Diary of a Pattern Lover—These 6 Prints Are Going to Be Everywhere in 2023

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(Image credit: @annawinck; @himichelleli)

Patterns always make for the most fun looks, in my maximal-dressing opinion. But they are admittedly harder to wear and style. There are evergreen patterns like leopard, florals, plaid, stripes, and polka dots, but these get trendy updates season after season. For 2023, some of your favorite patterns have evolved, and I’ve pulled the best of these for your maximalist shopping pleasure. 

Designers update these mainstay patterns for collections, and spring/summer 2023 was no exception. Some of the prints I saw on the runways were tropical florals, colorful checkers, and rainbow stripes among others. These vibrant prints are always a playful closet addition, even if you wear them more minimally with basics. Ahead, I’ve picked the top prints for 2023 and the best items to shop them now

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This futuristic-feeling graphic polka dot originated in Jean Paul Gaultier's 1995 Mad Maxette collection. He has revived the print, and it has quickly become synonymous with cool, contemporary dressing.

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Designers like Christopher John Rogers have championed this rainbow-stripe era. Bright statement dressing is the way to go in 2023 whether it be on a sweater, a dress, or hot pants.

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(Image credit: @ninasandbech; @greceghanem; @lisafolawiyo)

Florals are always in, but this vibrant, tropical floral is, dare I say, groundbreaking for 2023. Vacation-wear is loading quickly with this vivid, zany print.

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(Image credit: @champagnemani; @lindatol_; @flex.mami)

Sophisticated pinstripe is a welcome update to tailored suiting. It has a cool retro feel and aligns with the menswear and unisex dressing that has become the tentpole for modern style.

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With the onslaught of the cargo-pant trend, traditional camouflage is also having its moment. Whether in expected baggy cargoes, statement outerwear, or trending baseball caps, camouflage will be a definite trend in the New Year.

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem; @alyssainthecity; @karodall)

Graphic checker print was a huge 2021 trend in classic black and white. This upcoming year, the print has descended into colorful variations, making it the perfect spring and summer purchase.

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Next: Winter's Biggest Print Trends Will Tempt You to Ditch Your All-Black Outfits

Copelyn Bengel
Associate Shopping Editor

Copelyn is the associate shopping editor for Who What Wear based in New York City. She writes about fashion and accessory trends in addition to creating original content.

Before her time at Who What Wear, Copelyn was at Bustle Digital Group working on the accessory market for cover shoots and fashion features across Nylon, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Romper, and Elite Daily. Copelyn has also previously worked at InStyle and Cosmopolitan in the fashion and accessory departments on shopping and fashion market.

Copelyn has a journalism degree in editing and graphic design from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Copelyn freelances in graphic and web design in the fashion-and-lifestyle space. She also loves to upcycle clothing and home décor as well as collect an embarrassing number of colorful sneakers and experiment with her hair color.