Printed Suits

From sweet shorts suits to funky mixed-print pairings, Solange Knowles is known for her colorful, envelope-pushing style. At the season two premiere of Girls, the trendsetter turned heads in a geometric-print Just Cavalli suit, black-and-white Bottega Veneta sandals ($525), and a coordinating colorful clutch. As if her print-on-print ensemble wasn't killer enough, she upped the glam factor with a berry lip and her signature luscious locks. If you love Solange's latest statement-making style as much as we do, shop our printed picks, including her exact sandals, below.

Emma Roberts struck a pose in this jacquard blazer ($498) and matching cropped trousers ($328), both by Nanette Lepore, at a Vogue Eyewear event in NYC last night. The actress styled her textured suit with a sheer striped button-down, black Christian Louboutin pumps ($625), and her cat-eye "Emma" shades by Vogue Eyewear. She completed her borrowed-from-the-boys look with a bold orange Clare Vivier clutch ($156), pyramid stud earrings, and a sleek updo. Score Emma's exact suit and her eye-catching clutch for your next evening adventure.

If you thought it took the boldest of style setters to pull off the printed suit trend (we're looking at you, Solange), we have proof that the look is becoming a little more mainstream. We saw Emma Roberts (and Karolina Kurkova, and Nina Garcia) wearing one last night. With Prada's Fall printed suiting, the Resort '13 collections dotted with printed suits from Roberto Cavalli, DVF, and many more, and a Spring '13 forecast of print-on-print suit separates from Suno and J.Crew, we can safely say this is a trend that's coming to a retailer near you (and not likely to leave anytime soon). If you're skeptical of its wearability, this trio — from Karolina Kurkova, Emma Roberts, and Nina Garcia — made a real-life case for the look at their respective events last night, a testament to the fact that the fashion world's obsession with print is far from waning.

From left: Roberto Cavalli Resort '13, Karolina Kurkova wearing Roberto Cavalli

The latest incarnation is a more sophisticated play on the printed suit — and takes the guesswork out of outfitting mismatched patterns on your own (a suit jacket and trousers are meant to be worn together, after all). Just like our now-favorite printed pants and patterned jeans, we suspect printed suiting is already on a similar path to becoming the next trendy staple. Just think how chic a suit like Karolina's or Nina's would look at your Holiday party (and later on for a Spring cocktail fete, out to dinner, or at the office — that's the definition of a closet staple, no?).

From left: Nina Garcia in Roberto Cavalli, Emma Roberts in Nanette Lepore

Nina Garcia photo courtesy of Roberto Cavalli

Hollywood's hottest women have been inspired by menswear for some time now, from crisp button-downs to loose-fitting trousers to cleavage-baring shorts suits, and the latest is printed suits. Christy Turlington chose an understated black brocade Stella McCartney number with a sparkling Edie Parker clutch in NYC, Ashley Madekwe blossomed in a floral Topshop blazer ($136) with matching trousers ($80) and leather UGG Australia ankle boots ($225) in Costa Mesa, Halle Berry went rock 'n' roll in a blue textured Roberto Cavalli pantsuit and Sergio Rossi pumps in Toronto, and Gwen Stefani donned a funky black-and-white print L.A.M.B. suit in LA. Take a cue from these fashionistas and opt for a daring printed suit instead of the standard solid suit for your next night on the town. Warning: this trend is not for the timid, so expect to get lots of attention!