The fashion industry is one that constantly evolves and pushes different boundaries every day. On the personal level, the world of fashion is also open to interpretation, giving individuals a chance to reflect their personal style. Each week, columnists Alexis Williams and Aubrey Yeo look at a different topic in fashion, and find out what keeps fashion moving forward at UCLA.Prints are everywhere – from hats to shoes and every other article of clothing in between.
As we watched print after print go by, it became harder and harder to categorize them. Prints came in the form of repeated patterns, or loud chaotic designs; there doesn’t seem to be any hard and fast rules as to what counts as prints. The versatility of prints in a way even serves as a microcosm for fashion – if it looks good, wear it.
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I’m always in favor of big color when it comes to prints.
If something’s going to be eye-catching – and let’s face it, most prints are – I think it’s best to accentuate that instead of taking an unenthused approach.
This philosophy seems to be the modus operandi of Barcelonan brand Desigual. If the multicolored blotches of paint that accompany the Spanish label’s logos aren’t enough of a hint, then its signature look of complicated, psychedelic design should elucidate you to its bizarre approach to prints.It’s a little crazy, but I also think it works.
But even if you’re not a big fan of vivid colors, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified from the attention-grabbing prints game. This is where the design kicks in.
Third-year English student Hannah Szafranski’s leggings from Nike Women are a great example of this. Despite the lack of color, the detailed snakeskin motif adorning the leggings is all they need to keep them interesting.
“Well I only wear black, grey or white, so for once I got some pattern in there,” Szafranski. “These are edgy, hardcore. I like them.”
Italian fashion label Etro has mastered the art of producing prints that feature eye-catching designs. Although the brand has produced bright colored garments, it has also showcased collections filled with clothes dominated by neutral tones, yet features elaborate designs that could turn some heads.
For fans of tamer colors, there’s also always the classic animal print option. Once thought of as a gaudy design best kept hidden, the leopard print has seen a resurrection of late, with several labels serving up their own take.
The leopard print backpack which has served me faithfully since I bought it from ASOS two years ago has become a talking point with many people I’ve encountered in the Westwood area.
I’m keeping my matching leopard print pants in my laundry basket though.
– By Aubrey Yeo, Bruin senior staff.
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Go big or go home.
When it comes to prints, it’s truly hard to go wrong. Pairing a printed sweater with neutrals such as jeans and Birkenstocks, like second-year theater student Adam Turney does, makes a statement while still remaining daytime-appropriate.
“Everybody thinks this is UCLA Bruins, because it’s little bears,” Turney said. “I like to have one stand out piece and the rest be neutral, so you can really notice it.”
And while statement pieces featuring prints will never go out of style, the true beauty of prints is best demonstrated when wearing them head to toe.
For some reason, there is an unfortunately common belief that building entire outfits out of different printed pieces is reserved for blogs and runways. And, while brands like BCBG, DKNY and Tory Burch have all featured mixed print florals on their runways before, there is only one essential rule to remember when replicating the look: confidence.
It seems every fashion blog, like Lauren Conrad and Rachel Zoe’s, has a new set of suggestions to follow when mixing prints. Some say to stick with a neutral palette across the whole outfit, some say to keep all your pieces to the same fabric, specifically silk, and others suggest mixing textures and colors for optimal effect. In my opinion, trying to follow every other fashionista’s set of rules takes all the fun out of crafting the perfect mixed print outfit.
Irmary Garcia, fourth-year political science student and the Undergraduate Students Association Council cultural affairs commissioner, has the perfect attitude to match her geometric mixed print hat and backpack: “Whatever goes.”
Garcia said she doesn’t follow strict rules when mixing prints, which she does often. Her backpack and DUNKXCHANGE hat are different prints, color schemes and textures, and by keeping the remaining pieces of her outfit neutral, she pulled them together flawlessly.
My favorite “rule” to follow when mixing: Animal prints are the new neutral.
Because of their inherently monochromatic color schemes, cheetah and leopard print pieces act as the perfect base upon which to build the rest of a perfect winter mixed-print ensemble. Add another accent print with bold colors, and you’ve successfully rocked the mix print look.
– By Alexis Williams, Bruin reporter.