The trending prints to wear instead of florals this summer

By now, florals are practically synonymous with summer dressing.

But like The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly once said, florals aren’t exactly ‘groundbreaking’.

If you’re sick of wearing plain white or ditsy florals and want something less predictable – gingham, polka dots and unusual stripes are big patterns to sport this summer.

But what’s the best way to style them? British designers share their secrets on how you can revive retro prints and wear them well.

Gingham

This Fifties-inspired classic always returns in warm weather, but gingham can walk a fine line between being classic and twee. The trick is knowing where that line is.

“Gingham is such a timeless summer staple,” says fashion designer and podcaster Amanda Wakeley OBE, “but to keep it chic rather than childlike is pretty tough.

“Silhouettes need to be sleeker and stay away from a plethora of ruffles.” She recommends a streamlined top, balanced with grown-up accessories that elevate rather than embellish.

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Retro vintage

Nostalgic prints are a tricky one – as they can either feel cool and timeless or totally outdated. While the Eighties has made a comeback this year, the Mario Buatta-inspired chintz hasn’t quite re-entered fashion.

This season the runway has taken inspiration from the Seventies and Eighties rock scene, with animal prints in the form of snake, tiger and cow dominating collections.

“Personally, I love a striking animal print or bold retro,” says Wakeley.

“I have a soft spot for Seventies-inspired motifs – they remind me of my travels in Kenya and India,” says Macnamara.

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Polka dots

Once reserved purely for the Sloane ranger, the polka dot has been shaking off its preppy reputation and emerging with more fashion flair, cropping up on the runways of Valentino and Moschino in Eighties-inspired cocktail dresses and Mickey Mouse-sized dots on power-shouldered blazers.

“I adore them in monochrome palettes,” says Wakeley, who favours a dark navy or ivory as a base, “in either medium-sized or small dots is really sophisticated.

“[They] work particularly well printed on chiffons and lightweight fabrics which can be cut with volume and movement which adds an element of romance.”

Macnamara is drawn to understated tones too, “to keep them elegant, I prefer a smaller, scattered dot on a neutral background like cream, navy or soft chocolate,” she says. “A silk blouse or wrap dress in a mini-dot print can feel playful without being overpowering.”

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Bayadere and organic stripes

Stripes never really go away, but this summer, they’ve loosened up.

“This season, there is a layering of different scales of stripes and a use of more irregular stripes,” says Wakeley. “There’s a wonderful androgyny about wearing stripes – they’re striking, eye-catching, but timeless.”

While the Nineties bayadere stripe is making a comeback, “We’re also seeing more relaxed, irregular hand-drawn stripes which I love for a more artisanal, effortless feel,” says Macnamara.

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The most flattering prints

The question of what is ‘flattering’ often crops up when it comes to prints.

While you should wear whichever print you feel best in, some can work better than others.

“Paisleys tend to flatter all shapes,” says Wakeley, “I’d steer clear of overly large, bold prints if you’re feeling body-conscious.

“Smaller-scale prints can create movement and elongation.”

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How to print clash

The resurgence of Seventies-style print clashing can be very cool, but definitely requires a certain level of conviction.

“This is a ‘more is more’ trend,” says Wakeley. “There are no rules – so have fun and just go for it.”

But if you want a slightly more strategic approach, Macnamara says “the trick is to keep the colour palette consistent.

“Soft terracotta, blush, sand […] play with scale – pair a bold, larger print with a finer, more delicate one.”

For the uninitiated, she suggests starting small: “A printed blouse with a patterned scarf or headband can be a subtle way in.”