The Stories of Prints
Can you imagine a world without prints? Chevron, brocade, plaid, paisley– while patterns like these embellish the plain world around us, they also have rich stories to tell. You'll be glad that you weren't born a few decades ago because wearing some of your favourite prints would get you in trouble.
Stripes
Stripes are a fan favourite. This striking combination, now a closet staple, had once been a symbol of delinquency. In the medieval times, stripes were a legal obligation to be worn mostly by social outcasts such as servants, jesters and criminals, and carried a negative connotation implying they were miscreants. Prisoners are forced to wear stripes because it signals that they are social deviants. The "badge of shame" soon turned into a symbol of rebellion during the American Revolution, when it was used in flags as battle cry, a motion of emancipation. Over time, this symbol became tamer and made its way into art, textile, fashion and movies. The core meaning of stripes is still the same -- subversion, dangerously different and not confined to the status quo.
Animal Prints
Hunting animals was historically believed to be a sign of power. Before the animal print became a fashion statement, it had been a symbol of status, wealth and royalty of the elite. During the 1920s, this print snowballed into popularity because of big names like Dior and became accessible to the mass public because of the emergence of the printing press. Now animal prints are a fun, chic, upscale and sometimes cheap (when mass produced) addition to clothing and textile.
Floral Prints
This pattern is said to have originated from the east and gained traction during the 16th century. Floral arrangements, wreaths and other decorative items were only for the aristocracy during the Victorian era. Towards the late 1900s, this floral motif spread everywhere, from bed sheets and drapery to flowy dresses. Floral prints are great accents and can make anything look pretty.
Polka Dots
This fun, and peppy print was considered taboo centuries ago because it was reminiscent of impurity and diseases like smallpox. Back then, they did not have the technology to create equally spaced dots but dots had many positive connotations with culture, religion as well as magic. As cheerful as the term sounds, it is said to have originated from a lively Czech dance called polka. Polka dots have now left an imprint in famous pop art, vintage dresses and even on Minnie Mouse.
Camo print
The idea behind camouflage is to hide, conceal and blend in with the enemies during wartime. Ironically, camo print in fashion is used to stand out. This pattern is most popular in street fashion and hip hop culture. The masculine symbolism and toughness behind camo print mellowed down, gaining mass popularity in civilian culture than a military outlook.
Farnaz Fawad Hasan likes wearing solid colours. Reach her at [email protected]
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