{"id":18092,"date":"2025-06-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kleuranalyse-online.nl\/?p=18092"},"modified":"2026-10-21T13:44:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T13:44:44","slug":"how-to-mix-prints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kleuranalyse-online.nl\/en\/how-to-mix-prints\/","title":{"rendered":"How to mix prints without chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Prints are fun, and so is color. But combining colors and prints in one outfit can quickly become chaotic. You stand enthusiastically in front of the mirror and then think: “Hmm, this is not quite it.” That is why it helps to know how to mix prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily you do not have to be a fashion professional to combine prints well. With a few simple rules, you keep your outfit in balance. Below are five ways, plus how to choose a print that suits your colors and season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First choose a print that suits you<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you start combining, it begins with the print itself. A print consists of several colors, and the color that appears most determines how the print looks next to your face. So choose a print whose main colors are in your palette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also pay attention to the contrast in the print. A print with a big difference between light and dark, such as black-and-white stripes, often suits people with high contrast. If you have low contrast yourself, soft prints with colors that are close together usually suit you better. Read more about your personal contrast level<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prints per season<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each season also has prints that suit it well. These are guidelines, not rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring<\/b>Fresh, cheerful prints with clear colors, such as florals, polka dots and playful patterns.<\/span><\/div>
Summer<\/b>Soft, flowing prints, such as watercolor florals, fine stripes and patterns that blend into each other.<\/span><\/div>
Autumn<\/b>Earthy, rich prints, such as paisley, animal prints, checks and patterns inspired by nature.<\/span><\/div>
Winter<\/b>Graphic, high-contrast prints, such as crisp stripes, geometric shapes and bold motifs.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where do you wear your print<\/em>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A print draws attention to the place where it sits. If you want people to look mainly at your face, wear the print on a top, blouse or scarf, and choose the colors that suit you best there. If, on the other hand, you want another part of your outfit to stand out, a printed skirt, trousers or bag is a great choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The size of the print matters too. On a small, petite frame, a very large print can quickly overpower, while a small print on a larger frame sometimes looks a little lost. There are no hard rules, but it helps to look in the mirror and see whether the print wears you, or you wear the print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to mix prints and colors: 5 ways<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Start with a neutral base<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Still unsure? Start small. A neutral base gives a print room. Think of one printed piece, such as a floral skirt or a polka-dot blouse, and keep the rest plain. You can read which neutral colors suit you in wearing neutral colors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Let prints share a color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to combine two prints is through a shared color. A blouse with blue flowers and a skirt with blue stripes feel like a whole, even though the prints are very different. You do not need an exact match: the same color family often works already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Combine different sizes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two prints of the same size will fight for attention. So combine a large print with a small one: a bold check with a fine floral, or a wide stripe with small dots. One print forms the base, the other the accent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. See stripes as your base print<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stripes behave almost like a plain color. They combine with almost any other print, as long as the colors match. Choose stripes in colors from your palette, for example navy with white, or camel with cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Let accessories connect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A scarf, bag or belt in a color that appears in both prints connects your outfit. The eye then sees one whole, instead of two separate pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rule of thumb<\/span>

Unsure whether two prints go together? Then look at your outfit in the mirror through half-closed eyes. If you see one harmonious whole, it works. If you see two areas clashing with each other, choose one print.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to mix prints: three ideas<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Florals and stripes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A floral skirt with a striped top in the same color family. The stripes keep it calm, the flowers give the outfit character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check and plain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A checked blazer over a plain top and trousers in a color from the check. One print, but with impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal print as a neutral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An animal print in warm brown shades behaves almost like a neutral color. Autumn types in particular can combine it well with plain olive, rust or camel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistakes<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n