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Style Tips: Get the Skinny on Prints, Part 1

October 11, 2019 By Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

vintage hermes cdc green clutch bag with gold hardware
Vintage Hermes CDC green clutch bag with gold hardware

If you’re like most women, you tend to gravitate toward certain types of prints, whether or not they flatter your figure. Maybe you like how certain prints look and think they might work well for you, but you’re just not sure whether you could “pull them off.” Well, let us de-mystify prints for you and help you understand why different prints work for different body types so you feel more confident in choosing prints (and positioning them) in ways that work for you!

Basic Principles for Prints

We all realize that black and other dark colors are universally slimming; well, there are some universal principles regarding the visual effects of prints as well. Essentially, patterns influence the way your body size (or specific part of your body) will be perceived.

hermes bracelets
Hermes bracelets

In general, large prints will increase the perceived size, while smaller prints will decrease how large your body or body part will appear. In the same way, horizontal stripes will make you look shorter but larger than you really are, visually, while vertical stripes will allow you to appear taller and slimmer. In addition to those basic concepts, a lot boils down to scale, which is something you can use to create an “optical effect to change how an area appears.”

Prints for Tall Women

While most of us think of appearing tall and thin as the obvious ideal, the real key is to accentuate your best features but not to over emphasize them. So if you’re already tall and thin, you really don’t want to wear prints that will make you look even more that way.

chanel xxl gray canvas quilted bag
Chanel XXL gray canvas quilted bag

If you’re on the tall side, prints will definitely be your friend! Without breaking up a solid color, you could risk making yourself look even taller than you really are. Maxi dresses with larger prints can work for you, but if you’d prefer to break it up, you can definitely get away with only a top or a bottom with a large print. If you prefer a small print, instead, make sure to select a bold, allover look in a larger piece such as a dress, long pants, or a maxi or midi skirt. (If you choose, instead, a typical-length top or a mini skirt, it may not work as well for you.)

Prints for Petite Women

Basically, you can take the advice above and completely go against it! If you are shorter or petite, it will be easier for a print to visually overwhelm your size. Smaller prints will typically work well for you. Anything is game — from polka dots to flowers to stripes — just make sure they’re on the small side. Vertical stripes will help make you look taller, as will allover patterns and dresses, in general. To add a print to an otherwise basic ensemble, consider accessories such as scarves and jackets.

In our next post, we’ll look at how to visually diminish areas that are a little more generously proportioned.

Penny Pincher Boutique

We’re Westchester County, NY’s upscale consignment store offering women’s designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes, and so much more. Visit our boutique at 184 Harris Rd in Bedford Hills, NY or shop online at www.pennypincherboutique.com. We also offer a selection of our items for sale on eBay. Shipping is available across the U.S.

All images are from the Penny Pincher Boutique Instagram page and may represent consigned products which have already been sold.

Filed Under: Shopping

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