GUEST POST: How to wear stripes

Today’s guest poster, freelance blogger Julia, shares some of her tips for how every fashionista can wear one of this season’s hottest trends… Stripes!

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Big or small, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, stripes are totally in this season! Curious to see what the trend looks like on you but don’t know how to wear them? If you don’t know where to start, take a look at these tips for ideas to get you started.

Don’t be scared of horizontal stripes
It’s a big fat myth that horizontal stripes make you look wider. We’ve always been told to shy away from this kind of stripe for this reason. If this is the only reason you’re not pulling on horizontally-striped apparel, it’s completely unfounded and shouldn’t keep you away any longer.

Pair stripes with a neutral color
If you want to play around with stripes but feel the need to play it safe, take your striped piece and wear it with a neutral. Wear a block-striped top with a tan or black skirt. Pair your striped dress with a solid, neutral-colored bag and shoes. You don’t have to go over the top in order to work this great trend.

Wear smaller stripes
Try out a smaller stripe, or even a pinstripe, if you are anxious to get into stripes this summer but aren’t ready to fully commit to large block stripes. A general rule to remember is that the smaller the stripe pattern is, the less flashy and bold it looks. Throw on a pinstriped scarf with your solid color outfit, or a pair of pinstriped shorts. Once you get your toes wet, you may be more inclined to step it up to larger stripes!

Mix stripes with patterns
For the daring fashionista, take your striped top and wear it with a floral or animal print skirt or visa versa. It’s a great look that’s sure to get attention and make you the trendiest girl in your group. Don’t be afraid to mismatch colors either. Wear your black and white striped top with a blue and purple floral skirt.

Learn from 70s style
If you’re feeling extra outrageous and want to go stripe-crazy, take a look at styles from the 70s to get ideas. From dresses with blocks of striped going both vertically and horizontally, to retrograde stripes (both thin and thick stripes), these ladies had it going on! Transport yourself back in time and be part of the fashion movement to bring the stripe-craze back.

Experiment with striped accessories
Whether your style is safe or daring, play around with striped accessories. Pair striped accessories with other striped fashions, or wear them with solid color clothing for a small, yet noticeable accent. There really isn’t a wrong way to wear striped shoes, bags, belts, and jewelry!

Now that you have some guidelines for how you can incorporate this summer’s trend into your wardrobe, it’s time to do what we do best: shop! There really isn’t a wrong way to wear stripes. Wear stripes in whatever way you feel comfortable – whether it’s a “glammed out” 70s maxi dress or a subtly pinstriped espadrille. Above all, be confident. Wear the stripes proudly, don’t let them wear you!

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About the author: Julia is a writer passionate about health, fitness & blogging. When she’s not running her dog she can sometimes be found writing about Sono Bello, cooking and a myriad of other topics.