What is a ditsy print?

You hear it all the time in fashion magazines, 'ditsy print' this, 'ditsy florals' that, but what does 'ditsy' actually mean? What is a ditsy print? It is a question often asked online but seldom clarified. Wikipedia defines ditsy or Ditzy (American) as 'Silly or scatterbrained'. Well, this is  in the context of a person and sure, you could describe a print as silly but it doesn't make it any clearer. So here is my explanation, with examples.

A 1970s take on the 1940s ditsy print wing collar dress [SOLD]

What 'ditsy print' means

A ditsy print is a tiny scale print with random appearance, scattered placement rather than a linear or geometric pattern. Often a ditsy print has multiple orientation, where different elements of the print are different ways up. At a distance the scale is so small a ditsy print can look almost like a solid colour. Here’s some great examples…

1990s black ditsy print summer dress [SOLD]

1970s daisy motiff ditsy print dress [SOLD]

Some people mistakenly assume that that ditsy is exclusive to floral prints, however this is not the case. Although ditsy floral prints are the most frequently seen type of ditsy print a ditsy print can be a tiny scattered (maybe multi-directional) pattern of any motif. We have some nice ditsy leaf prints. But really a ditsy print could be any tiny motif, i’ve seen some really fun retro pieces out there… even bowler hats!

1970s fan and bird motif ditsy print day dress [SOLD]

1980s Ditsy Leaf Print Blouse [SOLD]

1980s Black Ditsy Bowler Hat Print Jabot Blouse [SOLD]

What ‘s the most fun ditsy print you’ve ever seen?
Leave us a comment or show us your work selfies on Instagram, we’d love to see!
- Bella, The Shopkeeper, Rag & Magpie