Print shirt for men: this is how you combine prints without it becoming too busy

How do you combine a print shirt as a man? The most important thing is balance. A print shirt can be the eye-catcher of an outfit, but it doesn't have to be flashy. Choose the rest of your clothes based on color, scale and formality of the print and the combination will become much easier.

What types of print shirts are there?

Print shirts include many different patterns. Some are classic and calm, others clearly vintage or pronounced.

• Paisley: recognizable by curved drop-shaped motifs and often strong in vintage combinations.
• Floral prints: from small flowers to large 70s designs.
• Geometric: lines, blocks, circles and abstract shapes.
• Abstract: free patterns that are especially common in 70's, 80's and 90's clothing.
• Stripes and checks: technically also patterns, but often easier to wear for business.

Start with one color from the print

The easiest way to combine a print shirt is to use one color from the pattern in trousers, waistcoat or jacket. This creates cohesion without everything having to be exactly the same color.

For example, does the shirt have rust, cream and dark blue? Then dark blue trousers or brown jacket can make the print much calmer.

Print shirt with jeans

Simple jeans are almost always a good basis. Dark blue, medium blue, black or gray works with many prints. The busier the shirt, the calmer the jeans can usually be.

A distinct vintage print over simple straight jeans and a dress shoe is often enough for a strong outfit.

Print shirt with trousers

With trousers the shirt becomes dressier. Choose plain pants that support one of the colors in the print. Brown, gray, dark blue, cream and olive green are versatile.

Trousers make floral, paisley and geometric prints in particular less festive and more mature.

Print shirt under a jacket

A plain jacket is the simplest combination. The jacket covers a large part of the print, leaving only the front and collar visible.

A print shirt can also work with a checked jacket, but make sure the patterns differ in scale. A large check with a small subtle print is usually easier than two large patterns next to each other.

Print shirt with waistcoat

A waistcoat has the same soothing effect as a jacket, but shows more of the sleeves and collar. This works especially well with 70s shirts with a large pointed collar.

With a busy shirt, you prefer to choose a plain or quiet waistcoat. With a subtle print, the waistcoat may have more texture or checks.

Which print works formally?

The smaller and calmer the pattern, the easier a shirt is to wear formally. Fine stripes, small geometric patterns or subtle motifs often work better under a suit than a large psychedelic design.

That does not mean that a striking print can never look neat. The occasion determines how much space you have.

Print shirt with tie

A tie on a print shirt requires a little more attention. Preferably choose a tie with a different scale level than the pattern of the shirt and have a color recurring.

For a very busy shirt, a plain tie often the safest choice.

Vintage print shirts

Vintage prints often have color combinations and designs that you see less often in modern collections. 70s shirts in particular can have large floral, paisley and geometric patterns.

A striking print does not prove that a shirt is old. Label, cut, collar, finish and material indication must together support the story.

Therefore also read how to recognize vintage 70s shirts.

Wear the print shirt casual

Wear the shirt open at the neck, possibly with rolled up sleeves, and combine with jeans or chinos. Loose over the trousers can work well with a roomy vintage model; a longer classic shirt often looks better tucked in.

Wear the print shirt neatly

Tuck the shirt into trousers, add a quiet jacket and choose dress shoes. This way, the print continues to add character without making the outfit informal.

You can read more about this in combining a shirt with a jacket or suit.

How many prints can you combine?

There is no rule that you can only wear one pattern. However, combining becomes more difficult as colors and scale compete more with each other.

A useful approach:

• one large pattern + one small pattern;
• at least one shared color;
• one calm garment between two prints;
• if in doubt: make trousers or jacket plain.

Fit remains more important than the print

A fantastic pattern won't save a shirt that pulls at the chest or has the wrong shoulders. So first look at the size and cut and then at the design.

Read also slim fit, regular fit or loose fit shirt.

Print shirts at EcoGents

EcoGents has a large changing collection of print shirts, from calm patterns to distinct vintage designs. For older pieces, you can also look at the vintage shirts and 1970s shirts.

Because every second-hand item is unique, it pays to look for a print that suits your style and your existing wardrobe.