Mixed prints

By now everyone from your li’l sis to your grandma has mastered colorblocking. Mixing prints, on the other hand, is a tad trickier. Thankfully the secret is surprisingly simple: find different sized patterns in the same color scheme. Finish it off with bold kicks for a put-together, not dressed-in-the-dark, look.

 

Rock Legend Top in White, $50, modcloth.com

Trousers, $23, hm.com

All over color

On the flipside, the monochromatic look works wonders, so long as you break up it up with different textures. For timid trendsetter, try pairing slightly different shades. For the fearless fashionista, wear the same hue from head-to-almost-toe with a punch of contrasting shoes.

 

Mint Melt Away Lace Blouse, $43, shopruche.com

Dream Skinny Jeans in Mint, $48, nastygal.com

Gimlet Flats, $35, piperlime.com

Blu Bjioux Gold Green Yellow and Blue Chandelier Earrings, $15, maxandchloe.com

Mismatched purse + shoes

Enough with the matchy-matchy, you say? We couldn’t agree more—especially when it comes to pumps and purses. Despite what old-school fashionistas proclaim, your shoes do not need to match your clutch in the slightest bit. Same goes for belts. Really, any color or print pairing goes, so long as it’s fab and fun.

 

Full Tilt Chambray Womens Shirt, $27, tillys.com

Accordion to You Skirt, $33, modcloth.com

Gabriella Rocha Sammy, $39, zappos.com

Flat Leopard Print Clutch, $20, charoletterusse.com

Black + brown

Chocolate? Yup. Chestnut? Uh huh. Nude? You bet. Believe it or not, they all go with black. To make it work, pick a brown that’s noticeably different from black. Highlight the contrasting shades by mixing up the materials, like leather and knits. Too easy not to try.

 

Jacket, $46, hm.com

AE Cabled Sweater, $20, ae.com

Light Brown Suedette Buckle Ankle Boots, $43, newlook.com

Navy + black

Gasp, not navy and black! Oh yes, we went there. Take a deep breath and repeat after us: Navy and black do go together. Just like with brown and black, the key is combining non-identical shades in distinct textures or patterns. Black lace tights with suede navy Mary-Janes? Don’t mind if we do!

 

Navy Ottoman Scoop Neck Dress, $21, dorothyperkins.com

AIntarsia Spot Cardigan in Black, $46, johnlewis.com

Full Tilt Daisy Tights, $18, tillys.com