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The Ultimate Guide to Prints: Every Type of Print Explained, What to Buy & Where to Shop (UK & USA)

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Prints are a defining feature of fashion. From bold florals to delicate polka dots, prints can shape the entire feel of an outfit. But knowing which prints work best for your body shape, personal style, or even age group can make a huge difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down every major type of print, offer styling tips, explain what to buy and where—from UK high street favourites to US designer labels—and introduce Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool that matches your body to every store’s fit in real time.

 Every Type of Print, Explained

1. Florals

  • Types: Ditsy, abstract, oversized, tropical, vintage, photographic

  • Best for: Spring/summer styling, romantic or feminine looks

  • Style tip: Petite women should stick to small-scale prints, while taller or plus-size women can embrace bolder patterns for proportion.

2. Stripes

  • Types: Horizontal, vertical, pinstripe, nautical, rainbow

  • Best for: Elongating or adding structure

  • Style tip: Vertical stripes lengthen the body (ideal for petites), while horizontal stripes add volume to the upper or lower half—great for balancing proportions.

3. Polka Dots

  • Types: Small dots (classic), oversized dots (playful), irregular dots (artsy)

  • Best for: Timeless, vintage, or officewear looks

  • Style tip: Stick to monochrome or tonal palettes for elegance. Pair with a solid jacket to tone down large dots.

4. Checks and Plaids

  • Types: Gingham, tartan, buffalo, Prince of Wales

  • Best for: Autumn/winter layers, workwear, casual sets

  • Style tip: Gingham suits summer dresses; tartan works beautifully in skirts, trousers, and blazers.

5. Animal Prints

  • Types: Leopard, zebra, snake, tiger

  • Best for: Statement looks, layering, edgy styling

  • Style tip: Animal prints in neutral tones (beige, grey) are more wearable. Try a printed midi skirt with a black knit for effortless edge.

6. Geometric Prints

  • Types: Squares, triangles, abstracts, chevrons

  • Best for: Contemporary wardrobes, bold personalities

  • Style tip: Match angular shapes to tailored garments like blazers and trousers.

7. Tie-Dye & Watercolour

  • Types: Swirl, ombré, blurred florals

  • Best for: Boho and summer wardrobes

  • Style tip: Look for high-end fabrics or subtle versions of the print to avoid a costume feel.

8. Graphic Prints & Logos

  • Types: Typography, logos, digital art

  • Best for: Streetwear, Y2K, Gen-Z trends

  • Style tip: Pair printed tees or sweatshirts with structured denim to balance proportions.

👗 How to Style Prints for Your Body Shape

Hourglass:

  • Stick to balanced prints and belted styles to define the waist

  • Try wrap dresses in floral or polka dot prints

Pear:

  • Use prints on top to draw attention upward

  • Choose dark solid colours for bottoms with neutral geometric prints

Apple:

  • Opt for all-over small-scale prints or vertical stripes to elongate

  • Avoid prints that cluster around the tummy area

Rectangle:

  • Use bold prints and structure to create curves

  • Look for horizontal stripes or ruffles in printed designs

Petite:

  • Choose smaller, daintier prints in tighter placements

  • Vertical stripes help elongate your frame

🛍️ Where to Buy Prints – UK & USA High Street & Designer Options

🇬🇧 UK High Street Brands

  • Whistles – Bold botanical and geometric printed blouses

  • M&S – Ditsy florals, polka dot jumpsuits, and vintage-inspired prints

  • Nobody’s Child – Affordable printed dresses with sustainable values

  • Hobbs & Phase Eight – Abstract and placement floral prints for 40+ shoppers

  • River Island – Trend-led co-ords and printed trousers

Explore their fits via:

👉 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

👉 Finding Your Clothes Size – The Ultimate Guide

👉 What Size Am I in Next?

🇺🇸 US Retailers

  • Anthropologie – Painterly watercolour prints and boho maxis

  • J.Crew – Iconic stripes, ginghams, and abstract prints

  • Madewell – Earthy-toned prints in breezy fabrics

  • Tory Burch – Classic florals and logo print dresses

  • Farm Rio – Vibrant tropical and folkloric prints

Explore international sizing differences:

👉 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes – The Ultimate Guide

🌍 Designer & Luxury Brands

  • Zimmermann – Iconic floral prints and intricate detail

  • Etro – World-famous paisley and bohemian geometry

  • Versace – Maximalist baroque and animal prints

  • Diane von Furstenberg – Power prints for power dresses

  • Dries Van Noten – Abstract layering and deep colour palettes

🧵 Print Styling Tips from Stylists

  • Mixing Prints: Stay in the same colour family or contrast a bold and a subtle print

  • Start Small: New to prints? Try a scarf or bag before moving to statement dresses

  • Print + Solid Rule: Let one printed item shine—balance with neutrals

  • Shoes & Prints: Keep footwear tonal or neutral to avoid visual overload

  • Prints at Work: Choose tonal or structured prints (pinstripes, micro florals) in tailored cuts for office-appropriate style

📏 Print Fit & Sizing: The Missing Piece

Prints can add or reduce volume visually, so fit is everything. A too-loose dress may overwhelm your frame in print. Too-tight? The pattern can distort.

Yet every brand cuts differently. A size 10 in Hobbs may not fit the same as a 10 in River Island. That's where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

 What is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool, designed to match your exact measurements to the real fit of over 1,500 brands in real time. Whether you're buying printed dresses, statement shirts or wide-leg patterned trousers, Tellar ensures you shop the right size—no guesswork, no returns.

✅ How it Works:

  1. Measure your bust, waist and hips (or use an existing brand size)

  2. Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

  3. Instantly see your correct size in your chosen brand

  4. No downloads, no gimmicks—just accurate fit in your browser

📌 Get started: https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

Try the tool: https://tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/ Instruction on Posts

 BONUS: Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub

Beyond fit, Tellar.co.uk is also your go-to style advisor. With thousands of free posts written by stylists and fit experts, you’ll get:

  • Honest, independent brand reviews

  • Tips on dressing for your shape and age

  • Style breakdowns for high street and designer fashion

  • Full-length guides for outerwear, tailoring, denim, and more

Popular reads include:

📣 Follow Tellar for More Style & Sizing Advice

Connect for daily tips, fit science, trend alerts and wardrobe guides:

Final Thought

Prints aren’t just trendy—they’re timeless, expressive, and transformative. Whether you're drawn to romantic florals, clean stripes, or daring graphics, the key is proportion, palette, and perfect fit.

With Tellar.co.uk, you’ll always know which size to buy in any brand. Say goodbye to returns and hello to confident shopping.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

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