Do you lack confidence when it comes to choosing a print? If so, know that you are not alone! But also know this: you don’t have to stay that way. There’s really more of a science to choosing the right print for the right person — and for the right place! Not only do prints help visually accentuate or enlarge certain body parts, as we discussed in Part 1, but they can also help to visually coordinate with your natural coloring, as we discussed in Part 2. Believe it or not, there’s even more to choosing the right print, and it’s not just about what looks good on your body — after all, we’re more than just what’s on the outside, right?!
Matching Your Personal Scale
Don’t worry: we’re not asking about the numbers on the scale here. We’re talking about another kind of scale — relating to proportionate size. It includes more than your overall body size too. Do you have large, pronounced facial features, or do you have petite and delicate ones? Is your bone structure large, small, or in between? What about your height? The combination of those will impact the kind of scale print that will look balanced on your body. If your natural appearance is overall large-scale, then a small-scale print will generally make you look imbalanced. Keep in mind that a high-contrast print will appear to be larger scale than it actually is as well.
Curved vs. Angular Prints
Unlike contrast and scale, you don’t necessarily want to match your body type with the kinds of lines in the prints you choose. For instance, if you have a very angular body shape, you won’t want to select extremely angular prints. However, if you have angular facial features, you would look best with sharper patterns, rather than those with lots of curves.
Of course, personality also comes into play here, along with the kind of image you want to project. Angular prints are those that have straight lines — think plaids and stripes. Those are going to come across as more powerful and masculine. By contrast, prints with curved lines such as paisley and floral prints will come across as softer and more feminine.
Personality in Print
Curved and angular prints are only general categories; we can further specify different kinds of prints and categorize them into the types of personalities that they represent. Don’t feel like you need to choose just one, though; we’re all complex beings and sometimes feel more like one than another.
Vertical stripes and small geometric prints are considered by many to be “Classic.” Repeating and geometric patterns can be classified as “Elegant Chic.” Small floral patterns and other curved prints are often described as “Feminine.” Bold prints with high-value contrast such as animal prints represent a “Dramatic” flair. Abstract prints and ethnic-inspired patterns and various types of wearable art show you’re on the “Creative” side. Horizontal stripes and plaid designs represent a “Relaxed” look. Finally, wearing clothing with slogans, pop art, and skulls gives off a “Rebellious” vibe.
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.
Sources Cited for this Series:
https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2013/07/how-to-pick-prints-curved-or-angular.html
https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2013/08/3-essential-elements-to-choosing-flattering-prints-and-patterns.html
https://verilymag.com/2015/05/how-to-wear-prints-patterns-style-inspiration-for-your-body-shape
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