Find out how to wear this blooming trend.
Need to lose some inches in seconds? Consider wearing a floral pattern to sculpt your body and give you a slimming effect. “If you’re curvy, be sure to put a solid, dark belt with your floral piece to show off a tiny waist,” explains Cecelia Myers, the chief styling officer of online personal shopping site CakeStyle.
Not a fan of dresses? Floral pants are a stylish alternative and can be worn for work or casual outings. “We love these prints on structured menswear-inspired garments,” say Stitch Fix stylists Miranda Baham and Jocelyn Sanchez. “Pair floral printed skinny jeans with your favorite neutral blouse or even a t-shirt to look polished.”
Unlike other popular prints, floral is one design that can be worn by anyone, regardless of age. “If you’re in your 20s, you may want to go with bolder floral prints,” explains New York City-based stylist Sara Cooper. “If you’re a bit more conservative or in your 40s, try a more subdued, abstract floral print.”
Need to add some spring to your morning step? Consider rocking a floral print, which can be accessorized for day or night. “The benefit of wearing florals is that they can easily be dressed up or down, and despite what some may think, it’s not only for the daytime,” says celebrity stylist Jacqueline Rezak. “Throw on a cropped leather jacket over a floral dress and you have a totally acceptable evening outfit.” To give your gown some much-needed edge during the day, finish your look with aviator shades like actress Zoe Saldana.
There’s a reason why floral prints never go out of style, especially when the spring season kicks off: “Floral prints allow combinations of different spring colors to make visual sense and not overwhelm,” says Myers. “Combining multiple colors is great for bringing out the best of your skin tone.”
While floral prints work for anyone, there are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to enhancing your body. “Some forms of floral prints will work better than others,” say Baham and Sanchez. “If you’re petite, oversized floral prints can overwhelm your frame, so smaller, subtle prints will be more flattering. A symmetrical print that runs down the center of the garment is a look that is magically slimming.”
The floral trend is blooming everywhere and can be found in hats, purses and blazers, among other items. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the perfect piece to suit your personal style.
Want to try a more daring trend like sheer, but don’t know how? Look for a gown or blouse with a delicate floral print. It adds an extra pop of color, and also prevents the sheer fabric from becoming the main feature of your fashion.
When asked which is their most sought-after product for spring, Baham and Sanchez insist it’s their red tulip blouse from Collective Concepts. “We can’t keep it in stock!” say the ladies.
Wearing an all-floral dress may be tempting for those last-minute engagements when looking chic is a must, but be careful — it can be difficult to pull off. “Mixing in a pattern with a solid can always help to make one look more slimming,” says Rezak. “When wearing all solid colors, it can be hard to see where your top ends and your legs start! Mixing in a patterned skirt with a plain top can definitely help define the body and its best features.”
Want to look like a starlet strutting on the red carpet? According to Rezak, the choice on what to wear couldn’t be easier. “Every woman deserves to show their feminine side and should feel comfortable doing so with a little floral print this spring.”