How to Wear Stripes
Mischa Barton
Q: I love to keep up with the trends. And for spring, the one that's really caught my eye is stripes. I'm just afraid I look like a clown when I wear such prints. How can I wear them and still look chic?
A: When paired with the right pieces, stripes can really enhance your figure and keep you looking up-to-date. On the runways this season, designers were mixing wide and thin stripes or pairing stripes with florals; such matchups generally don't work for day-to-day looks. The key to wearing stripes in the real world is to always wear just one print matched with a solid. For example, a vertically striped blouse looks great with white trousers or jeans. Vertically striped pants or skirts can make you look taller and in style when worn with a solid-colored tee. For dresses, avoid horizontal stripes that widen your shape -- unless you have a boyish figure and need to create some curves.
