One of the key trends to be heading our way this coming season is mixing prints. Now I don't mean in that scary way that you're Mom might have dressed you up in back in the day – all that polyester pants jarring with nylon blouson tops, that in most cases made your hair frizz for the day, and in worst cases could trigger a full electrical circuit meltdown every time you moved. Things have seriously changed, mixing prints is no longer a fashion faux pas destined to relegate the geeky kid in your class to be eternally typecast as the kid who just couldn't get it right. It seems that now, the geeky kid can do no wrong and can arise as a self proclaimed fashionista genius.

But it can't be that easy I hear you cry? Well it's not Fashion 101, but on the other hand it's not rocket science either. The key depends on what we like to call in the 'biz' your Style Personality. You may in theory love the idea of full on 'dramatic' diva prints a la Carmen Miranda but if your style personality is more of a 'classic' shrinking violet then choose a less loud medium to carry off your print passion this season.

If you love channeling your inner 'rock chick', try mixing your Balenciaga with your Ann Demeulemeester to pull off that Lady Gaga meets Katy Perry on the way to Berlin Fashion week kind of a feel.

Some folks were born to dress in a 'romantic' way – all frills and lace and this seasons ruffles – they should steer clear of the bold and bright and choose a daintier print to play with. Think Laura Ashley meets Liberty prints. If you're a 'natural' by nature try muted tones but mix it up – try a stripe with a floral or a geometric with a check.

Fancy yourself as a 'creative' kind? This is your time to shine – throw your ink blots with your vintage scarf prints and knock yourself out.

Proportion is also an issue when braving prints. if you're a statuesque kind of a gal you can wear larger volume pieces – Tibi always manage to create amazing eye catching print pieces that can work well in any neutral summer wardrobe, but this season try mixing it up with some silk capris from Etro. On the more petite side? Look for smaller dimension and proportion in your print pieces.

If you have body issues where say the bottom half is slightly larger than the top half , simple, wear a larger/bolder print on top and a smaller one on the bottom.  This draws the eye upwards focusing on the top half and not that troublesome lower section. If you have the opposite problem with a larger top than bottom then reverse this trick and you're off to the races.

Some trends are challengingly in the 'age appropriate' bracket,  (imagine last summers hot pants or liquid leggings on a 40+ bod that hasn't had the benefit of a nip/tuck or hours of hot yoga), but spookily this one can span the generations as long as the style personality and proportion rules are adhered to.

If the designer prices of the pieces above are way out of your league, fear not, this trend is so hot that mid range brands like Zara and Banana Republic will be punting them out at a smarter price point before the high end versions have time to leave the stores.