From Bold Stripes to Vacation Florals, These Are the Only Prints That Matter

As the colder days start to fade away, that only means we start to keep our eyes on the upcoming season. Just last year, the S/S 22 runways offered us a peek of what's to come, and needless to say, we're already daydreaming about the trends that await us. From classic stripes to funky, retro ripples that will evoke serotonin immediately, these patterns are poised to take over our feeds (some already are.)

If you're none one to consider prints in your wardrobe, the five below might just change your mind. These patterns are chockfull of personality and exuberant detail, making any outfit one to turn heads and rake in compliments. With that, keep scrolling below to see the five prints we're predicting every fashion girl will be clinging to come spring. 

1. Stripes Galore

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Balmain)

By no means are stripes new to the fashion scene, but they're currently more popular than ever. Black-and-white stripes were seen heavily on the runways in a bold and dominating way that'll make you rethink the print as boring. If you're one who usually doesn't opt for prints, this is the one for you. Whether it's in a simple sweater or a bold vacation dress, it will add a point of interest to your outfit.

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2. Vacation Prints

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(Image credit: Courtesy of ACNE Studios)

Spring is the start of warmer weather, so it's no shock that vacation-esque prints showed up in droves. Consider it fashion's good-bye to the dreary winter days and hello to the warmer days and OOO emails ahead. Designers like Anna Sui, Kim Shui, and Paco Rabanne featured heavily saturated tropical designs on a variety of pieces from matching sets to beach-ready dresses. Give this trend a go if you're ready to request that time off. 

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3. Retro Fusion

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Brandon Maxwell)

We've been seeing retro prints pop up on the fashion scene in a few different iterations, but this season calls for the trend in all kinds of forms. From the ripple effect to geometric shapes, designers like Brandon Maxwell made a case for the '60s and '70s-era patterns in bold and saturated pieces.

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4. Tea Party Florals

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Prabal Gurung)

Indeed, you can always count on a floral pattern of some sort to make an appearance around this time of year, and for this season, we're taking a trip to your grandma's house. Instead of being punchy and saturated, this type of floral is subtle, spread out, and looks like something you'd find on a vintage quilt. Brands like Markarian always feature a romantic reference, but other designers like Marine Serre and Prabal Gurung also brought the tea-set floral print to life in the form of pouf-sleeve jackets, cinched dresses, and bustier tops. 

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5. Grunge Plaid

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coach)

With grunge and pop-punk aesthetics back on the rise with Gen Z, many designers took note by including plaid on their runways. Not just any plaid, but a darker version that's usually distressed-looking. While this pattern may be considered a classic, the versions sent down the runways of Coach and Monse exuded a demure edginess that invoke your inner angsty teen. Whether you choose to take the nostalgic trip, plaid is a print that many won't be passing on this season.

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Next: The Internet Has Spoken: These Are the Fashion Aesthetics to Know Right Now

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.