Fashion designers and stores are throwing a garden party, and everyone’s invited.
Fab florals–from sweet and small to bold and beautiful–are showing up everywhere. And looking fresh–on everything from ’50s-style sundresses to Lycra-spandex swimsuits, from raincoats to ruffled miniskirts.
“A flower print is the ultimate in femininity,” says Laura McDowell of T.J. Maxx. “And this is an overtly feminine fashion season, in terms of colors, prints and silhouettes. We have flirty skirts, bows on necklines, pretty hues including pink and yellow, even floral appliques on shoes and dresses.”
No flower has been overlooked. Poppies pop up on skirts at Ellen Tracy. Splashy tropicals bloom in glorious color on Lilly Pulitzer’s wide-legged pants. Tiny wildflowers dot soft, flowy chiffon dresses at Marc Jacobs, while huge stylized daisies envelop slim sheaths at Talbots.
Floral accessories also are grabbing their share of attention. Look for rose-bedecked straw hats and posy-printed pumps, as well as feminine hair accessories, flower pins, rose or dahlia-trimmed silk scarves, and eye-catching flower-strewn handbags.
Will all this flora make it to the workplace or will most blossoms flower in ballrooms or decorate garden parties?
It depends on the type of job, the color of the prints and the size of flowers.
“Less is best,” says Cassandra Wilson, an Atlanta corporate trend adviser. “A floral top and bottom is too much. Instead, go for a subtly patterned flower skirt and a solid jacket. Or wear a small-print top and a solid-colored trouser.”
For those who are print shy, an accessory is an easy way to incorporate the floral trend into a wardrobe. Again, don’t go overboard. A print bag is the right carryall for a summery white suit, while a pair of flower-bedecked shoes does wonders for a little black dress.
Wilson also points out that wearing a flower pinned onto a jacket lapel is certainly office appropriate.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Victoria Rodriguez ([email protected])
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