Spring and Summer 2013 print trends

New season styles are arriving in store and online now, so here is a simple explanation of the key print trends to adopt. Unlike last summer which focused on colour, this is a print season. Adding new prints to your wardrobe, will give your look an instant lift and many compliments as they are a conversation point. Remember to think about your body shape before testing some of these out though, as the larger the print generally the larger you will look with in it.

“Mix and Matching” is an important look, and one I would encourage trying. The simplest and chickest way to try this out would be to mix within the groupings, or stick to a simple colour combination.

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Spring and Summer 2013 print trends

GEOMETRY: spots, squares, stripes and blocking. Super stylish in black and white!

Spots

spotsLeft: Moschino Polka-Dot Embroidered Crepe Dress $1602 // John Lewis Sinamay Loop Fascinator $51 // Ronnie Kirsch Eva Clutch $1060 // Middle: Oscar de la Renta Beaded Polka-dot Silk-Faille Top $4054.79 // Fashion Union Black Spot Pencil Skirt $20 // Principles Black & White Multi-Stripe Bangle $20 // Right: Closet Spot Print Dress $82 // Nars Jungle Red Lipstick $29.12 // Top Shop Ratchett Block Strappy Heels $85

Newness is in the scale of the spots, as dimensions are mixed and shadow effects are added. Try layering spot items, which allows you to update one you already own and remember that generally smaller scale spots are considered more sophisticated and should be closest to your face.

Squares

squares and grids

Left: River Island Black & White Geometric Print Shirt $54 // Dorothy Perkins Black and Ivory Check Trouser Was $49 Now $30 // Nine West Speak Up Flats $78 // Middle: Michael Michael Kors Grid Seamed Dress $250.30 // Merona Houndstooth Zip Around Wristlet $17 // Right: Closet Black and White Square Dress $100 // Chanel Vintage Leather Quilted Shoulder Bag $3012.80 // Forever 21 Grid Print Platform Sandals Was $31 Now $24

As seen at Louis Vuitton square prints will be very important. Unfortunately they are not easy to wear in large scale without some confidence, so just buy one piece and then wear the trend in accessories. This look will still be relevant next winter too, so if you buy in monotone you should get double value. You could also try smaller scale formats such as hound’s tooth which won’t date so quickly, but don’t buy Gingham as that is not the correct look.

Stripes

stripe

Left: Emporio Armani Blue Two-Toned Round Sunglasses $230 // Forever New Valencia Stripe Shift Dress $119.99 // Manolo Blahnik Two Tone Suede T-Strap Pump $900.06 // Middle: Phase Eight Aisling Top $20 // Oasis Coloured Cherry Crop Jeans $72 // Marc by Marc Jacobs Licorice Shopper $100 // Right: Oasis Stripe Maxi Dress $115 // Bardot Belcher Brights Necklace $24.95

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Bold statement stripes as usual have a nautical feel, but this season they are less regimented and have a more organic feel with soft waves. Newness was also prevalent in the play on the direction of the stripe, and big news will be chevron options.

Splicing

colour blocking

Left: River Island Two-Tone Waterfall Jacket $85 // Jane Norman Colour Block Cross Bag Was $43 Now $21 // Gianvito Rossi Two-Tone Leather & Suede Pumps $784 // Middle: YNNY Optical Slimming Yellow & White Dress $50 // Diane Von Furstenberg Eva Colour Block Tote $518 // Right: Pied a Terre Colour Block Shift Dress $115 // Debenhams Polished Gold Multi Link Long Necklace $17 // Dorothy Perkins Colour Block Purse $17

Colour blocking isn’t a print statement, but like wearing a print it takes confidence to pull the look off. This trend keeps growing in strength, and has been updated by triple splicing. It’s best to stick to the monotone palette and pick one standout colour to accessorise with, yellow looks freshest.

So even if you are not a print person, this is the season to give it a try. There are a variety of looks to cover most tastes and simply adding a printed scarf can be the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to update plain pieces already in your wardrobe.

Stay tuned for my next installment of Spring and Summer 2013 Print Trends!

Alison Lennard is the Designer of women’s wear label Philosophy Australia and event wear label Drama, and has been designing these labels since she moved to Sydney from London in 2007. She has over twenty years experience designing for stylish women and specializes in creating versatile, commercial pieces at affordable pricing. She is also the “Style Queen” at TheGlossaryShop.com.au a website aimed at time poor women, who want to be able to buy with confidence styles to suit every segment of their lifestyle.


7 replies on “Spring and Summer 2013 print trends

  • Louise Eckersley

    Fantastic blog Alison, thank you! I feel very pleased with myself that I’ve bought my 12 year old neice a pair of black and white striped skinny jeans for Christmas_not only ahead of the my usual christmas shop trend – but on trend!! Every trend you’ve presented has fantastic pieces and some at really good prices (for a single mum!) so now I’m really keen to check out your label too! Thanks for sharing your insights with we mortals of fashion :)

  • Kylie Hannon

    Love the blue/black combinations Alison – I have all these pieces in my wardrobe but would never think to put them together..thanks for the advice..keep it coming!

  • marta bruyere

    Great styling advice Alison. Love the Blog. Really good tips on the colour blocking, especially with the yellow- loving that look.
    Looks like i’m going shopping soon…..

  • Kirsty

    Love the splicing look and great to know what is on trend. As a busy mum and professional I don’t have time to trawl through shops and magazines so the blog is really helpful and I may well get some online shopping done at the GlossaryShop to save time too!

  • Kara

    Oooooh, I love the spots and stripes. These patterns lend themselves well to high-contrast colours and high-contrast dressing. Fantastic for busy professionals or those who want to immediately add confidence and impact to their outfit. This is a topic I love to write about on my blog, all about Executive Impressions. Thanks for sharing this great post!

  • Sally Humphrey

    Great article! The new trends look great and achievable! As a busy mum I need all the help I can get at styling my wardrobe. Look forward to reading more.
    Thanks Alison!

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