Op-art look for your wardrobe

Heavy black lines and grid-like, crisp patterns created an op-art effect in Dries van Noten's spring collection.

The clean black-and-white palette feels fresh and modern, with bold stripes, stark colours and strong silhouettes.

The idea is easy to work into a daily wardrobe but remember that a little goes a long way.

If you pair contrasting prints as Van Noten did on the runway, it's easy to wind up looking like a Magic Eye poster.

Start with one patterned piece or a piece with a graphic print covering just a portion of the garment.

Try one at a time

Try a dress with a few thick stripes across the bottom a la Mary Quant or throw a cropped, graphic-plaid jacket over a simple black dress.

Or pair one graphic item with a strong, solid piece, such as black jeans or a solid, dark skirt.

The graphic look should play out through the entire ensemble, in pieces with similar hard shapes and lines.

In this case, slouchy and strong don't mix.

Accent hard lines with a small splash of colour, such as a thin yellow belt or bright red sandals. You can also try the look more subtly with accessories.

This season's hot trend in cage shoes has a similar graphic aesthetic and can add the same tough feeling a bold pattern does.