Summer is here, and with the warm weather comes the perfect opportunity to take your brightest, boldest patterns out for a spin. A lot of people think of florals first when they imagine spring and summer patterns, but there are tons of other options out there that add just as much personality, vibrancy, and fun to your outfits. Here are a couple of summer prints that you can easily style into a wide variety of stylish summer outfits!
Stripes: Classic and Chic
Timeless and straightforward, stripes are perfect for summer thanks to their connection to sailing and warm days spent by the sea. Ever wonder why stripes are considered nautical? This pattern was originally worn by French sailors over 160 years ago because stripes were easier to see in the water if a sailor fell overboard! These days stripes are better known for their fashion than function, but their connection to boating makes them an essential summer pattern.
When talking stripes, you really are talking about a whole collection of different prints. There are vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, diagonals, and zig-zags, thin stripes and thick ones, and the list goes on and on! For a traditional nautical look, look for summer tops and dresses that feature stripes in navy and white. Not quite your style? No problem! Experiment with different designs and colors until you find the perfect stripe for every occasion, and you’ll find yourself with a whole closet full of new outfits too!
Polka Dots: Playful and Retro
Whether you love a vintage-inspired fashion moment or just enjoy a fun, flirty look, polka dots are perfect for you! Though this pattern is much more subtle and simple than tropical prints, it can be just as bold and beautiful when styled the right way. Its simplicity also makes it great for mixing with other patterns!
For a throwback look that you can wear to the office or out to dinner, try pairing a polka dot skirt with a solid-colored blouse and a bold belt. Not ready to commit to that many spots quite yet? Masseys has a variety of polka dot shoes that can add just the right amount of fun flair to any outfit.
Geometric Prints: Modern and Eye-Catching
Geometric patterns use shapes like triangles, squares, cubes, and more to create a unique look that serves as a great centerpiece for your outfit. These can be as simple as your standard houndstooth print or several different patterns all working together to create a stunning design, the possibilities are endless! Not sure where to start? Try starting small with a monochrome design. Black and white is extremely easy to style around and can be dressed up for formal and professional occasions if needed.
The key to styling bold and busy geometric patterns is to keep the rest of the outfit simple. Solid pieces and simple accessories are your best friend here, accentuating the pattern without drawing away from it. Solids also help you keep your outfit from getting too busy. Choose pieces in complementary colors to the ones in the pattern to tie the whole look together.
Tropical Prints: Bring On The Vacation Vibes
While similar to florals, tropical prints bring a different, more exciting feel to summer outfits. Just like with stripes, you have a few different options here too based on how bold you’d like to be. For a more subtle look, look for palm leaf patterns in different shades. Want something more vibrant? Look for bright patterns featuring exotic flowers! White flowers silhouettes against a solid-colored background are a popular choice often seen on Hawaiian shirts and flowy, tropical maxi dresses.
Tropical summer fashion is perfect for wearing at the beach or pool as well as casual outings like backyard barbecues. Try balancing bold prints with solid colors to keep the look from being too over the top. To lean into the natural, tropical feel, pair this pattern with accessories made with natural materials. Espadrille sandals, woven handbags, and straw sunhats are all great additions to a tropical outfit.
Animal Prints: Bold and Fierce
No need to convince us that animal prints are a must-have, we’re already stocked up on this wild pattern! While we tend to be more biased toward leopard print (we have a whole article about how you can style this pattern you can check out) we do enjoy a monochromatic zebra print moment on occasion and love our snake print shoes! One of our favorite things about animal prints is that while the animals themselves tend to stick to one color scheme, you can find these patterns in all shades in the fashion world. Pink leopard print, blue snakeskin, it’s all possible!
Animal prints are perfect for making a fashion statement. Mix them with neutrals so that they can be the star of your outfit, whether it be bold faux snakeskin boots, a leopard-print dress, or a zebra handbag. Remember that statement pieces don’t always have to be a dress or top, they can be your accessories and shoes too! These are a great way to incorporate smaller splashes of animal prints if you don’t want to get too wild.
Pattern Play for a Stylish Summer
Embracing vibrant patterns is a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe for summer while expressing your own personal style. From chic stripes to bold animal prints, there’s a pattern for every taste and occasion. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, experiment with different prints, and have fun with your summer style. By incorporating these patterns, you’ll not only stay on-trend but also feel chic and confident all season long. So, go ahead: elevate your summer wardrobe with these fabulous patterns and enjoy the sunny days in style!
Which of these patterns is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, and then tag us in your summer outfit pics on Facebook and Instagram.
I love the new styles 😍