Prints are in! Both old and contemporary print patterns are trending. Classics like Polka dot, Paisley, Tartan, and Chevron, were already featuring in designs by late 2012.

This year seems to be the year when African & African inspired prints truly go mainstream! (it’s been in the making for years now) [Check out the buzz on Duro Olowo’s Ready-to-Wear line for JCPenney]

Beaded jewellery look great on print fabrics. However, there’re a few things to consider when choosing which accessories to pair with what print. Here are some tips for finding a combination that works.

–1–

Choose to match the colour scheme of the print fabric. Beaded jewellery that are monochrome (one colour in different shades) or jewellery that have analogous (similar) colours, are ideal. These palettes blend in by evoking one colour, contributing to the harmony of an ensemble.

–2–

Choose jewellery to contrast with the main colour or tone of the fabric. The trick here is to aim for  harmonious contrast. The beauty of contrast explains why Golden and Silver jewellery are a popular choice with people who wear African prints.

Ankara fabrics tend to have deep, strong colours. And bright beaded jewellery can work just as well as classic metallics when you need accessories to contrast with this kind of print.

–3–

If your print fabric has a strong, colourful palette, you should avoid wearing beaded jewellery that add new, strong colours to the mix.

An over-abundance of colour can be overwhelming at best or chaotic at worst. Neither of these is desirable.

–4–

Finally, choose your prints wisely! No one would want to overhaul her wardrobe on account of one piece of jewellery. So too, few would want to re-invent their jewellery suites to accommodate a few new items of clothing.

Be adventurous with fashion but always have a plan!

Conclusion

Truth be told, the rules for combining prints and fabrics are being re-written. This affects how we combine jewellery too.  Colour Riot and Colour Clash are no longer fringe trends. These trends make us broaden our aesthetic impressions of what works in fashion.  So, bear these rules in mind and don’t hesitate to wear what your want how you want.