See the New Wave of Print Pairings

Pastel + Zebra — Photo: Dyad Photography

The recipe for an inspired ensemble: Combine two of the season's hottest trends (or make one a double). The result? An utterly intoxicating cocktail. Wild print mixology no longer includes florals and stripes. Instead, off-beat, refreshing combos made their way down the fall/winter 2013 runway, from stripes-on-stripes at Burberry Prorsum to pinstripes and embroidery at Dries Van Noten. Click through to see (and shop) the four charming outfit-making print pairings.

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Stripes + Stripes

Occasionally you come across a pattern so potent, it's hard to draw the line at just one piece. That's the case with bold stripes, which look fresh and fun in multiples. To prevent the broad horizontal bands from widening you, opt for a figure-flattering shape-a skirt with dark side panels or a fit-and-flare dress. Then top it off with a linear accessory, like a scarf or shades, in contrasting hues.
Runway look: Burburry Prorsum

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Dress + Sunglasses

Dress: Jill Stuart, $650; at Jill Stuart, 212-343-2300.
Sunglasses: Illesteva, $260; illesteva.com.

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Top + Scarf

Top: Michael Stars, $78; michaelstars.com.
Scarf: Stella & Dot, $59; stelladot.com.

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Skirt + Slipper Loafers

Skirt: Vince Camuto, $89; vincecamuto.com.
Slipper loafers: Splendid, $78; spelndid.com.

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Pinstripes + Embroidery

While pinstripes are all the rage right now, when worn head to toe they can make you look more Dick Tracy than girl-about-town. A fashionable fix? Balance the menswear mainstay with rich, feminine brocade. Go for equal parts tone-on-tone separates, or try a single shot of opulence, accenting your favorite pantsuit with an embroidered bag or shoes.
Runway look: Dries Van Noten

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Top + Pants

Top: Rebecca Taylor, $395; at Rebecca Taylor.
Pants: Brooks Brothers, $298; brooksbrothers.com.

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Slipper Loafers

Nine West, $79; ninewest.com.

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Shirt + Skirt

Shirt: Jonathan Simkhai, $210; jonathansimkhai.com.
Skirt: Suno, $395; at Opening Ceremony.

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Blazer + Clutch

Blazer: Smythe, $695; neimanmarcus.com.
Clutch: Shiraleah, $58; shiraleah.com.

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Plaid + Floral

Subtle it's not, but done right, a mash-up of grunge-inspired plaid and flirty flowers is chic and surprisingly wearable. Feel free to experiment with the scale and size of the crossbars and blooms, and with fabrics too (flannel and silk are particularly harmonious). But remember: The idea is not to clash but to complement-teaming prints in the same color family will keep the outfit cohesive.
Runway look: Givenchy

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Pullover + Shirt

Pullover: PJK, $158; at Bloomingdale's.
Shirt: Elizabeth and James, $245; nordstrom.com.

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Shirt + Skirt

Shirt: Rails, $128; railsclothing.com.
Skirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs, $278; at Bloomingdale's.

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Blouse + Pants

Blouse: Ted Baker London, $195; tedbaker-london.com.
Pants: Q Mack, $99; at select Macy's stores.

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Pastel + Zebra

At first thought, pastels and zebra stripes might seem like a sartorial train wreck, but the pairing is actually pretty fierce. Powder pink and baby blue hues help dilute the attention-grabbing graphic, giving it a softer, more sophisticated vibe, while a strategic dose of the exotic pattern brings out the sassier side of these icy shades.
Runway look: Carven

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