Fashion trends in July InStyle and Lucky magazines feature hot prints for the summer. Go into stores and your eyes are bombarded with printed dresses, shirts, pants, bras, thongs, and anything else that can go over or on your body...and even Trader Joe's shopping bags! Prints can either be terrific on you, or really horrible...depending on the type of print and the way you accessorize it to relate to your unique personality and beauty.Only buy the print if you LOVE it.

Basically, keep in mind the following....

- Keep in mind the scale (Translation: size… whether small, medium, or large) of your facial features relative to the size of your face. The print should have a similar scale of print.

- Your personality plays an important role here. Match the print to your personality and mood. (Translation: A sensual, alluring, mysterious person would look ridiculous in a sweet floral print.)

July 2008 Lucky magazine pages 37 and 40 show some great prints to perk up your summer wardrobe. The question becomes, "What type of print to choose? The adorable Liberty House tiny floral prints on page 37 or the Moroccan exotic prints on page 40?"
If your heart draws you to the tiny Liberty House prints here’s what to keep in mind:

- Best if you have sweet, small-scale facial features (translation: delicate mouth, OR sweet little turned up nose, OR small eyes relative to your temple width)

- Your personality is light hearted, OR cute, OR sweet

- You prefer feminine and fresh looks rather than exotic, mysterious, or dangerous ones.

- Remember to keep in mind your natural coloring (or the color of your hair it is this month, week, or day.) Such as: Your hair is dark, and your skin in light or medium light… and you want to wear an all over light print. Then wear a dark belt (if you have a waist to show off) or dark sandals, in order to have the whole picture look like it belongs. If you DON’T wear something dark like your hair SOMEWHERE then we will experience the dress, and your head will look like it just got plopped on top.

- Likewise, if your hair and skin is light and you want to wear an all over dark print, then be sure to accessorize the dress in light colors or metals (that relate to the value of your hair)… and/or make sure the dark print is in a light weight fabric. (Just to make sure: The ‘value’ of something is how light or dark it is… white, and ivory are light; and navy, charcoal and black are dark…. most other colors are somewhere in between.)

Now, Go to page 40 to see the Moroccan prints. What makes these prints reminiscent of Morocco? It’s the bold geometric prints and sharp contrast of black and white, or brilliant color and white or black. There is nothing sweet, dainty or light hearted about these prints. That’s why they are a perfect statement for the larger boned, fuller featured (Translation: either large mouth, nose, eyes, or eyebrows) girl. …and It helps to have a strong or husky voice, and deep-set eyes that hint of mystery. Sorry, if you are a light blond, sweet, cute woman, this look isn’t your best. If you are drawn to, and choose to wear a Moroccan print, remember to AVOID romantic softly curled hairstyles. Straight, or slicked back, or braids, tell the same story as the Moroccan print. Scarf bands can be the added touch of the unexpected. Sassy little pumps or sandals don’t work with this Moroccan look. Best are embroidered flats.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR PRINTS

Helpful Hint #1:
When wearing a distinctive print let that print drive the style. Accessories, of jewelry and shoes need to relate to the character of the print. We get confused if there is more than one idea vying for attention. Morocco is Northern Africa where exotic flavors and mysterious customs exist. Delicate French flounces, and American Western boots could start a visual war between the nations.

Helpful Hint #2:
To test whether you can wear a print, or whether the print wears you, do the “Blink Test.” Stand about 7-10 feet in front of a full-length mirror. Face the mirror. Close your eyes and breathe deeply… clear your mind. Open your eyes briefly then close them again. What did you see first…. the dress or you? We want to experience the whole picture of you in that print dress. If the print is overpowering for you, then DO NOT buy that dress (or pant, or top).

Helpful Hint #3:
If you are unsure of the print even after the “blink test”, then place the dress, skirt, pant, shirt, or whatever on hold for one day. Sleep on the thought of it. If you wake up the next morning thinking about the beauty of the print and how sorry you will be if it does not reside in your closet, then it is probably a good print for you. You have to love a print in order to buy it. Remember: everyone is drawn to people places, and things that relate to his or her unique Body Signature (Translation: what makes you recognizable… as every flower is recognized by the form and shape of it’s petals and leaves, you are recognized by the shapes and size of your features and body.

Helpful Hint #4:
The truly great prints for you are those that in some way symbolize the best parts of your personality. Avoid a print that highlights a negative quality. (For instance: Wild horses galloping across the print, when you tend to move so quickly through life you leave a path of debris behind…both people and things; or a print of burning bushes and you suffer from a hot fiery temper.)

MORE NOTES ON PRINTS

A bold and brightly patterned dress (of say, large red & orange flowers, or large black and white stripes) will be great if any of the following fits your description:

-You have high contrast coloring that matches the high contrast of the print dress. (Light skin, dark hair; or dark skin, large eyes that show the whites of your eyes and/or large mouth that show sparkling white teeth)

- You have a bigger than life personality that can match the liveliness of the print

- You have a loud, clear voice that matches the clarity of the print