5 Easy Prints that Everyone Should Incorporate into Their Capsule Wardrobe

… that aren’t black and white stripes.

Nothing against black and white stripes! They are a very simple print that can basically be considered a neutral. They pair well with lots of different tones, and are easily dressed up, or worn casually. Black and white stripes have pretty much transcended being a print, and are often considered a neutral in many capsule wardrobes.  

Prints can seem intimidating to add to a capsule wardrobe. It can seem counterintuitive to put something that is inherently not as versatile into your wardrobe that otherwise contains neutrals for pairing. (You’ll notice that we don’t actually sell any prints ourselves). We are making the case for adding some more prints to your capsule wardrobe, and daring to try some new outfit combinations! 

Here, we have outlined some of the best ways to add alternative prints to your wardrobe, and how they’ll easily incorporate themselves alongside your other neutral pieces. 

We picked a variety of pieces for this post, but that doesn’t mean you should add ALL, or even most of them to your capsule wardrobe. We recommend adding one or two printed pieces -- depending how funky your style is -- to your existing wardrobe. If you’ve been thinking of starting or changing up your capsule wardrobe, here’s a good place to start. 

Blue & White Stripes

Stripes are the most timeless pattern, but there are so many other variations that can fit nicely into your wardrobe. The colour blue has so many different tones that you can choose from based on what other colours you frequently wear. Here are three different shades of blue  for different kinds of occasions and outfits.

 

Brown/Pink & Cream Stripes

Not as difficult to style as truly multi-coloured stripes, but still a unique twist on the neutral stripe. The contrast between cream and brown/pink is less stark than between black & white, and provides a nice subtle pattern to shake up an outfit.

 

Checkered/Plaid

Plaid is undergoing a fashion revival. There are lots of different types of plaids, with smaller and larger pattern repeats, and different colour combinations. Plaid can be easily paired with lots of different neutral items in your closet, as it matches well with a variety of colours. Patterned pants seem intimidating, but they’re just as valuable of a staple as a pair of blue denim jeans! Checkered prints are having a similar moment, and a larger checked top has a simple pattern that can be worn casually, or in a work environment.

Polka Dots

Polka dots are another print that fits well into a neutral closet, and there are so many variations. Polka dots are arguably the easiest print to wear because there are so many different ways that the pattern can be arranged. Larger polka dots give an outfit a more slow and relaxed vibe, and smaller polka dots bring up the energy!

 

Cheetah/Leopard Print

Cheetah or Leopard prints is not for everyone, but if you have a more eccentric or adventurous style, this could be a good addition for you. These animal prints can range from more subtle and neutral, to larger and out there, so there are lots of options for your preferences.

 

Now that you’ve got an idea how to add patterns to your capsule wardrobe, check out this post to see how to best add colours to your capsule wardrobe based on your unique preferences.

Don’t have a capsule wardrobe yet, but you don’t know where to start? Check out this post to define your style, and start building a capsule wardobe.

 

 

 

 

All photos are copyright Encircled. Contact us for permissions/rights to re-use or repost images. 

Feed your soul - Join the Everyday Adventure Collective
A community for women who embrace life in every moment, at home or abroad. Request access here to our private facebook group.