A fresh take on garden-inspired dressing where the prints include gingham checks, florals and that of vegetables! Photo: Longchamp
There’s something exciting about mixing prints and patterns. It brings out character, personality, and a whole lot of pizzazz in an outfit.
Think of late fashion icon Iris Apfel, whose fearless fashion choices brought joy and inspiration to many, or semi-retired French couturier, Christian Lacroix whose print pairings were charged with energy and precision.
They were combinations no one expected would work, but in true Lacroix fashion, the result was nothing short of spectacular.
Mixing motifs whether leopard spots with business shirt stripes or gingham checks with florals can be cool and puts your creative mind to good use.
It’s a way of having fun with fashion while looking bold and original.
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This dress from is a fun, expressive statement piece, with a vibrant mix of blooms and bold tones. Photo: YacuthaIf you’re still unsure of how to go about this, stick to the safest print mix rule, which is to choose colours that are within the same tonal spectrum to maintain harmony and sophistication.
For example, a dark polka dot and a matching dark stripe can work together beautifully without clashing.
But hey, it’s 2025, feel free to play with your creativity and come up with your own unique take on mixing prints.
To quote Apfel’s famous mantra, “More is more, and less is a bore”.
Just take a look at Sarawakian designer Yacub Taha’s dress under his brand Yacutha, which boasts a joyful mix of prints and colours that spells happy a capital H.
“My dress is a mood booster, no prescription needed,” he writes on his Instagram account.
A mix of statement florals and dainty blooms, placed precisely within structured squares and rendered in a palette of rich, lively tones, the dress is a daring and imaginative creation.
Yacub ties it all together with purple heels and an orangebeaded bag, bringing effortless fun to a look that’s bold but thought through.
This fearless take on print is also evident at Versace, where the mix is a mash-up of baroque, stripes, chessboard squares, houndstooth, leopard, and python!
The variety of prints are evident on the interior lining of a coat, a silk shirt, necktie, scarf, belt, bag, and boots.
Now this is what you call a print parade that celebrates maximalism with style.
Another Italian label, Etro also goes wild with prints.
Among its latest designs include a denim coat with scattered floral print, a sweater with colourful abstracts worn over a striped shirt, pants with a checkered pattern, plus a tote with striking paisley motifs.
Saint Laurent chooses the safe but stylish way of mixing prints.
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A long, belted tunic in brown paisley against dark blue is paired with pants of a similar shade but with a dotted floral print.
Cute and quirky all at once, that’s the vibe of Yohji Yamamoto’s menswear for Spring/Summer 2025.
Trust the Japanese designer to dream up an ensemble of culottes, blazer, t-shirt, and a haphazardly cut vest, each piece bursting with scribbles, abstract shapes and floral motifs.
Longchamp also takes a whimsical route with an earthy palette of green and brown.
From the French brand’s Summer 2025 collection, the ensemble includes a green-and-white gingham blouse under brown dungarees, complemented by a small gingham bag dotted with pink florals.
The headscarf, printed with carrots, cucumbers, onions, turnips, tomatoes and more, adds a playful patch of veggie chic.
It’s guaranteed to leave everyone green (pun intended) with envy!
