If you love print and colour, three names come up again and again: Dries Van Noten, Marni and Etro. They share a refusal to play it safe, yet each one approaches pattern from a different place. Here is how they compare, and how to choose between them.

Dries Van Noten: painterly print, relaxed cut

Dries Van Noten is the textile artist of the three. The Belgian house layers florals, abstractions and unexpected colour into looks that feel composed rather than busy, then calms it all with fluid, wearable tailoring. There is almost no branding, so the appeal is for women who want art in their wardrobe without a logo. Shop the Dries Van Noten collection.

Marni: sculptural and a little subversive

Marni comes at colour from an Italian angle that is playful and slightly off-kilter. Where Dries leans painterly, Marni leans sculptural, with bold shapes, graphic stripes and a sense of humour in the proportions. It suits a woman who wants her clothes to feel a touch experimental.

Etro: paisley and bohemian heritage

Etro is the heritage house of the group, built on the paisley it has refined since the 1980s. Its world is warm, bohemian and rich with ornament, and its prints carry a Milanese sense of glamour. If your taste runs to jewel tones and decorative pattern, Etro is the natural home.

Which one is right for you?

Choose Dries Van Noten for painterly print and quiet, collectible luxury. Choose Marni if you want sculptural shapes and a sense of play. Choose Etro for paisley, ornament and bohemian warmth. A fourth name worth knowing is Erdem, the London house that brings a romantic, floral and more formal register to the same conversation.

Start with the prints

The best way to decide is to live with the clothes. Begin with a printed dress and a pair of statement trousers from the designer dresses and trousers edits, and read our guide on how to wear Dries Van Noten prints before you commit.