This post is sponsored by Target, one of my very favorite retailers. Thank you for supporting the brands that partner with Pretty & Fun – authenticity is a top priority and all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Mixing and matching is always in style – it’s about maximizing your wardrobe and having fun while you’re doing it. Whenever I’m feeling a bit bored with my closet and the routine of my typical outfits I like to issue a little challenge to myself: create new looks to mix things up without going shopping for an entirely new wardrobe. And with a little creativity, some magic can happen!

While we already know that the more classic pieces in your wardrobe can be great in these situations, your more trendy pieces can be remixed as well! This summer it’s all about bold prints and patterns, which can sometimes be tough to integrate into your wardrobe and find the right things to match with them. But sometimes, you’ve just gotta go bold and forget the rules because getting dressed should really be about having fun!

A look at a few ways to style bold pieces with a move I like to call the power clash:

Pants: Target c/o // Top: Target c/o // Shoes: Sam Edelman
// Necklace: BaubleBar // Sunglasses: Target // Bracelet: Gorjana

Summer is all about bohemian vibes and these patterned pants make a serious statement – instead of trying to tone down the piece by pairing with a simple top dial up the ‘70s influence and embrace your inner free spirit by bringing in another texture with a crochet tank. Although these two pieces both have a lot going on with colors, patterns and textures, it works because of their similar style. I always like to balance out a loose fitting item (like the wide leg of these pants) with something more form fitting to create balance and the cut of this top does just the trick.

Tip: Pairing pieces with a similar theme or influence can help you really go for it when you’re pulling off a power clash and prevents your outfit from feeling too random, even if you’ve got a lot going on with pattern, color and texture.

Shorts: Target c/o // Top: Target c/o // Sandals: Sam Edelman
// Tote: Leah Lerner // Sunglasses: Target 

Shorts are a summertime staple but don’t think that denim is your only option! The warm tones in this tribal-printed pair are perfect for showing off a summer tan and the woven detail in the pattern is amazing. Pair with a more simple, flowy top to balance things out with a subtle touch of pattern in the embroidery in a similar color to the shorts.

Tip: Sticking to a similar color palette allows you to combine pieces while keeping a cohesive feel. Don’t worry about matching the colors perfectly though! The slight color variation works well when there is a range of colors involved.

Dress: Target c/o // Sandals: Steve Madden // Bag: Kate Spade // Bracelet: Blossom Box

The easiest way to power clash in an outfit? Pick one piece that does the work for you by already having variation! This dress is guaranteed to be a summer favorite because of its breezy feel and the pattern paired with embroidered details at the neckline makes it a power clash MVP piece. This dress is super on trend and can be paired with heeled sandals for date night or a cardigan and flats for a day at the office.

Tip: A bold dress is the easiest way to make a statement with little effort. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and say goodbye to your little black dress – look for pieces that can be paired with more simple accessories, like a black pump or clutch, to dial down the loudness.

Are you all about mixing and matching? Have you been dabbling in bold prints and patterns lately? What are some of your favorite styling tips?

Find your style @targetstyle

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.