What to Wear Above a Printed Pant

Outfit Details: Chloe Top (more sizes here), Alemais Pants (more sizes here), Jamie Haller Wedges (last seen here, similar here), Savette Bag (last seen here), Bottega Veneta Sunglasses

A printed pant may seem like it comes with styling rules, but I’d make a case for the opposite. The instinct is to go simple on top, something that stays out of the way, but a plain shirt doesn’t balance a printed pant. It just leaves the pant doing all the work alone.

The trick is matching the mood of the pant instead of retreating from it. If the print is a little retro, lean into that bohemian spirit with eyelet trim, or something with real movement to it. If it’s bold and abstract, meet it with an equally bright, unexpected color and a texture that has some weight to it, like a crushed satin.

There’s always more room in my closet for a softly cut romantic top. It’s the easiest thing to reach for over a printed pant. The pant brings the color and the eye-catching moment, but the blouse keeps everything lighter, airier, and ready for any plan.