Bold and Colorful Fashion Prints for Summer: Splurge vs Steal

It’s only the middle of July and already I feel like summer is ending! But I know we are actually right in the middle of the season, so it’s the perfect time to make the best of it and wear all of your bold and colorful fashion prints. This year designers showed some of the most amazing prints, from oversized florals, to bold black and white animal prints and geometrics, to mixed pattern color blocked prints. I found some gorgeous designer fashion you can invest in, and I found some close-in-resemblance steals. Take a look and decide if you want to splurge vs steal on bold and colorful fashion prints for summer.

How To Wear Bold and Colorful Fashion Prints

Before you think you would never wear these bold summer prints, here are a few tips on how to wear them for women over 50, or at any age.

1. Wear one bold print fashion piece with a solid. If you are timid about the trend, try a bold print blouse or pair of pants and wear it with other neutral colors like black, white or tan. Yes you can also pick up a color in the print, for example, wear a solid t-shirt or blouse in that color with bold printed pants. Don’t worry if your solid is a shade off, because sometimes it softens the outfit and you avoid the “matchy-matchy” look.
2. Go big with prints! Don’t be afraid! Oversized patterns and prints won’t make you look bigger. In fact, they can camouflage your figure flaws. The smaller the print, the more times it will repeat, and that can actually make you look bigger. Try one one and see!
3. Bold prints are like an art canvas. They make a statement and you really don’t need to worry about added accessories. That’s why they are ideal for summer.
4. Wear a bold print accessory. If you really are not into wearing printed clothing, wear a pair of summer print shoes, or carry a bold print handbag or tote.

Colorful Prints for Summer: Splurge vs Steal

Now that you know how to wear colorful prints, here are some of my favorite options.

Bold Print Wide Leg Pants

Wide leg pants are an easy way to wear bold colorful prints. Slip them on with a t-shirt or with a gauzy button down shirt with a French-tuck for summer. You can even wear these pants over your swimsuit as a cover up. These Emilio Pucci Wide Trousers for $780 are a fantastic investment piece that you will wear year after year. But you may feel better about investing a lot less in these Farm Rio Pleated Printed Satin Wide-leg Pants for $165, which by comparison, are a steal!

Emilio Pucci Wide Trouser, $780

Farm Rio Pleated Printed Satin Wide-leg Pants, $165

Colorful Floral Print Blouse

A floral blouse like this beautiful Stella McCartney Floral-Print Silk Crepe de Chine Blouse for $775 will never go out of style!
It is quite versatile, too. Wear it casually with jeans or dress it up with white pants for cocktails or wear it to work with a black pencil skirt or pants. Or you can get the same wardrobe mileage with this Mango Floral Print Ruffle Blouse for only $60.

Stella McCartney Floral-Print Silk Crepe de Chine Blouse, $775

Mango Floral Print Ruffle Blouse, $60

A Bold Zebra Print Dress

Bold, ovewrsized black and white prints are totally on trend for 2022, and a zebra print is a classic. This dramatic Tongoro Off-the-Shoulder Printed Georgette Maxi Dress for $365 will make quite an entrance, and you will feel comfortable with its loose and flowy styling. However, you can purchase this H&M Open-backed Dress in a zebra print for only $60. Because of its open back, I suggest wearing a black or white tank top or cami underneath it.

Tongoro Off-the-Shoulder Printed Georgette Maxi Dress, $365

H&M Open-backed Dress, $60

Colorblocked Printed Sneakers

These Chloe Nama Embroidered Suede and Recycled Mesh Sneakers for $785 are a super fun way to wear a colorful print. If you are a shoe collector, they are a must-have! But if you really don’t need them (but want them), you can spend a whole lot less and get a similar vibe with these Lucky-Step Sneakers from Amazon for only $31.

Chloe Nama Embroidered Suede and Recycled Mesh Sneakers, $795

Lucky-Step Sneakers, $30.99

Bold Print Watercolor Tote Bag

This Dries Van Noten Large Print Canvas Tote in a watercolor print is a work of art. It was $1,295 and now it is $777. That alone can be considered a steal for this collectible designer bag. But if you really want a steal, and want to save $732, you may like this AbstractTrendz Colorful Blue Pink Abstract Tie Dye Print Tote Bag for only $45.

Dries Van Noten Large Print Canvas Tote (Was $1,295), Now $777

AbstractTrendz Colorful Blue Pink Abstract Tie Dye Print Tote Bag, $45

Shop Colorful Fashion Prints for Summer

Do you like to wear bold and colorful summer prints? Do you like to splurge or steal?

You may also like to read 9 Of The Best Spring 2022 Fashion Trends for Women Over 40 and How To Wear Summer Tops for Women Over 50.

Sources: Vogue, Harpers Bazaar

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