One easy way to show creativity with your outfit is to incorporate a striking pattern or print. Any recurring design is referred to as a pattern, whereas prints are designs printed into the fabric instead of woven or stitched. When discussing any non-plain fabric, the two terms are frequently used interchangeably.

Read on as we reveal amazing tricks to mix and match prints and patterns in an elegant and fun way. But before we go into that, what are the 5 most popular prints and patterns in fashion? 

1. Stripes: There are many stripes, from pinstripes—very narrow vertical stripes that frequently appear on dark-colored suits—to the traditional French marinière T-shirt, which has recognizable blue and white horizontal stripes.
2. Floral: All types of flowers can be found in floral patterns. Floral designs can be little (also known as ditsy) or big and intricate. They may have more than one color or only one. Given their wide range, they make for enjoyable patterns to work with.
3. Polka-dots: A polka-dot pattern is made up of identically sized circles that repeat. Smaller polka dots have a more neutral appearance than larger ones.
4. Animal prints: these designs reproduce spots, stripes, and scales of various wild animals. There are methods to tastefully include designs like snake, zebra, and leopard without making a huge statement.
5. Plaid: A common design for flannel shirts is plaid, also referred to as tartan, a woven fabric traditionally made from wool. 

Let's get to it then, shall we? How would you mix and match these prints and patterns without looking silly? 

Four Ideas for Mixing and Matching Prints and Patterns

1. Start with foundation prints: Start with timeless, straightforward prints like stripes, polka dots, and florals. Add a bolder print on top after that. Try matching tiny polka-dots patterns with bold stripes of matching color. The two designs will complement each other, and the polka-dots will serve as a neutral.
2. Have fun with it: You're not expected to always match identical patterns. Mixing a leopard print and plaid may seem like a bad fashion choice, but choosing two completely unrelated prints can be really effective if done right. A neutral piece, such as a black blazer or denim jacket, might serve as the outfit's anchor.
3. Choose patterns of varying sizes: Using two distinct scales to layer patterns is one of the simplest methods to combine them. A large-scale pattern and a small-scale print enable the smaller scale to function as a neutral. This approach can achieve a grunge appearance by pairing a floral print skirt with a large-format plaid flannel.
4. Colors are your best friends. Pay great attention to colors when working with mixed prints. Strong patterns in more muted hues, such as black and white, can balance wildly distinct patterns in a more colorful scheme. One tactic is to combine a single-colored pattern, such as a red-and-white polka-dot, with a multi-colored pattern that incorporates the color from the monochromatic pattern, such as a red floral print.

If you still feel lost when matching prints and patterns, keep this in mind: always ensure the base color in one print matches a color in the other. 

Don't hesitate to read through our other interesting fashion tips here (add link). You could also order stylish prints and pattern clothing from our Wrapped with Amore store.