Have you met a stripe piece you didn't like?
The classic stripe is a girl’s best friend when it comes to patterns
via Pinterest
From breton to nautical, linear to graphic diagonals, the stripe pattern is the must-have motif to give your outfit added depth and visual interest. Whether your taste is classic, minimal, or eclectic, stripes are wardrobe-staples in every woman's closet.
The best part? They’re really the building blocks to your look. Whether you’re replenishing your assortment of wear-anywhere basics, planning to sprinkle a few nuanced knits and dresses into your outfit lineup, there is definitely something for everyone. So, line them up and work those lines.
But how do you work those lines in style? Here are some tips to get you started:
Choose the right stripe for you
If you want to visually elongate your body, choose vertical stripes, as they can make you look taller.
Horizontal stripes, however, make you look wider. So, the trick here is to look at the size of the stripes. While thicker stripes draw attention to the width of your body, thinner stripes (especially one in a lighter colour) tend to fade into your outfit.
For a brighter, but still-classic iteration of this trend, look to red and white stripes. Easily-wearable silhouettes like this scoop neck knit top will transcend seasons. Pair yours with white pants and sandals for that "French Riviera" vacation feel.
PRADA Contrast striped knit top
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A statement blazer is an easy way to breathe new life into your favourite jeans and top combos. This black-and-white striped jacket is a seriously chic way to take your smart-casual looks up a notch. Pair with dark denim skinny fit jeans, a basic silk camisole and heels for a foolproof date night look.
DOLCE & GABBANA Striped jacket
No stripe feels quite as quintessential with denim than blue and white stripes on a clean-cut top. Think of it as your perfect white T-shirt, but with a few horizontal lines for a preppy pop.
COMME DES GARÇONS Striped knit sweater
A striped dress, like this Missoni knitted number, takes the hassle away from mixing and matching. For effortless styling, we’d go with minimal sandals, and then layering on the jewellery for that stylish finish.
MISSONI Knitted striped dress
2. Think about the bottoms
One of the easiest and maybe the basic forms of wearing stripes is simply pairing a striped top with a pair of jeans. A loose-fitting top will be a wise choice for a curvy body. It’s also a good idea to wear a striped top with dark-coloured bottoms. Since stripes are the visuals to your outfit, you can break the tone down by choosing solid-coloured pants or jeans. If you have a curvy midsection, go for something with high-waist paired with a loose-fitting striped top.
3. Don’t be afraid of colours
If you're comfortable with the idea of stripes, consider injecting colour to your outfit mix. Black (or navy) and white is usually the most common pairing you’ll see in stripes (hello, breton!). This is because it is a combination that will always be safe and never goes out of trend. They will also look good on almost everyone.
We say, change up the look and stand out in something that has colours. But don't go rainbow from head-to-toe. Be sure to tone the look down with a dark-coloured piece.
So, there you go! Some easy tips to add stripes to your wardrobe if you don’t already have them. And for those of you who love your stripes, we want to know how you’re styling them! Let us know in the comments below!