If you’ve checked out my Instagram you know that I am going crazy for tie-dye!  I was so surprised to see this psychedelic pattern all over the runways during Fashion Week last fall. It’s definitely an unexpected trend, and similar to neon, I wasn’t sure how I felt about at first. 

Tie-dye can be VERY hard to get right.   I mean there is some BAD tie-dye clothing out there!  Step into the gift shop at any hotel in a tropical locale and you will find yourself walking through a sea of tie-dyed mumu’s and sarongs.  Ever visited the site people of Walmart?  You can find some ridiculous tie-dye ensembles there.

Whether you like the print or not, we can all definitely agree that tie-dye is a fashion statement. But unlike other fashion trends and fads, tie-dye means something. Most people associate tie-dye with hippies and the counterculture movement of the late 1960’s, but it actually has its roots in ancient civilizations throughout the world.  Tie-dye symbolized something different in each culture throughout history.  In the 1960s people wore it as a form of self-expression.  Tie dye is bold, colorful, vibrant, and radical which if you think about it, embodied the ideals of the counterculture at the time.  People wore it as a way to help communicate their ideology and as an act of protest of societal norms.  It became a symbol for peace, love, and the free-spirited energy of the bohemian lifestyle.

As the movement settled down in the 1970’s so did tie-dye.  The fashion trend has come and go many times throughout the decades since then.  Now in 2019, it is staging yet another comeback! This time, tie-dye is taking on high fashion.  These aren’t your people of Walmart printed shirts. The prints in this resurgence are fresh and modern, but still manage to capture the bold free-spirited essence of the look.   With that being said, tie-dye can still be a tricky trend to pull off. Here are some tips and inspiration if your daring enough to take it on 😉

Tie-Dye Tip #1. Choose the right color, pattern, and material combination.

Tie-dye comes in millions of color and pattern combinations.  Every print is unique so you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing one that is right for you.  If you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a 2^nd grade art project, I recommend choosing a garment with only 1-2 colors and a simple pattern. If you follow my Insta Stories, you might remember I revealed this dress during a recent shopping trip to Zara.  I saw it and immediately fell in love with tie-dye all over again.  It’s a great example of how the print can be sophisticated and chic when done right.  The beige and pink color combination and the gentle flow of the simple pattern helps elevate the look.   Choosing the right material is important too.  I like how the silk material of this dress reflects the light and picks up the shiny gradient hues that transition between the two colors- it reminds me of a beautiful pink sky during a cloudy sunset!  

The subtleness of the print makes the dress versatile and easy to style.  It is perfect for a desert or beach setting.  You can dress it up with nude heels and an updo for an elegant vacation dinner look, or add white sneakers or sandals for an easy, casual outfit.   In this look I decided to incorporate earthy tones in my accessories which you wouldn’t normally expect with a tie-dye pattern, but it helps add a level of sophistication.   With the hat and booties, I think this would be a perfect outfit to wear to Coachella 2019 or any other upcoming Spring music festival!

Tie-Dye Tip 2:  Don’t be afraid to mix tie-dye with other prints.

Mixing prints is always tricky, especially one as bold as tie-dye, but if you do it right, it can make for a super edgy, high fashion look.   This is actually an old tie-dye shirt that I’ve hung on to since the last time the trend made a resurgence a few years ago.  I love its vibrant blue hues and the subtle change in gradient.  I often pair the top with denim or white bottoms but I wanted to turn up the volume with this out.  The simple pattern and color palette make it easy to match with other prints like this flirty striped mini skirt from Lulu’s.  It’s one of my favorite Spring pieces I wear all the time.  The mixed prints work together because of the inverted color scheme.   Also, the thin vertical blue stripes of the skirt balance out the thick bold horizonal tie-dye pattern of the top.  The end-result?  A fashion-forward casual beach look you can dress up with heels or dress down with flats. 

Ready to channel your inner boho vibes?   Here are some of my favorite pieces of the season you can shop to get you started!

Maybe it’s my free-spirited nature and California roots which so strongly draws me to tie-dye.  It sparks happiness, amusement, and serenity in me when I wear it.   It evokes childhood memories of carefree endless summers spent lounging on the sand and swimming in the waves of the ocean.  I wear it as a reminder for myself to never lose touch of these feelings. 

How do you guys feel about tie-dye? Do you think it’s a fun trend or something that’s way too far out there to take serious? Let me know in the comments below!