Bold prints are everywhere this season. I mean, everywhere. Yep, I’m talking avocado on toast levels of popularity…! The best part is that they don’t have to feel tricky to wear – quite the opposite, in fact. For my second post in collaboration with Old Navy (check out the first on Two Ways To Wear Colorful Spring Tees), I’m sharing three #MakeYouSmileStyle ways to wear bold print shirts this summer. Click through after the jump to see each outfit in full.
The first look puts the pattern of the Above The Clouds shirt front and centre. By paring the shirt with a pair of soft-washed, solid Twill navy shorts it allows the pattern to pop as part of the whole outfit.
The bold cloud print of this shirt is small format and detailed, so it works to keep the look simple. Trying to pair a print such as this with another print would be tricky and risk looking jumbled. A silver watch with a clean face and mint hands is a subtle and stylish nod to one of the colors seen in the print.
Could these colors be anymore ME?! This is 100% #MakeYouSmileStyle right here…as you can see! I love how this outfit feels so fresh, summary and positive. Like a smile in an outfit, right?
Alright, next up for look two is layering a bold print shirt. Sticking to my favorite palette of blues and sandy-stone hues, I chose to layer a graphic navy shirt over a coastal print tank.
The white accents the white pattern of the shirt, while the waves reference the base color of the shirt, which pulls the two parts of the outfit together.
This look is perfect for those casual weekend coffee dates with pals. Layer up to start the day and as the mercury rises, you can dress down to the tank for boardwalk strolls and beach chill time. An iced coffee being a preferred by not necessary accessory…!
I rounded out this look with a pair of super comfortable linen shorts and classic boaters – the perfect duo to let the top of the outfit do the talking.
Remember this Instagram I posted from this shoot? Well, here’s the behind the scenes of me in action! Isn’t it fun how the print of the shirt pairs with the wallpaper of the coffee shop?
For the final look I was keen to show the versatility of wearing bold prints and so I took a 360 degree turn to demonstrate how to dress with pattern for sophisticated yet comfortable evening events.
This monochromatic look is made up of a tonal outfit that uses a black, white and grey palm print poplin shirt as it’s reference point. I dressed the shirt up by wearing these linen joggers – still comfortable enough for a hot summer evening, but also sophisticated and smart enough to work for an evening event. Slip on suede shoes in stone to carry the neutral theme through from head to toe.
I love how the palm print comes to life against the layered outfit of sand, black and white. A splash of tan in the watch casually sets the whole look off.
This white denim trucker jacket is going to be my summer go-to for evening layering. It marries with the shirt so.darn.well. LOVE! Which of these three looks is your favorite? How do you like to wear bold prints?
// Art direction by Will Taylor | Photography by Jean-Laurent Gaudy | Posted in partnership with Old Navy; all views my own.
20 Comments
Great style as always, and you looks so happy Will
Kim xox
@Kim – Thanks so much! I had a blast working on this post! xo
That monochrome look is sharp AF on you!
@Garret – Cheers, man!
I love how you paired the outfits with the interiors and colors. So smart! xo
@Jenna – I love that you noticed as it took so long to find the locations! 😉 Thanks so much!
I just emailed this to my husband and told him we’re hitting up old navy this weekend! Hahahaha! Great post! 🙂
@Tamron – Love that! Good work! 😉
killing it! gonna get a pair of those linen joggers.
@Ben – Thank you!
Hi Will…just started following you, great post. Wondering if you could direct me to any recent post/posts of yours where you talk about shoes for guys when they wear shorts…I’m struggling with this a bit,
@Larry – Welcome along, delighted to have you following! I don’t have any posts on that (yet!) but my advice is to let the style of your short be your lead. Wearing something tailored? Opt for a smarter shoe such as a loafer. If you are wearing something more casual then a deck shoe works well!
Was wondering where the slip on suede shoes in your final look were from?
@Mac – They are from ALDO!
I love these photos Will, great creative direction and you look so good!
@Karine – Thank you very much!
Hey, love the article. Could you do an article about your workout routine at some point. Your arms in that tank top are amazing! You wear it better than the model in the Website!
@Richard – Thank you, very kind of you to say! Sure, that’s a great idea for a post!
Love the jacket look! It tones down the shirt just enough to attend a more formal event.
@S&PD – Thank you!