How to feel confident wearing prints

The older I've become, the more I've started finding my ground when it comes to my personal style and what suits my body. When I was younger I was quite self-conscious about my body and what I wore and I used to wrap myself up in all black in order to not draw attention to myself. I think there is a pivotal point in every young woman's life where you suddenly decide not to give a damn about what everyone else thinks about you and although it took me awhile, I think I've finally reached that point. Over the last twelve months,  I have really experimented with my wardrobe and tried clothes that I never thought would suit me. I have developed my own individual style comprising of daring vintage pieces with modern, elegant twists. I used to be someone who used to shy away from colour, now I can't get enough of it and when it comes to prints, the more vibrant the better.

Inspired by new vintage Liberty of London skirt that I found in Oxfam for only £10, I have decided to put together a little guide on how to feel confident wearing printed clothing. Prints are often associated with garish 80s designs or bohemian hippies, but these days that is far from the case and out there in a vintage or high street store, there's a print to suit everybody. Autumn is my favourite time for prints as they often replicate the tangerine orange and fiery colours seen in the weather as the leaves begin to fall onto the ground. The patterns are usually a lot more subtle and the colours are often darker, which is great for those looking to test the waters and wear prints for the first time.

Select key pieces
My first piece of advice for anyone looking to wear prints is to select key pieces from your wardrobe and unless you're really confident, refrain from wearing all over patterns. Skirts and blazers are a fantastic start for anyone looking to wear prints and they can be worn up with a simple cami top or blouse to tone down the outfit.

Opt for subtle patterns
Floral and Aztec patterns are great for beginners and they come in a variety of colours, all year round. Opt for subtle, classic designs that will stand the test of time and can be worn all year through.



Muted colours
If you are just starting out wearing prints, chose muted colours such as deep reds, dark green or black and whites. The more confident you become wearing these, the more experimental you can be later on.

Accessorise
Adding accessories will draw some of the attention away from the prints if you are feeling self-conscious. Wrist jewellery will draw your attention to your arms or a striking necklace with a basic blouse will draw attention away from patterned trousers, skirts or blazers.

Sometimes it is worth paying more
Sometimes it is worth paying a little bit more for a piece of clothing if it is patterned because the more time that is invested in your item of clothing, the more attention to detail there will be in the design. This is important when it comes patterns as the more expensive the item is, the easier they are able to add finer details that really enhance a piece of clothing compared to going for a larger, generic pattern. If you are worried about investing money into clothing that you are unsure you will wear, you can always look through charity shops and try to find similar items for more purse friendly price.

How do you feel about wearing prints?