We love a good print any time of the year, but perhaps especially in warmer weather. After all, summer is the time for punchy tropical prints, elegant garden party florals, daring geometric looks and all things gingham, seersucker and nautical-striped. They are some of the best prints of summer and fall.
What’s more, a good print can be exceptionally flattering. By creating movement around the body with a print you can highlight the curves and areas you want to emphasize or minimize. Plus patterns can distract the eye from any lumps or bumps that you don’t want to show off in a way that solid colors simply can’t accomplish.
The Best Prints of Summer and Fall
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Here are some of our favorite summer prints that you can wear right now and into fall:
Darkly Romantic Floral Prints
This Treasure & Bond black and ice blue floral tie-neck dress might be the perfect late summer frock for women over 50. It’s airy and breezy but still has long loose sleeves and a beautiful modern take on a classic floral print. On top of that the black background makes it nearly seasonless. The same goes for this black and ivory floral maxi from Banana Republic. This dress might be the perfect option for a late summer wedding or similar occasion as well.
Look for similar darker florals and airy, flowy silhouettes to evoke a similar feeling. With pieces like this, keep the accessories simple and modern unless you are purposely going for a witchy, Stevie Nicks-eqsue vibe. Or if you are, we definitely love that look too!
Tropical Prints With a Twist
A literal twist, in the case of this Farm Rio shirtdress. In general, however, a bright and cheerful tropical print dress done in a more covered-up silhouette looks modern for women over 50 (and anyone else who doesn’t want to go strapless, backless, or sleeveless). Tropical print palazzo or wide-leg pants are also a great way to wear this look, and no one does it like Lilly Pulitzer (pair pants like this with a fitted tee and big hoops or a flowy tank and a long pendant necklace to mix it up a little).
No matter what item you opt for, there’s definitely something about colorful prints like this that just makes us smile, and who wouldn’t want to bring a little bit of that joy to their closet?
Botanical Brilliance
While we love florals of all kinds, there’s something that’s a bit more elegant and grown-up about a botanical print. Plus, with everyone becoming a plant parent during the past few years, we’re hardly surprised that leaf prints like the one on this Banana Republic wrap dress are trending. We’re also loving this print blouse from Loft that combines tropical colors and botanical patterns. It just might be the perfect summer top to wear right now.
Contemporary Geometry
Color-blocking has had its moments and we can’t deny the power of using color to highlight our favorite features. Still, the geometric looks we’re into now have a more abstract or even organic feel, like this dress from The Marais or this Stradivarius shirt from ASOS.
Nautical Moments
Blue and white stripes always look fresh and classic for summer, and there are some great pieces that have some traditional nautical motifs or classic preppy aspects out right now. We’re fans of this casual sail cloth shirtdress from Madewell (or go for an even more affordable option from Croft & Barrow at Kohl’s and channel your inner young Betty Draper), or you could go for something more unorthodox with a pop of tomato red with this popover dress from Tuckernuck.
Why You Need Prints In Your Wardrobe
We think there’s almost nothing as flattering as a properly deployed print. And that a top or dress in your favorite print can end up being one of the real workhorses of your wardrobe.
Moreover, while trends in prints come and go, if you really love a particular type or style of print (say for instance, leopard print or polka dots), it should always be your rotation regardless of what’s popular. Make it your signature and stock up when your favorite patterns are in fashion.
Shop The Best Prints of Summer (and Fall)
Pictured above from left to right:
Treasure & Bond Tie Neck Shift Dress, $59
Banana Republic Fino Ramie Dress, now $59.97
Farm Rio Midnight Leaves Long Sleeve Maxi Dress, $275
Lilly Pulitzer 33″ Bal Harbour Palazzo Pant, $128
Banana Republic Ruffle Wrap Mini Dress, $99.97
Loft Botanical Henley Blouse, now $59.99
The Marais Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress, $180
Madewell Lakeline Shirtdress in Stripe, now $79.99
Kohl’s Women’s Croft & Barrow® Mixed-Stripe Shirtdress, now $23.99
Pomander Place Painterly Stripe Finley Flutter Sleeve Dress, $128
ASOS Stradivarius Shirt in Blue Geo Print, $33
What are your favorite prints this season or in general, or are you more of a solids type? Let us know in the comments or in our Growing Younger Facebook Group!
– Jacqueline Zenn
You may like to read more of Jacqueline’s styling tips like When Matchy-Matchy Is A Good Thing: Best Matching Sets For Summer and The Best Wide Leg Pants For Women Over 50.
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