If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of playing in my closet (and encouraging other women to do the same), it’s this: prints are only the beginning. The magic really happens when you start pulling out those tiny shades inside the pattern and repeating them in strategic ways.
Quote of the day: “Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates Love.” Lao Tzu
I thought the idea of “how to use accent colors in print clothing” would be exciting for my women who love a matching moment.
My crew took the idea from the elementary level to the college level.
And if you love this idea, then you might like some other similar articles:
–Pop of color
–Yellow and white with sass
–Coordinate color
Charlotte took the beginner’s approach by choosing an accent color and wearing it in only 1 other item in her look.
Her soft blue sweater featured subtle white and pink flowers. Instead of pulling out multiple colors, she chose to highlight just one: pink.
She did it through her shoes.
That’s it. Only one accent item.
Her white pants kept everything fresh and light. The blue sweater was the star. And those pink gingham sneakers? Aren’t they just the cat’s meow?
Wanna see the 3 of us wearing this sweater in other ways?
Style tip: When you’re using accent colors in print clothing, you don’t have to repeat a shade multiple times. Sometimes one intentional pop is enough to make the outfit feel styled.
Details:
-My mom finds the best accessories while thrifting. These earrings are from Clothes Mentor.
-You might not think that a structured collared shirt would work with this type of neckline, but I appreciate the dichotomy, although I wish we had unbuttoned that top button.
-Proportionally, this doesn’t fall into the “Rule of 3rds”, yet I think it still looks good. Exactly what I was talking about in a recent email about how we are unique.
Lesley’s dress already had a beautiful mix of navy with pops of pink and a bit of green (shhhh, don’t tell her, Lesley doesn’t like the color green).
So what did she do?
She echoed that pink. Twice. Once in her jacket and then with her purse.
That’s it. Just two intentional repeats of the pink from her dress.
And here’s why this works so beautifully: when you use accent colors in print clothing, repetition creates harmony. Your eye sees the pink in the dress, then travels up to the jacket, then down to the handbag.
She didn’t overdo it. Instead of wearing pink shoes, she opted for neutral ones, which grounded the outfit and avoided a matchy-matchy vibe.
Style tip: If your print already contains a color you love, pull it out and repeat it in one or two places. That’s often all it takes to elevate the entire look.
Details:
-Lesley wore the same pink jacket as inspiration from the movie Grease.
-She did carry the pink color to her earrings, but since her hair covers them somewhat, I didn’t consider those as part of her accent color.
-In her words, “I like the girly ruffles on this dress, and pairing it with a jean jacket was a fun way to mix it up. The dress is sleeveless, but the jacket makes it year-round wearable.”
Now you know I am a maximalist at heart, so I went overboard.
My base layer was a printed shirt dress (it used to be my mom’s, but she gave it to me). Because it has multiple colors running through it I thought I could pull out bits and pieces and even other printed items.
I wanted to get creative with my layering, so I wore it open with jeans, and then put a vest over top.
I count 3 accent colors and two different prints working together. The bright orange isn’t in the shirt dress per se, but there’s a darker orange in it, so I ran with the idea.
This may be “too much” for you, but I rationalize that it all fits with the base print piece.
This is how outfits start to feel artistic instead of accidental.
Details:
-I bought these faux fur wristlets 3 years ago, and they have held up wonderfully. They really do keep you warm if your sleeves are short.
-The shirt dress is pinned back under the vest so it vees open in the front.
-I used a brooch in the middle of my sweater vest to give it shape…since I’m a knitter, a sheep shape always makes me happy.
Let’s talk about why this technique works.
When you wear a print alone, it can feel busy or random. But when you pull colors from it and repeat them elsewhere in the outfit, you make it look intentional.
Accent colors in print clothing help guide the eye. They tell a story. They say, “Yes, I meant to do this.”
And that’s often the difference between feeling “dressed” and feeling styled.
I know some women think bold accent colors or print mixing is “too much” after a certain age.
Let me lovingly say: hogwash.
Using accent colors in print clothing isn’t about being trendy or matchy-matchy. It’s about being expressive. It’s about looking at what’s already in your closet and seeing possibilities instead of limitations.
Lesley showed us how polished two repeats can look.
I showed you how playful multiple accents can be.
Charlotte reminded us that one thoughtful detail can be enough.
There isn’t one right way.
There’s just your way.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to style your prints, start here. Look inside the pattern. It’s already giving you the roadmap.
And the best part? You probably already own everything you need.
So go peek inside your closet and pull out that floral blouse or abstract dress. The challenge is to use accent colors from the prints in the clothing in new and different ways.
Because, as I say over and over, style isn’t about rules. It’s about having fun with the details.
The post How To Use Accent Colors in Print Clothing appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
