ANM Style Guide: How to Pull Off Printed Pants

Want to know how to get a leg up on looking super fashionable and trendy? Try a printed pant please! This trend, although not new, has continued throughout this fall/ winter and will keep going through Spring 2013, so you better get your print on! Geometric, flower, jacquard, and animal print pants can create both casual and dressy bold outfits that have that added punch that will have people turning heads… and believe me it will be in a good way.

I know what you are thinking, NO WAY! I have no idea how to make these pants look good, they will not be flattering on me, I will look like a clown, blah, blah, blah…. But you are wrong! If you wear them properly and you heed my advice below, you will hit a whole new level of fashion-forward.

This season there are printed pants in all different shapes, colors, and sizes. Obviously some are more Oh my print! than others, but there are so many options, both subtle and bold, that I am certain that you will be able to find one that will have you saying printed pants please!

Before we create some looks, let’s discuss things to be mindful of in order to pull off printed pants perfectly.

SHAPE: The printed pants available this season range anywhere from tight leggings to large flowy “pajama” pants. While more fitted leggings, jeans, and trousers will do a good job of showing off all your lower assets, more flowy printed pants can help those who are not perfectly pleased with their bottom half. Additionally, these larger flowy pants can create the illusion of height for us shorties out there when paired with the right heel. Just remember this rule of thumb: balance is key: if you’re wearing a tight pant then try a looser top. The same holds true the other way: more flowy bottoms are best paired with tighter, more structured tops.

PRINT: There are so many prints to choose from this season that it is hard to know where to start. Although some prints may look beautiful, they may not be the best print for you, or the best way to flatter your figure.

If you want to create the illusion that you are longer and slimmer (and I don’t know one girl or woman who doesn’t), try choosing a print that runs vertical. If you have a little junk in that trunk then horizontal, tightly spaced prints, both big and small, with little background showing are a flattering option. More background creates the appearance that the area is bigger than it may seem (and I know none of you want to look any bigger than you actually are). Less background–especially with oversized, tightly spaced prints–are flattering because they can work to hide some of those problem areas.

If you are a shorty like me, opt for a smaller, closely spaced print rather than a larger closely spaced print… we just don’t have enough leg to show off enough of the print and flatter our legs to their full potential.

COLOR: The past couple seasons we have seen pants in literally every single color, and the range of color in printed pants are no different. Obviously the brighter and more colorful the print, the more attention grabbing the pant will be. Limiting color is a great way to add print in a more subtle way. Both monochrome prints and black and white prints can achieve a more subtle printed pant look, but still have the ability to add some punch to your trendy printed pant outfit.

There is no doubt that wearing a printed pant is kinda like putting a large sticker on your legs, butt, and thighs that says LOOK AT ME, which is why you need to find the right print pants for your shape and comfort level. Follow the tips above to find the right pant for you and look below for some print-spiration on how to style these pants.

Now let’s see how bold can you go?

Bold-ish: If hesitant to add printed pants to your wardrobe, these Current/Elliot The Ankle Skinny lace-print low-rise jeans are a perfect way to jump into the print pool and add just a hint of print to that outfit. A dark monochrome wallpaper-like/ all over print like this is super flattering for your legs and adds just enough print to try out this trend. When hesitant, it is best to stick to pants styles that you already are comfortable with, another reason skinny printed jeans are an easy start. Paired with this fun purple French Connection sweater, this casual, yet fun look will have you starting your print addiction in no time!

Pants: Current/Elliot Lace-Print Skinny Jeans ($218); Sweater: French Connection Lyndsey Knits Jumper ($98); Boots: Madison Harding Miller Cowboy Ankle Boot ($231); Bag: The Cambridge Satchel Company Metallic Satchel ($205); Necklace: Dolly Bow Bow Hamsa Hand Necklace ($14); Cuff: Reiss Felix Chain Detail Cuff ($95); Bracelet: Balenciaga Giant Rose Gold Bracelet Stud Cassis ($245); Bangle: House of Harlow 1960 Aztec Bangle ($80); Leather Cuff: Paige Novick Mini Carla Cuff ($450)

A Lil Bit Bolder : Two items in my wardrobe I could never do without: a denim chambray shirt and leggings. Why opt for the plain black legging when you can have printed ones? These aztec print black and white leggings can turn my simple and comfortable go-to no-thought outfit into one that is more trendy and fun! Since the print of these leggings runs vertical it can help create the illusion that you are longer and slimmer, but remember these are leggings not pants… and leggings are not forgiving at all. Wear a looser top to balance these tight bottoms. To ensure I am comfortable throughout the day with how my thighs and butt look in leggings, I try to pair my leggings with a longer shirt for more coverage… you may lose a little print, but you will feel more comfortable and look a whole lot better!

Leggings: Glamorous Aztec Leggings ($25); Shirt: MiH Jeans Oversized Chambray Shirt ($192); Sweater: Black Long Sleeve Hollow Pockets Cardigan Sweater ($36); Bag: Big Buddha ‘Perry’ Shoulder Bag, $99; Shoes: ASH Titanic Ankle Boot ($425); Watch: Sara Designs Silver All Chain Small Face Wrap Watch ($268); Spike Bracelet: Topshop Two Tone Spike Bracelet ($20); Chain Bracelet: Suede Cord Chain Bracelet ($13); Bangle: Zekes Zipper Bangle ($20)

Bold: I will admit that I love leopard print and I own an absurd amount of leopard print clothing and items… it is a bit of a problem. Obviously my first printed pant purchase this season were leopard print pants. Now while I know some think that leopard print is super bold and daring to wear, I tend to think of it as a neutral or even the next black. I will say that even for a leopard enthusiast such as myself, these Paul and Joe Wide Leg leopard print pants are BOLD. There is just a lot of pant and a lot of leopard print. The way to pull off this look is to make sure you are wearing a tight or more structured shirt to contrast the looseness of the pant. The good thing is that these looser pants will do a good job of flattering your lower half, especially since the print is tightly spaced. Add some cute heels and a pop of color and you have a bold leopard and printed pant look to wear out on the town!

Pants: Paul and Joe Leopard Wide Leg Pants ($476); Tank: T Alexander Wang Sheer Tank ($94); Jacket: Scotch & Soda Boucle Wool Short Jacket ($215); Shoes: Carvela Samba Burgundy Pointed Boots ($185); Zara Studded Bag With Chain Straps ($90); Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 Triangle Collar Necklace ($70); Bangle: House Of Harlow Gold Crystal Pave Bangle ($155); Cuff: C. Wonder Pyramid Stud Cuff, $58

Bolder: Every item from the brand Clover Canyon play up color and bold patterns big time, so any item you choose from their fabulous printed line is sure to make a statement. These Clover Canyon Galaxy Glass Pants are no different. The bold colors, pattern, and fun drawstring shape will make your outfit a show-stopper no matter what you pair along with it. So if you are going to get some serious print on, might as well go bolder by pairing it with this A.L.C blouse and color blocked Tibi blazer. The look is colorful, bold, yet still sophisticated and flattering!

Pants: Clover Canyon Galaxy Glass Pant ($215); Top: A.L.C. Nette Silk Chiffon Top ($445); Jacket: TIBI Tuxedo Jacket ($485); Bag: La Regale Bugle Beaded Fold-Over Clutch ($98); Dolce Vita Gretchen ($99); Bangle: Alexis Bittar Skinny Tapered Bangle ($65); Purple Turquoise and Sterling Butterfly Ring ($100)

Boldest: Now you may ask, how do you get even bolder than extreme patterns and vivid colors… the answer print on print! Print on print is a very difficult to get right, but when you do everyone will recognize instantaneously that you are a true fashionista… I mean you will be hard to miss in these bright DKNY pants and Miu Miu top. The key to mixing prints in this outfit is that the print share similar colors. The similar colors help blend the two prints to create a fabulous look! I know this looks intimidating… but why not be the boldest you can be?