Get the Look: Peter Som Fall 2009

Mixed prints were big on the Fall runways, and on the Spring runways as well, and one of the designers that did them the best (in my opinion, anyways), was Peter Som. He manages to mix quirky patterns in a way that bypasses odd or eccentric, and goes straight to chic. The important thing to remember when mixing prints is to have one dominant and one subordinate print. You can achieve this by having two differently sized prints, with the larger print being dominant, or by having one print be much more saturated and brighter than the other. Keeping the two prints in a similar color palette also keeps the overall look from going over the top.

Here's the look at Peter Som Fall 2009:


I started with the two main pieces, a top and a high-waisted skirt. I picked this Tucker Smocked Collar Blouse, $264 at shopbop.com, and this Generra Faded Ikat Mini, $148 at anthropologie.com. This combo works because the ikat print on the skirt is very subdued, and much more scattered and smaller than the flower print on the top. The fact that both pieces blue and white keeps the overall look from being too busy. And I really love both of these pieces with their little details, like the shirring at the neck of the blouse and the waist-tie/big pockets on the skirt. I'm still having trouble tracking down a fur circle scarf, so I'd try this American Apparel Circle Scarf, $28 at americanapparelstore.com. The grey contrasts with the blues of the top/skirt without fighting with them. I know I keep posting this scarf, but I'm having a seriously hard time finding a circle scarf, and I've seen this one in person and can vouch for its awesomeness.


Top the look off with a leather bomber jacket. I recommend this Silence & Noise Wyatt Moto Jacket, $128 at urbanoutfitters.com or this Veda Maximillian Leather Jacket, $605 at shopbop.com. The Silence & Noise jacket is not only affordable, but it's vegan as well! (I'm trying here). If you have the cash for more of an investment piece, I love this Veda jacket--it's equal parts motorcycle jacket and bomber, so it's extremely versatile. The key with the jacket for this look is that it needs to hit above the hit and have a slim, stream-lined fit to balance out the contrasting prints in the rest of the outfit.


You don't have to go out and buy pieces to really make this look work though. Just shop your closet for printed pieces, and remember to keep one piece in a smaller or more subdued print, and one piece in a larger or more vibrant print. This keeps the prints from fighting each other. It's a really young, springy look, so have fun with it!

Image Sources:
Peter Som: style.com
Tucker Blouse: shopbop.com
Generra Skirt: anthropologie.com
American Apparel Scarf: americanapparelstore.com
Silence & Noise Jacket: urbanoutfitters.com
Veda Jacket: shopbop.com