I’m Calling It: These 4 Prints Are About to Dominate Your Spring Wardrobe

Perhaps the most exciting shift this season comes from abstract prints. While this print feels fresh now, they’ve long been part of fashion’s visual language, dating back to the early 20th century, when designers drew inspiration from abstract expressionism and surrealism. That artistic influence continues to resurface in cycles, and this season, Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy’s delivered one of the standout moments of the spring/summer shows, with painterly prints sweeping across fluid skirts. For anyone looking to step slightly outside their comfort zone this spring, start by pairing abstract prints with solids. Or, commit to a full look in one print. If you do this, be sure to keep accessories minimal.

Oversized, high-contrast stripes showed up across multiple runways, with Jacquemus leading the charge with Riviera-ready versions that feel very vacation-esque. Off-White, Cynthia Rowley and Ralph Lauren followed suit, playing with scale and direction to keep things interesting. These aren’t your classic Breton stripes—they’re much bigger and designed to be the focal point of your outfit.To style them, pair a bold striped piece with crisp neutrals, anchor wide-leg striped pants with a simple tank or button-down, or lean into the drama with a matching set. For the more adventurous, try mixing stripe directions or scales, but keep the color palette tight so it doesn’t feel too chaotic.

Florals for spring? Yes, but not quite as you know them. At Sandy Liang, florals leaned sweet but subversive, often styled in unexpected ways that kept them from feeling too saccharine. PatBo and Christian Siriano embraced bold, high-impact florals with saturated colors. Meanwhile, Erdem stayed true to its romantic roots with painterly, almost archival blooms, and Miu Miu gave florals a lived-in feel. To get the look, think beyond the obvious. Pair florals with tailored pieces. Feeling frisky? Try mixing florals with unexpected textures like leather, or opt for a head-to-toe floral moment and keep everything else understated.

Polka dots are officially back, but with a twist. Instead of your grandmother’s dots, designers like Altuzarra and Dries Van Noten reimagined them with scale and placement. At the Jacquemus spring/summer 2026 show, the print felt playful, styled in a way that leans more retro. And on the streets, New Yorkers paired it with tailored pieces. The key is to treat polka dots like a neutral with personality. Pair a dotted blouse with barrel-leg jeans Or, mix up the dot sizes or layer them with stripes.