Print Diaries

Sep 30, 2010 by Dress Recycler

As fall has officially arrived the streets are flooded with printed dresses, oversized plaid button downs and printed jackets. During this time of year, (hot during the day/colder at night), we are torn between squeezing one last hurrah out of our summer clothes and busting the jackets out of storage.
What I have noticed on the streets is the transition in fabrics people are wearing these days and the prints that accompany them. Please note that prints change with the seasons just like fabrics and styles. Make sure to purchase transitional pieces that can go from summer to fall. Be wary of color, size and shape of print. Use the tips below when figuring out which prints look best on your body type.

Exhibit A:
•A perfect example of a colorful, large, abstract floral print. Perfect for someone tall as the print is so big it draws your eye to the center of the body while decreasing height intensity.
•Or, someone curvy as it is slims and draws the eye directly to the print; not to the problem areas.
•Not good for someone petite as this print could be larger than a petite person therefore throwing the look of the dress off balance.
•Really not good for someone who is extremely top heavy as this print would draw too much attention to the top half.

Over-sized printed dress

Exhibit B:

All over abstract animal print
• This print is great news for anyone curvy as the abstract lines hide small problem areas if necessary.
• Also great for slimming down an over-sized chest.
• A print like is isn’t so great for the tall and lanky as it could “drown out” their body shape.
• Not so great for anyone petite- (5’2” and under). This draws the eye down and could make a petite person visually smaller.

Exhibit C:

All over multi-colored diagonal print
•A universal print for all body types!
•Great for short, curvy, tall or skinny.
•Flattering diagonal lines draw the eye down creating a longer body line at more flattering angle.
•The print is easy on the eyes and flows well.
•This print will flatter most if not all figure types.
When choosing a print: KNOW your body shape and pick a print that gives you lean, clean, long lines.
A Border Print is typically a print that you would see on a scarf around the “border”. Take the scarf, wrap it around your waist and there you have it; a border print.
This kind of print is excellent for most body types as the eye is usually drawn to the bottom or “border” of the print; therefore giving you a longer, leaner look. This works because most if not all of the detailing of the print is at the bottom of the garment.
Here are some examples of some Border Prints:

Lime Paisley Border Print

A Fabulous Border Print Skirt not sewn by me

Sobia Nazir Border Print Dress-Fabulous!
The Geometric Print: Geometric prints classify in the “shape” category. IE: Any triangles, squares, or any other shape with sharp edges abstractly printed on fabric.

Here are a few examples:

Geometric Print Dress

Geometric Print Mini Dress on Etsy

Billabong Strapless Broken Glass Dress

BUYER BEWARE: Know your body shape and what colors you can pull off. Most geometrics can be large and overpowering. If this style of print piques your curiosity then go SMALL. A small geometric goes a long way to deliver the message of hip and retro garment. Patterns that are too large can make someone already short look shorter. These types of prints are perfect with a solid jacket or sweater to break up the pattern.
For more style information, print education and shopping inspiration, please visit www.thedressrecycler.com. Your bargain fashion superhero!

Share