Common Sardine Dress Styling Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

Wearing a sardine dress is supposed to be a fun experience. It’s boldness and personality sets the tone for a fun and playful outfit. However, because it is such an attention grabber, one can easily outfit the dress in a way that goes from charming to plain chaos. Luckily, most sardine dress mistakes are actually very simple to fix and require a little extra thought.

Mistake #1: Over Accessorizing the Dress

One of the most common mistakes is when people throw on a ton of accessories. These can include chunky jewelry, bags that are a pattern, and statement shoes. These accessories can compete with the sardine print and instead of the look coming off as intentional, it can feel busy.

Solution: One of the easiest ways to make this pop is to let the dress do the talking, this is done by choosing understated accessories. Some options for understated accessorizing would be neutral and plain sandals, minimal gold jewelry, and a clean leather bag. A good indicator that this is a successful endeavor is when one is in doubt and decides to take an extra accessory off. This restraint allows the print to fade, therefore helping the dress pop.

Mistake #2: Clashing Prints and Textures

Putting on a dress with other bold patterns can result in an overwhelming look. Examples of other patterns and textures that can be used are stripes, florals, or playful animal prints. A common occurrence with this is when one wears a sardine dress under a looked with other prints. This can feel to the average eye as if it is backwards.

*Easy fix: Match a solid top to your novelty print bottom. Pairs great with a denim jacket. If a linen cardigan or a neutral structured blazer is worn to keep the top balanced. If you want some texture you can choose for thin leather or canvas where the patterns don’t get too busy.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Fit for the Sake of the Print

This is an easy to fix whose only fix is to focus on the print you want to wear. Disregarding print, in general, focus on getting an outfit where one’s print of choice is a perfect fit in all ways for a great look. Best print fit is without one of the following: dresses pulling, sagging, or sitting awkwardly.

Mistake 4: Wearing the Dress in the Wrong Setting

One cannot wear a sardine dress in a formal or conservative set of events.

Easy fix: You can always keep it casual for outings in a sardine dress where your choice of shoes can remain of flats or sneakers. Just to do dressdown clothing in a small style elevated look with polish shoes and one structured top but without losing the playful style.

Mistake 5: Forgetting About Color Balance

Novelties finish with busy collars on shoes and cargo. These can clash with the print if the dress in it’s palette is busy to finish the look.

Mix and match an accessory that matches one of the background colors for an easy and stylish finish.

If styled correctly, a sardine dress is effortlessly chic and trendy while remaining fun, and functional.