Paisley & Houndstooth

Paisley Shorts from H&M (would go brilliantly with the pink Jacob blazer from last Friday's post, btw)

Ashley in a houndstooth blazer from H&M

A houndstooth look from the DVF Pre-Fall Collection - photo via WWD

Head-to-toe paisley at Jil Sander's Spring 2012 show 

Houndstooth trousers ($49.90) at Zara 

Stella McCartney Spring 2012

Bright houndstooth at House of Holland's Fall 2012 Show 

We had our family Easter dinner yesterday and as always, I ate too much food, ate way too much chocolate and generally just over-indulged.  Heaven!  Though every family get-together involves questions like, "How's work?" and "How are the kids?", my fashion-conscious fam now asks me about trends, too.  We got on the topic of pattern and I told them how prevalent retro prints have been on the runways for this season and next.  I especially love the big comeback of paisley and houndstooth - 2 of my fave old-school prints.  To make '80's houndstooth look current, team it with a pop of bright by adding a colour-blocked heel or blouse or, instead of the typical black & white, be on the lookout for colourful houndstooth as seen at DVF and House of Holland for Fall 2012.  As for paisley, it's been awhile since the old-fashioned print has looked hip so just wearing it is guaranteed to make you look in-the-know.  Luckily, instead of the heavy-looking paisleys we used to see (think forest green and burgundy..ech) the print's been reinvented with loads of bright pastel paisleys swinging from this season's racks.  Designers are showing head-to-toe matching prints but for every day, I suggest you debut one singular sensation to make a statement.  Pretty!