I can’t say that I’m personally the biggest fan of prints - for some reason I lean towards SOLIDS - but there’s something really appealing about the pattern mixing seen all over the Fall/Winter 2008 runways (and how nice that we’re officially IN Fall/Winter - yes?). In between all that shiny black and the deep, deep jewel tones that kind of took charge of the season, clashing prints got airtime from Anna Sui to Chloe (above). When done correctly, it’s an insanely easy way to look both incredibly adventurous AND like you know what the fuck you’re doing. Seriously. It’s a bold move but the payoff is worth it.

The best examples I’ve seen of the trend have followed a few basic rules: the more tribal/ikat/ethnic the print, the easier this is to pull off (read: avoid any Match Game-y, 70s, Jerrell-from-Project-Runway type mixes); keep your prints roughly the same size (go large, a la the woman above left from Alta Mira NYC, or small, like Diane Kruger at the Tommy Hilfiger Spring 09 show); and most importantly, lean towards MUTED with your color choices. Primary or neon brights are aces for SUPER SUPER editorial spreads, but real life/the Fall season/your dignity all call for something a bit more subdued.

This pattern-mixing certainly isn’t confined to this season - the trend got its legs in Spring 08 (see: mixmaster Duru Olowu and the editorial rehashing of Balenciaga’s florals), and judging from the Spring 09 shows (Marc Jacobs and yesterday’s Dolce & Gabbana shows both amped up the clash, above) it seems that even if you’re not on board with it, there won’t be any lack of print-combining until at least this time next year. I think it’s a nice respite from all the black/grey/nude neutrals of the current and next season - what’s your take??

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