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In 2018, a contentious movement emerged within the fashion sphere: Tropical print clothes were deemed veritably trendy, leaving many shocked, confused and appalled. How could tropical prints—a pattern once exclusively reserved for frat bros and dads on vacation—possibly be worthy of the hippest influencer in your Instagram feed? Well folks, gird your loins, because 2018’s tropical print trend has endured well into 2019—and tropical print clothes are all up in your favorite retailers right now.
Though many decried the return of the tropical print, I celebrated it. Because as far as this fashion editor is concerned, clothing is a realm where play should be encouraged. If our outfits are, truly, extensions of ourselves, should they not be as colorful, as vibrant, as textured and interesting and genuinely fun as we are? All-black-everything is an undeniably chic uniform, but I’ve always favored structural strangeness, mismatched prints and saturated shades over homogeneity.
Tropical prints, as inherently tacky as they are, force us all to acknowledge the banality we’ve been so apt to embrace in our wardrobes—the number of ensembles we’ve inherited from others. Tropical prints are so bold, so bright, so often (let’s be real) ugly, that they’re hard to style. They’re laced with challenge: How are you going to make me look cute? To integrate me into your wardrobe? To make it look like you should be wearing me? These questions force us to return to the sartorial strengths inherent to each of us; the fan of color can pump up the tonal volume, the small-print fiend can offer a subtle take on the trend, the maximalist can opt for a tropical-print-on-tropical-print look so seamless it might inspire a jaw or two to drop.
Tropical print clothes want you to drop your style-based preconceptions and focus on who you are, what you want, how you like to have fun. They’re an invitation to get a little weird for a second—which is something we could all stand to do a little more of, sometimes.

The perfect night-out dress for your next vacation.

Fit for the pool, the beach or everyday wear.

A distinct take on the tropical print trend—because the movement’s about embracing things your way.

Maxi dresses are always a good idea, and printed ones offer an additional dose of fun.

A tropical print top fit for a night out—because really, why limit yourself?

I won’t even try to hide it: I’m a sucker for any kind of statement pants. Excuse me while I stock up on them in droves.

Literally your dad’s favorite tropical print shirt, rendered in dress form.

A tropical print shirt that doesn’t skew terribly tourist-y.

A swimsuit cover-up that’s as fun as it is on-trend.

Introducing: your new favorite summer party dress.

A tropical print matching set to end all tropical print matching sets. (I can’t be the only one who’s downright obsessed with this two-piece, right?)

Because of course swimsuits have gotten the tropical print treatment.

Almost more floral than tropical.

Traditional ways into the trend are very much on the menu.

So cute and comfy you might be tempted to wear it 24/7.

Sort of subtle. Sort of.

If it was cute enough for you at age 6, it’s cute enough for you now.

Hell yeah tropical prints can be work-appropriate.

A romper that might just inspire you to book your next vacation.

Sure to play well with your favorite shorts, breezy pants or basically any other bottom in your closet.

Your dad’s go-to tropical print shirt, turned into a romper.

A veritably edgy tropical print for the veritably edgy shopper.

The smocked trend met the tropical print trend, fell in love—and produced this adorable romper.

For the shopper who’d prefer to make a subtler nod to the trend.

This vintage-looking mini makes it onto my wishlist every time & Other Stories brings it back in stock.

Proof all-over tropical prints don’t have to skew over-the-top.

The ’90s kid’s take on the tropical print trend.

Almost the same thing as wearing your boyfriend’s tropical print shirt as a dress—except you won’t get swallowed in excess fabric.

A crop top that can take you from the beach to the bar—and back.

Pajamas? Power suit? I’m not sure, but I know I’m here for it.

It was only a matter of time before our collective obsession with satin made its way to the tropical print sector.

I told you—I can’t resist a statement pant. Instant bold style and comfort, at the same! damn! time!

In case your more of a tee person than a top person.

A maxi that could take you anywhere—the pool, brunch, date night, anywhere.

How to make a tropical print top even more fun than it already is: Add puffy sleeves. And smocked detailing. And ruffles.

OK, if I’m buying any tropical print dress for my next vacation, it’ll be this subtly vintage-feeling one.

Because you shouldn’t have to rob the men’s section every time you want a tropical print button-down.

Practically begging to star in your next Instagram.

The lowest-maintenance swimsuit cover-up on offer right now.

The endlessly trendy ’90s slip dress, infused with tropical print fun.

So cute you’ll be looking for excuses to wear it everywhere.

Veritably chic—and sexy. Who would’ve thought?

Buying this one with the matching statement hoops.

In case you prefer a drapey kimono to an oversized button-down.

Fit for any spring/summer wedding on your calendar this year.

Your new favorite going-out ensemble. Maybe? Possibly?

It was really only a matter of time before tropical prints made their way to robes, too.

Another tropical print shirtdress that’ll actually fit you right.

A not-so-average tropical print—but one that’s veritably bold.

A tie top that’ll play just as well with your favorite mom jeans as it will with its matching maxi.

OK, I’ll admit it—I probably have a tropical print pants problem.

A top that’ll take you from day to night every weekend this season.

Because tropical prints second most obvious application (behind tropical print dad shirts, of course) is in sarongs.
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By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.