by Emmanuella

Part 2 - P R I N T S

I'm back again with my three part series on trends, prints and hot pecies to look out for this year. You can check out PART 1 HERE. Part two is all about the prints that I think are going to make a big impact in 2013, on the runways, in stores and in fashion magazines.

1. Tartan

Its safe to say that tartan print has never really gone out of fashion. You always see a tartan print scarfs about or little items with that pattern on. New york fashion week has already begun and london fashion week is looming and it looks like tartan is already making an appearance on the runways, in a BIG WAY. I seriously love the tartan print, as I think it stands out amazingly. It could be teamed perfectly with something plain to give it that extra pazaz or something out there for a dramatic affect. Power houses such as Chloe, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood are no strangers to the pattern, as it was features in their Fall/Winter 2012/2013 collection and received fantastic reviews from the audiences.

The tartan print first become popular in the days of King George IV, when he visted the Highlands and was welcomed by locals wearing kits, so this look has been around for many many years. Its amazing to see how the print has been changed and adapted to fit the times. It is clear to see that the print is no longer confined to a scotsmans kilt or a shoolgirls skirt. Any sort of bold tartan item really is a wardrobe must-have in 2013 and many celebrities have been spotted in the print.

Retail stores have also been affect by the beautiful pattern. Online retailers such as MissGuided have adapted to the trend and brought out some amazing tartan print pieces that are gorgeous and so on trend.

Here is a way that I would style the Tartan print.

I decided to keep everything other than the tartan item black. This was because I wanted all the emphasis to be on the gorgeous tartan shirt, which I actually have in real life and it looks amazing on. I thought I would go for high-wasited black denim jeans as high waisted items give you more of a figure. The accessories were kept to a minimum with just a plain gold watch. The bag and shoes give the outfit a grungey sort of feel whilst at the same time keeping it classic.

2. Botanical

The botanical print is really one to watch this year. I think it is going to be one of the main prints in 2013. Botanical is a new take on the whole floral prints that we were seeing plenty of last year. However this time round its much more bolder, brighter and bigger. Designers such as Stella McCartney, Dries Van Norton and Givinchy are incoprating this print into thier runway shows.

Many fashion houses for Men have brought the botanical trend on their runways too.

Here is one way I would style the Botanical print for a "night/evening out".

For the botanical look I decided to go for a pair of printed trousers. Printed trousers are really starting to make a huge comeback in the fashion realm, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to style both looks. I felt the peplum top really does the look justice, as its so flattering and stands out, yet it doesn't take much attention away from the bright trousers. I then looked at the outfit and decided the colour I wanted to draw out of the trousers, for the shoes and the clutch was nude. This was because nudes literally go with everything. They are so subtle, but they sounds out amazingly. Finally I again kept the accessories to a minimum, with plain pearl earrings and then I felt a bold pink was appropriate choice of colour for the lips, as it ties the whole look together.

3. Geometric

The final print I will be looking at is geometric. When I think of this pattern I think digital prints and shapes. I find it so amazing how technology has come so far and the amount of digital tools there are available in this day and age for fabric makers. I find geometric prints very structured, straight and bold. The Designers like Kenzo, Prada ,Michael Kors and Alexander Wang have started to incorporated this print into their S/S 2013 collections and I am loving it.

Again numerous male designers are using this print on many of their pieces for their SS/2013 collections and I love how bold some of these items are.

Here is a way I would style the Geometric print.

The main focus point of this outfit is the bright orange geometric jumper. I absolutely adore this jumper. It is gorgeous and the print really does scream on trend. I thought the added bright blue collar gave the jumper an edge, as it now doesn't look like your typical knitwear item. I then thought it would be a cool idea to see wether you guys thought the jumper would go with some leather trousers or a pleather skirt, as I would a little torn. I think they both can be rocked during the day or for an evening out, so which one would you pick? I then thought plain black converse ties this outfit together, as it gives it a more casual feel and that it would be a cute idea to add blue accessories, as it highlights the collar on the jumper. Then finally a plain rucksack gives the outfit its finishing touches.

Part 3 - H O T - P I E C E S...coming soon

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