Must Have Fashion Print For Summer Style • Making Midlife Matter

Stripped clothing and accessories are wardrobe staples – there are so many ways to wear them! Whether you want to look thinner by wearing vertical stripes or stand out with a zebra print wallet, there’s always a reason to have some stripes in your closet.

Today, I want to take a minute to talk about my personal love of stripes and hand out some great tips on how to wear them. With stripes, you can rock any look – just like Mademoiselle Chanel herself!

When Did Stripes Become So Popular?

Stripes have been ruling the fashion world for over 150 years – but they weren’t always this trendy. In Medieval times, wearing stripes was punishable by imprisonment or even death. Back in those days, it was associated with prostitutes, clowns, hangmen and prisoners, all people who were highly looked down upon. It was only in the mid-19th century that stripes became more acceptable to wear. This may be due to the fact that the French Navy wore uniforms with 21 stripes on them, with each stripe representing one of Napoleon’s victories.

When Coco Chanel visited the French Riviera, she saw these uniforms and became inspired. Once she started wearing stripes, the print simply took off. Elite men and women in different disciplines started sporting stripes, including artist Andy Warhol, actress Marilyn Monroe, and singer Kurt Cobain. The stripes showed no gender discrimination and became a style staple for men and women alike.

Today, stripes are a versatile print that can be fancy or casual. They pair well most clothing materials, and you can even pair them with other prints and patterns. Even if you only own one striped item, you’re already well on your way to building some new outfits! Here are five ways you can style your stripes this summer:

Casual Yet Classy

Not every summer day brings high heat and humidity! On milder days, you’ll likely want to throw a light jacket over your striped tank top. Pair it with black denim pants and sandals that match your shirt. While this outfit uses a blue and white top, you can swap out the blue for another colour.

A Fun Beach Pattern

This dress has both vertical and diagonal stripes, which helps to create a flattering silhouette. Since there are multiple colours in the dress, you have more options when paring your accessories. Consider wearing a neutral-coloured beach cover-up as the temperature drops, along with a floppy hat to protect yourself from the sun. Don’t forget to grab a striped beach bag – you can use it all summer long to add stripes to any outfit!

Stripes for a Summer Party

Don’t buy a new dress for that upcoming summer party – just wear the striped sundress you wear to the beach! A thick black belt at the waistline shows off your curves, and a pair of platform shoes can give you some extra height (without sacrificing as much comfort as you would with heels). Since most dresses don’t have pockets, use a cross-body bag to hold your phone, money, and cards. If you’re prone to losing your bag or wallet, wearing it across your body is a great way to keep your stuff by your side!

Repurpose Your Pinstripes

If your work wardrobe includes a pair of pinstripe pants, incorporate them into your everyday outfits. Since most pinstripes are very thin, it’s easy to pair them with other prints. If you’re feeling bold, try wearing a top with a subtle plaid print (like the one in this outfit). As you create new casual look with your pants, you may even discover some that you can wear to work, too!

Keep it Subtle

All it takes to add some stripes to your outfit is one simple accessory. Even if you’re just wearing jeans and a T-shirt, you can pair it with a striped bag when you leave the house. This bag isn’t covered in stripes, but it still ties this outfit together!

Whether you like to go bold or keep things simple, you can add stripes into your everyday wardrobe. This iconic print can be worn so many ways, so you’re bound to find a piece that you adore. This summer, take some fashion advice from last century’s fashion icons!