what to wear: print-spiration

“Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” This is still one of my favorite quotes from Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada. Such disdain. And it came to mind again when I realized that bold prints–floral and other–were a noteworthy trend for the Fall. So, while florals and prints for Spring aren’t exactly groundbreaking, you can also rest assured that the trend is one in which you can invest without fear that it will be out of style anytime soon.

There is a common misconception that prints will make one appear bigger or larger than they actually are, but I am confident that, when done correctly, this is not the case. Some things to keep in mind when finding your perfect bold print:

1. Color. Everyone has “their colors”–you know, the colors that no matter what always make you feel great and look awesome on you. (It’s okay, you can admit it.) While I love branching out and going outside my comfort zone, it’s okay to stick to the colors you already love.

2. Fabric. This is all about comfort. If you don’t feel great in it, that will come across when you wear it, or worse, you won’t wear it at all.

3. Print Style. This is important. Not all prints are created equal. I tend to stick with prints that are thematic as opposed to patterns. What I mean, generally, is instead of polka dots, I’ll choose paisley. As always, your instincts will tell you right away what prints you like and don’t like–trust them.

This Nicole Miller dress is what gave me print-spiration. With a dress like this, let it speak for itself. Don’t overwhelm the senses with funky shoes and jewelry. Keep everything around your print simple.