants like a pale neutral, and the top as if it were navy (or whatever that dark color in the print is). That blows that method away.

Interesting to me that you feel too much of that pattern would overwhelm you. I’m bigger, and feel that one pattern or color all over is overwhelming for others.

I’m surprised at the purchase numbers because I thought you guys did posts about new items. I’ve bought 15 things this year, including shoes but not underwear, and have posted about most of them—linen dress, purple velour, black shoes, bike shorts, silk tank…

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Stagiaire Fash, I suspect it's just that 20 or 25 purchases over the course of a year don't result in that many posts in the grand scheme of things, even if folks are talking about all of them. I'm at 15 items right now, as well, and think I've posted about everything except a couple of graphic tees.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenn, I might just not realize how many posts people make.

Anonymous

I probably posted about all my new this year stuff. I didn't do monthly ones this year like last year though.