How to Treat Two Color Prints Like Solids

By Bridgetteraes @BridgetteRaes

Two color prints, especially ones that have white grounds, can be treated like solids which enables you to match a variety colors with them to create different looks. By having this flexibility, you can get more with less and easily change up your outfits without a closet full of clothes while also avoiding looking too matchy-matchy. In today's post I am going to show you how you can treat some of your favorite two color prints like solid colors. Below are five different two color prints to show how you can try it with your own wardrobe.

How to Treat Two Color Prints Like Solids

Outfit #1

Using this versatile navy and white wrap dress from Boden, I treated it like a solid navy dress and added these orange heeled sandals from Anthropologie to give the outfit a punch of color. Finishing the look, I used this navy bag from Vince Camuto and gold layered necklace from Stella & Dot.

The key to treating two color prints like a solid color is to choose coordinating pieces that match back to the color in the print. Seeing that this dress is navy and white, and navy is a neutral, any accent shade can be added, not just orange. Try a pair of shoes, handbag or necklace in colors like, a green, yellow, pink, soft blue, lavender, and more. The colors are limitless.

Outfit #2

If you have coloring that is bold enough to wear black and white near your face, you can really pair any color with this Modcloth zig zag printed top. Here, for example, I added a pair of red jeans, but any color will work. Finishing the look, I used these silver flat sandals from Tommy Hilfiger, a black bag from she + lo and black stud earrings.

Outfit #3

It may seem easier to add color to two color prints that are neutral and white, like the previous two outfit, but trickier when adding color to prints that aren't neutral, like this green and white fern print in this jumpsuit from J. Crew. While the options may be a bit more limited, the approach is still the same- use colors that coordinate with the colors in the prints. Green being a versatile shade, there are may options that could be paired with this jumpsuit. Here, I used these pink Havaianas, but if you don't like pink, no worries, add any color you want.

For this summer look, that could be great for vacation or just casual weekends, I finished this outfit with a white cross body bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, a denim jacket, summer hat from Modcloth, Michael Kors sunglasses and gold and white chandelier earrings from Bloomingdales.

Outfit #4

With this cute little summer dress from Tory Burch, I added small splashes of blue through the Lonna & Lilly blue agate earrings and MICHAEL Michael Kors handbag. Finishing the look, I found these silver and yellow flats from Boden that work perfectly with the dress without looking too matchy-matchy.

Outfit #5

This T Tahari skirt in coral and white is a fun way to wear a professional skirt in a print for the summer. But you might be confused about what to do with it. Do you seek out a coral top that matches the coral in the skirt? If this feels like a fool's errand, or too matchy-matchy, just look for colors that work with coral. Here, I added this green t-shirt and layered a sleeveless Theory trench jacket in navy over it. Finishing the look, I used these nude strappy wedges from Sam Edelman, a coral bag from Brahmin, and gold earrings from Max & Chloe and bracelet from Nordstrom.

See your two color summer prints as solid ones and have fun with all the accent and pop shades you can wear with them.