6 Playful Print Trends to Wear this Summer

It’s summer, a carefree and beautiful time ripe for fun times and frolics. And what’s more fun time and frolic ready, than playful prints? Below are the 6 fun print trends we think you should be wearing in SS22 and beyond.

Vertical Stripes

Yes, we all know stripes, but these stripes are a whole new ball game. This season things have been turned on their head, with stripes turning lengthways and coming in varying size and colour combinations that make the whole situation look very fresh indeed. Not to mention the wonderfully lengthening qualities of a vertical stripe.

Bold Vertically Striped knitted midi dress from Joseph in white, brown, and black. This chic on trend summer dress is the solution to your summer styling needs. The bold intarsia striped design is finely ribbed to follow natural contours of the figure and finished with an elegant fluted hemline.
JOSEPH Ribbed-knit striped midi dress, £545

Make a statement in neutrals with this chic ribbed knit dress from Joseph. Perfect for day or night and it will be great with loafers and a blazer once the summer days start to fade.

Mango Multicoloured vertically striped 100% Cotton large beach bag style Shopper bag. Double handle. Inner pocket. Inside magnet fastening. Swimwear collection. 14.17x12.2x11.42in (LengthxHeightxWidth).
Mango Striped Shopper Bag, £29.99

So yummy.

Mango Committed Collection striped denim jeans. 100% Cotton with Straight design in green and white striped pattern. Belt Loops, Five pockets and Button up fly. Fits bigger to size. Inseam 77 cm.
Mango Striped Straight Jeans, £49.99

These fun striped jeans will look great with a white tank and clogs. Just throw an oversized white shirt over on cooler days like the model.

Altuzarra's cream Penelope dress is accented with 2 contrasting black vertical stripes on either side of the button placket. It has black fabric-covered buttons and a tassel-trimmed drawstring at the waist. Made from supple crêpe, it has a handkerchief hemline.
ALTUZARRA Penelope striped crêpe midi dress, £1,535

Wear this minimally striped dress on summer days with simple black accessories and accent with gold jewellery.

House of Dagmar Patty vertically striped cropped sleeveless top made from crisp Tencel twill. Modern and feminine, Patty is finished with gathered details at the neckline and arms and complemented with a tie at the waist. Style with Minoo matching Stripe skirt for a tonal look with a graphic touch.
House of Dagmar Patty Striped Top, £190

This lengthening set is so delightful. Match this top with the striped maxi skirt for the full long and lovely look, or pair easily with your denim and linen separates.

Arket short sleeve shirt in blue and white vertical stripe print. Woven from pure linen for airy comfort during warmer months, this relaxed-fit shirt is fashioned with wide fold-up sleeves and has a Single chest pocket, Rounded hem and Mother of pearl buttons. Matching shorts are available.
Arket Short Sleeved Linen Shirt, £45

Wear this classic relaxed fit, linen striped shirt with the matching shorts for easy peasy holiday styling.

& Other Stories Beige & Black Tote bag featuring contrasting leather handles and a cut-out handle with leather trimming. External pocket closed by magnet.
& Other Stories Leather Handle Tote Bag, £65

This bag is the perfect all-rounder to take you from sightseeing to the beach, and back again.

Mango Committed Collection multicolored striped shirt on burnt orange, yellow, red, and cream tones. Straight oversized design. Shirt-style collar with hidden button placket. Long sleeve with buttoned cuffs. Patch pocket on the chest.
Mango Multicoloured Striped Shirt, £29.99

Throw this sunset-toned striped shirt over your bikini for the beach, or pair with denim and a basket bag for casual days.

Made from natural straw, this statement hat from Arket is designed with a wide brim and a short crown. Featuring a striped pattern, it is styled with wide grosgrain taping that can be tied under the chin.
Arket Striped Straw Hat, £45

Bring some drama to your beach game with this oversized striped straw hat from Arket. So chic.

Blurred Vision

Tie-dye often makes an appearance in summer, but this season sees a new sophisticated evolution in the form of more abstract versions, or watercolor prints. For other bright and bold looks, try dipping into the many hypnotising digital prints on offer.

Scoop neck tank top in ribbed jersey with a multicoloured blur print. Slim fit with Embroidered Anagram at the back of the neck.
Loewe Blur print tank top in cotton, £350

If you didn’t get your hands on the highly sought-after (Kendall Jenner-approved) Loewe blur print tank dress, this anagram vest iteration is also very pretty.

Zara purple abstract printed long sleeveless dress with a round neckline. Inner lining. form-fitting.
Zara Long Tulle Dress, £59.99

The tube dress is proving a hit this season, and this version from Zara is such a winner.

Perfect silk co-ords for the coming summer. Made from 100% Silk, this Sarong Set is designed with pretty abstract tie-dye effect dot patterns. The top is a cropped bandeau style and the skirt is a long sarong style. Wear them as a set or pair the top or the skirt with other items in your holiday wardrobe.
Silk Sarong Set by Jessica K, £460

This sumptuous silk sarong set is going to see you wafting elegantly from the beach to the bar, and turning heads whilst you’re at it.

Louisa Ballou's Heatwave style is updated in a long version. Made from mesh to a form-fitting silhouette, the midi dress features the multicolored Odyssey print and a drawstring on the side to create a ruched effect.
LOUISA BALLOU Heatwave printed mesh midi dress, £530

Be so ready for your next beach/pool party in this Louisa Ballou Heatwave mesh Maxi dress.

Zara Green and blue watercolor print Long camisole dress made of 100% mulberry silk. Flowing neckline and thin straps.
Zara Printed Silk dress, £179

This 100% silk dress from Zara has such a mesmerizing print. It’s coming soon, so keep yourself notified of its arrival if this is your jam.

Cut from our premium printed polyamide fabric, Itohan is high-waisted and thong shaped for a little cheeky excitement.
Kai Collective ITOHAN HIGH RISE PRINTED THONG – ORANGE, £70.00

Kai Collectives highly covetable swirly, marble-esque prints are so summer-ready, especially in the form of this bright and bold two-piece.

For a minidress that makes a big impact, look to this one-shoulder style from David Koma. It's made from sheer mesh printed with a multicolored flame motif, a high neck, and a ruched side seam.
DAVID KOMA One-shoulder printed mesh minidress, £815

This sheer mesh one-shoulder mini dress from David Koma is printed with an abstract multicolored flame motif that will ensure you turn up the heat on your next summer night out.

Short dress in an abstract marble digital style print of bright colours. Softly draping viscose weave. Deep V-neck at the back with narrow, horizontal ties, long sleeves and gently flared cuffs with a slit and ties. Unlined.
H&M Patterned Dress, £34.99

This short dress with long flared sleeves is not holding back on the holiday feels.

Animal Lover

Animal print is a classic that never really goes out of style, but each season designers think of new ways to make it look fresh. For SS22, Zebra and Tiger prints are particularly prominent and also nicely served with a side of Y2k vibes, another dominant and enduring trend for 2022.

H&M Zebra print sheer Blouse in airy jersey with a collar and an open front with narrow ties. Long sleeves with a high slit and ties at the cuffs. Shaping seams down the front and back. Unlined.
H&M Zebra Print Sheer Shirt with Ties, £24.99

This sheer, tie-front blouse will look as great now as it will come Autumn/winter.

Tropic of C is loved for fuss-free beach staples such as the The C bikini top. It's framed with barely-there shoulder straps and offers medium coverage. Pair with the coordinating zebra-print bikini bottoms. yellow and black colored zebra print.
Tropic of C Zebra Print Bikini Top, £ 101  £70

Pair this minimal bikini top with the matching zebra bikini bottoms to make a statement on the beach, in a fuss-free silhouette.

Cos ZEBRA-PRINT SHORTS, £59

These silky zebra print shorts will look so great wafting around town with gladiator sandals and a plain tank. The matching zebra print shirt would also make a great staple buy for any season.

Sleeveless midi dress in a drapey zebra print fabric from Ghospell. Featuring an oversized collar with ruffle finish and an elasticated shirring bodice with hidden pockets on the side.
Ghospell Free Former Midi Dress, £89.00

Throw this beautiful zebra print dress on and be ready for anything in seconds. Aside from the delightful print, the shirring, oversized collar, and hidden pockets really make it.

Roop Zebra print Canvas Aurora bag, made using only remnant, deadstock and vintage fabrics. Inspired by origami, this elegant silhouette is finished off with our signature scrunchie handle and decorative knots to finish it off perfectly. Dimensions, measured flat: handle- 35cm x 3cm, base to clasp- 25cm, base to handle- 41cm
Roop Baby Aurora in zebra, £95.00

This Zebra print origami-inspired bag from sustainable brand Roop is such a winner.

Arket Voluminous maxi dress made from a cupro blend. Styled with a lace up-detail at front and long sleeves with wide, buttoned cuffs. Unlined. Leopard print.
Arket Lace-Up maxi dress in Leopard print, £109

A gorgeous dress you will wear season after season.

NA-KD zebra printed denim mini skirt with a five-pocket design, a mini length and a patterned material in denim.
NA-KD Zebra Print Denim Miniskirt, £32.86

A zebra print skirt is a fun way to get into the mini-trend and will mix and match with so many of your existing wardrobe staples.

Arizona Love's 'Trekky' sandals are set on super comfortable foam platform soles and have hiking-inspired straps wrapped in eye-catching leopard-print gauze. The Velcro® fastenings ensure they fit perfectly.
Arizona Love Trekky Sandals in Leopard print, £115

Arizona Loves Trekky sandals are cool and comfortable. The neutral tones of these leopard print iterations are highly versatile without passing on the fun.

Check Mate

Checks aren’t exactly new, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun. See for yourself….

Raey's navy and cream checked maxi dress is shaped from open-weave cotton, imparting it with a rustic mood. It's made in the UK to a halterneck silhouette with an elasticated waist and a full skirt complemented by a raw hem, then lined in silk chiffon.
RAEY Halterneck open-weave checked cotton dress, £495

This is such a good dress to have in your life.

Zara orange and pink Sleeveless crochet knit top in a check pattern. Cropped fit with a round neckline and matching knit crochet skirt available.
Zara Check Crochet Top, £25.99

Yes to crochet and checks all at once, and in a matching set.

Reformation Orzo linen two piece set features an adjustable halter, crop top and a midi length skirt with a button front. The navy top has a smocked back bodice with a center back zipper and a sweetheart neckline. It gives you a little shape in the areas where you might want it. The full midi skirt is a navy and white micro-check.
Reformation Orzo Linen Two-Piece, £248

This linen two-piece set is just waiting to be worn wafting around some winding Italian streets.

Pistachio check mini skirt by Jessica K with cut-out detail on the side. Pair with the matching cropped blazer for a perfect summer look.
Crimini Skirt Pistachio by Jessica K, £145

Get into the mini skirt trend with just the subtlest touch of Cher from clueless vibes.

Jacquemus vichy tie knot navy and white check bikini top. Wide straps with knot feature. Navy and white check. Lightweight check-print recycled-fibre stretch-jersey. Ties at the back. matching pant available.
JACQUEMUS Vichy tie-knot check bikini top, £150

So cute. Snap up the matching bikini brief too for a classic look.

Kitri Harlow Check Mini Dress. A Cheongsam-inspired number reimagined in pink and orange textured woven fabrication. Mandarin collar, Short sleeves, Center-back zip, Fully Lined, Faux contrast ties.
Kitri Harlow Orange and Pink Check Mini Dress, £135

She’s a keeper.

Brown and white Square scarf with a graphic, checkered motif form & Other Stories. Dimensions of scarf: 70cm x 70cm
& Other Stories Graphic Check Scarf, £29 £18

Try out the head scarf trend on your next trip to the beach with this graphic check print number from & Other Stories.

Mango Committed Collection geometric print check design wrap skirt in lilac, purple and white. 100% Cotton in a Straight, midi, wrap design. Side bow fastening.
Mango Wrap Skirt, £35.99

This skirt will be so easy to wrap around anything on a hot day and the geometric check print in shades of purple is very now.

LASTFRAME's Takanohiro Okude references traditional Japanese construction techniques to create his directional bag offering, including this red and white Ichimatsu check tote bag. It's knitted in Ishikawa, Japan, using a rare loom which created a pleated effect and features a detachable leather strap for versatile styling.
LASTFRAME Ichimatsu-check small rib-knitted tote bag, £220

The check bags from Last Frame are the perfect way to add pep to any outfit.

Tropicana

Don’t show me a floral this season unless it’s taking me to exotic and far-flung locations. Preferably a beach club, where the drinks are free. See you there.

This Mango tropical floral print midi skirt in shades of black, green, and orange is ready to hit the dancefloor on long summer nights or pair with flat sandals and a tank for daytime. It is slim fit, midi length with a side slit for movement and a frill detail down the side.
Mango Tropical Floral Printed Skirt with Frill Detail, £35.99

This Mango frill detail midi skirt is ready to hit the dance floor on long summer nights, or pair with flat sandals and a tank for daytime.

The Loewe Paula's Ibiza collaboration continues with a collection of laid-back summer staples infused with the spirit of the Balearics. These voluminous shorts have a bright cactus print and a comfortable elastic waist. Black-based print with yellow orange and green tropical print.
LOEWE Paula’s Ibiza printed shorts, £495

Hello summer.

V neck button down mini dress form Reserved with a bright tropical floral print and puff sleeves. Cinched in under the bust with an a-line silhouette. Large pearly effect buttons. Scalloped edged on the cuffs at the elbow length sleeves.
Reserved Printed Mini Dress, £45.99

This fruity number is holiday ready.

Johanna Ortiz's halterneck dress from the Spring '22 collection has been locally made in Colombia from breathable organic cotton printed with a foliage-inspired print. It's embellished with tonal beads and has a frayed hem.
JOHANNA ORTIZ+ NET SUSTAIN Ritmo Vivo printed organic cotton halterneck dress, £1,088

Locally made in Colombia, this fabulous tropical foliage print dress from Johanna Ortiz is a piece you will treasure forever.

Shirt in a black and multicolored tropical floral patterned cotton weave. Relaxed fit with a resort collar, French front and yoke at the back. Dropped shoulders, short sleeves and a straight-cut hem with slits in the sides.
H&M Tropical Print Resort Shirt, £9.99

Always worth checking the men’s section. This tropical print cotton resort shirt is an easy throw-on and go beach vibe.

Farm Rio Jungle Flow Top features the a voluminous silhouette with an elevated nature-inspired print in red and white. It has beaded tassels that tie in a drawstring at the waist. Wear with the matching Tiered Maxi Skirt.
Farm Rio Jungle Flow Top, £115

This Jungle Flow top from Farm Rio is such a joyful and easy breezy summer look. Pair it with the matching maxi skirt if you want to go all out, or pop it on with denim cut-offs and flat sandals for a day about town.

The Helios minidress from Louisa Ballou is a signature style from the high-octane label. It's made from double-layered semi-sheer mesh in an abstract floral print in shades of blue, pink and orange. Gold-toned ring hardware cinches the design at the plunging neckline.
LOUISA BALLOU Helios printed mesh minidress, £380

A staple for your holiday party wardrobe.

Reformation Besse dress is a midi length dress with a scoop neckline. It features tie straps and back smocking for a little extra bit of stretch. It has a high, side slit to show off your figure and allow movement and it comes in an orange-based print with oversized tropical looking flowers. This would make a stunning wedding guest or holiday dress.
Reformation Besse Dress, £248

This Reformation dress is so stunning.

Throw Back Feels

There are a whole host of retro feel prints out there, from 60s psychedelic and pretty paisleys to 70s swirls and glam scarf prints. All of which go perfectly with a healthy dose of sunshine and holiday vibes, whatever your style.

Zara Limited Edition Green, Purple, and Green Geometric printed shirt in 100% silk. Collared, V-neckline, and long sleeves with cuffs. Chest patch pocket. Split hem. Button-down front with matching buttons.
Zara Limited Edition Printed Silk Shirt, £89.99

Don’t you want to get the matching trousers too and just slink around looking casually luxe and also quite fun at the same time?

Reserved Printed Wide Leg Trousers, £19.99

These loose and flowy geometric print trousers have a retro lounge vibe, especially when paired with the matching shirt for an opulent head-to-toe look.

Beautiful multicoloured vintage 1960s / 1970s paisley print silk scarf with bright green border and machine finished hem. The scarf comes from my grandma's collection and is in great vintage condition. Ti measures 69 x 69 cm.
Vintage 1960s/70s paisley print silk scarf, £30

Of course, shopping vintage for vintage-inspired trends is a good way to go. You could even dip into another throwback trend whilst you are at it and tie a gorgeous scarf into a 00s scarf top.

Named after the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Cult Gaia’s ‘Aphrodite’ gown is designed with slim straps connecting the floaty skirt to the cropped top. It's made from crepe blended with silk for a fluid drape and has an intricate retro swirly print. Cutouts along the midriff and keyhole fastening to thin-strapped halterneck ties at the neck.
CULT GAIA Aphrodite cutout embellished printed crepe gown, £675

This Cult Gaia cut-out dress has a very 70s luxe feel, and is going to look fabulous on summer evenings with gold jewelry and a holiday glow.

Zara High-waist paisley print trousers made of 100% cupro. Relaxed waist and elastic waistband. Side pockets and rear patch pockets. Flared hem. Front zip fly and button fastening. Russet brown with subtle white paisley print with touches of black.
Zara Paisley Flowy Trousers, £45.99

Hark back to the summer of love in this earthy paisley pairing.

Invest in a beach cover-up that will elevate your vacation edit such as this semi-sheer style from Valentino x Mytheresa. Made from cotton and silk, it ties at the neck like a cape. Wear yours over the capsule's coordinating swimwear. Vibrant print in yellow, green, orange, red and pink tones.
VALENTINO Exclusive to Mytheresa – Printed cotton and silk beach cover-up, £1,400

I never realised I needed a beach cape, but I do. I really do.

Printed allover with a vibrant paisley design in green, lilac and earthy shades, the Marta shirt from Alémais is shaped to a relaxed, voluminous silhouette. Cut from linen, it has upturned cuffs and lilac piped trims and pearly buttons.
ALEMAIS Marta linen shirt, £226

Australian label Alémais plants a tree for every garment sold, so you can feel extra happy about this delightfully retro paisley print shirt. That collar with the triple button detail is so good.

Emporio Sirenuse's pink Isotta dress is crafted from lightweight cotton voile that is hand-printed with the label's whimsical Caliph's dream pattern. It is maxi in length with a full skirt, fitted bodice, and round halter neck that ties at the back and reveals the back.
EMPORIO SIRENUSE Isotta Caliph’s Dream-print cotton-voile dress, £670

This dreamy dress has a very enjoyable 60s-style psychedelic print that will stand out from the crowd and bring joy to your day.

Geo Step Print 2-In-1 Twisted Scarf Printed Satin Twill, £35.00

Go for the full retro holiday feels and pair this geo print scarf with oversized sunnies and an air of old-school glamour.

Find more summer inspiration, in our best summer party looks roundup next…

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