How to wear printed pants to work

Get more mileage out of your printed pants. Read on to find out how to rock those prints for the office!

By Alyssa Woo for The Straits Times - 21 Jul 2016

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How to style printed pants

Printed pants are not for the faint of heart because they can really make a really bold statement. While drawstring hipster Aztec prints were all the rage a few years ago, there are now a lot more choices in terms of prints and patterns as well as tailored silhouettes for work.

To get more mileage out of your printed pants, pick one in a colour that matches the rest of your wardrobe so that you have more outfit variations.

Here are some tips from Ms Renyung Ho, 30, co-founder of fashion brand Matter, on how to style printed pants:

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Go beyond the tank top

Contrast silhouettes and textures for an unexpected element, such as a black bodysuit with linen pants or a silk shirt with a chambray cotton piece.

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ The Law of Three

The Law of Three is about anchoring an outfit with a third accessory or item that ties two different pieces together. It could be a gold sandal with a monochrome top and bottom print, or a basket weave cross-body bag that connects your printed bottom and plain top.

Finding visual connections between a top and bottom with your third piece gels your whole outfit together.

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Challenge your style

If you have a minimalist style, go bold by pairing your plain T-shirt with a printed pair of pants. If you have a colourful wardrobe and like to push the envelope, style your printed pants with a printed top.

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ Dress it up

Style your asymmetrical pants with a dress shirt for a more formal look, or pair a flowy pair of pants with a silk blouse for a day-to-night look.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY FOR SOME OUTFIT SUGGESTIONS!

A version of this story was originally published in The Straits Times on July 21, 2016. For more stories like this, head to www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle.

Image: Showbit

UNCONVENTIONAL PRINTS

1/20

1. White crew neck tee, $99, future classics by Kapok and maroon pants with white face prints, $87 (usual price $290), Bimba Y Lola

The print on the pants may be unconventional, but it is versatile - dress it down with a plain T-shirt or dress it up with a white long-line blazer.

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

Image: ST Photo

UNCONVENTIONAL PRINTS

2/20

Mango Printed Cotton Trousers, $34.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

UNCONVENTIONAL PRINTS

3/20

Zara Printed Trousers, $19.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

UNCONVENTIONAL PRINTS

4/20

Free People Over and Under Printed Pants, $193.70

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

UNCONVENTIONAL PRINTS

5/20

River Island Wide Leg Scarf Print Trouser, $88.49

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

BOHEMIAN VIBES

6/20

2. Blue cropped sweater, $110.80, iROO and trousers with green leaf print, $34.90 (usual price $69.90), Mango

Pair a slouchy and textured cropped sweater with flowy trousers for a bohemian vibe.

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

Image: ST Photo

BOHEMIAN VIBES

7/20

B Ella Moss Pants – Edie, $167.50

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

BOHEMIAN VIBES

8/20

Zara Tie-Dye Jacquard Culottes, $39.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

BOHEMIAN VIBES

9/20

B Mango Flowy Printed Pants, $34.90 

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

BOHEMIAN VIBES

10/20

B Monki Printed Cropped Trouser, $ 55.31

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

TUCKED IN

11/20

3. Lace-up bodysuit, $49.90, H&M (available from mid-August) and cotton black and white pants in Raka Raven, US$119 (S$160), Matter

Show off the waist detail of these pants by tucking in your top or wearing a body suit.

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

Image: ST Photo

TUCKED IN

12/20

Mango Printed Baggy Trousers, $19.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

TUCKED IN

13/20

Zara Tie-Dye Trousers $39.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

TUCKED IN

14/20

Asos Floral Culottes with Straps, $77.43

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

TUCKED IN

15/20

River Island Tie Waist Culotte $77.43

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

COLOUR CO-ORDINATED

16/20

4. Blue cropped shirt, $45.90, Zara and drawstring pants, $490, Tory Burch

Dress up a plain collared shirt with printed pants. Unless you have a loud and anything-goes style, pick a top in a similar colour so that it will not clash with your bottom.

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

Image: ST Photo

COLOUR CO-ORDINATED

17/20

Mango Paisley Print Trousers, $47.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

COLOUR CO-ORDINATED

18/20

Zara Pajama-Style Trousers, $29.90

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

COLOUR CO-ORDINATED

19/20

Ted Baker Abirati Trousers in Magnolia Stripe Print, $285.37

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.

COLOUR CO-ORDINATED

20/20

Asos Floral Pyjama Trousers Co-Ord, $84.06

Want more styling tips? Read our story on 4 ways to wear the popular pleated skirt trend! For more stories on trends and styling, head over to our fashion section.