• Men's Fashion Guides

How To Wear Prints This Summer

Well-worn advice to ‘wear prints in summer’ is not only vague, but lazy. Menswear is, after all, awash with a multitude of different prints and patterns that encompasses everything from food packaging to the animal kingdom. So endorsements like “umm, yeah, prints man” from your local men’s fashion week hanger-on is just plain unhelpful (and annoyingly unclear). Simply extolling the benefits of wearing prints doesn’t answer questions on which ones to wear or how to go about actually wearing them, nor does it shed any light on the variables – not everyone can pull off a pastel oversized giraffe print sweatshirt when your build, skin tone and even confidence levels play a big part in making it a success. So we’ve asked the menswear gurus to share their secrets for putting prints into play. But first, a few words on how the big-name brands are doing it…

On The Runway

The SS16 menswear runways were alight with prints: the busier, the better. Gucci‘s show was a highlight, with 1960s savant Alessandro Michele sending vibrant floral tailoring and geometric print outerwear down the catwalk. Meanwhile, Loewe took a more graphic approach with anime motifs covering everything from tees and shorts to jackets and jumpers – all in stark white and red or white and blue palettes. Elsewhere, at Louis Vuitton, the art of graphic novels gave way to something more painterly, with flecked brushstrokes adorning outerwear and shorts. Like Gucci, Louis Vuitton showed its green fingers via handpainted floral silk shirts, shorts and this season’s sleeper hit: souvenir jackets. Not all designers took their cue from fine art, though. Christopher Kane co-opted the white noise of a broken television and applied it across everything from long sheer raincoats to oversized box tees and joggers. Varying thicknesses and lines were used but his message was clear: white noise is more than just a loose input wire.

Caught Short

“Printed shorts let you channel this season’s colourways without requiring too much thought,” stylist Jenna Riddle explains. “A tailored cut that finishes above the knee is a flattering choice that is a quick sartorial fix.” A Riviera-worthy print – stripes or a classic microprint – is the easiest way to go, but bold graphics and florals are more than suitable. “Pair with a neutral Cuban collar shirt or boxy white tee and plain sneaks,” says Riddle. “If you’re feeling a bit more formal, feel free to tuck your shirt tails in with a loosely neat finish.” Fancy getting more bang for your buck? Invest in printed tailored swim shorts that can double up in your everyday wardrobe – and remember that the same rules apply. (Related: 5 go-to ways to wear shorts this summer)

Key Pieces

• Minimum Floral Shorts
• Reclaimed Vintage Shorts In Floral Print
• J. Crew 9 Stanton Short In Large Frond
• River Island Blue Oxford Hawaiian Print Slim Fit Shorts
• Zara Floral Loafers

Final Word

Think you could be the next Prints Charming? Or prefer the one block-colour role? Drop us a line below.

Murray Clark