Florals and spring go hand in hand, so it’s no wonder that fashion designers use natural patterns in their collections every year. While there isn’t anything new about florals and it’s associations with the season, there are still endless ways to pair this pattern in your outfits.
The following outfit ideas will add a touch of style and substance to your wardrobe.
Fashion designers tend to despise synthetic fabric as a rule, but floral prints can’t stand cheap or synthetic materials: it’s like buying an artificial bouquet. If you wanted to send orchids from The Bouqs Co., the best thing to do in this scenario is purchase farm-fresh flowers straight from the source. The same could be said about fabrics. Always choose silk, velvet, or cotton over cheap.
As a positive, 100% cotton shirts aren’t often more expensive than synthetic fabrics because they last longer. Unless you’re buying from a luxury brand, it pays to go for noble materials.
Flower patterns and pastels work well together because they’re a safer option for most outfits. Bigger prints will resemble wallpaper, while small flowers are more high-fashion. Choose a flowing maxi skirt with a white shirt or blouse when working with pastels.
A washed-out flower pattern looked like its namesake. Plenty of fashion designers would compare a washed-out floral dress or a paired fitted suit to a renaissance painting. It’s difficult to pair washed-out patterns with other clothing unless they’re plain.
Fruity, bold, or acid shades of flowers can be show-stopping. Red shades look quite lovely on jackets, while purples look great on pants or jeans. People on the streets will turn their heads to look at you, so give them something to stare at by keeping the whole outfit neon.
When you think florals, “dark” isn’t something that comes to mind, but the contrast between a bright pattern on a black shirt looks baroque and modern. Mix these shades with leather, black, or any shade of jeans. Contrasting pale shades will also work. These are usually great for date night outfits.
Small flower prints on a dress or a pair of pants are seen as discreet but can mimic an impressionist painting. Tiny prints are fantastic for not creating a weird volume illusion.
When you wear a blouse with big patterns, no one will wonder what kind of pattern is on your shirt. Avoid large patterns if you’re wide unless you want to wear a fluid piece, like a dress.
A pattern that’s “placed” is put on a clothing item in a specific area and doesn’t repeat. Designers will often put placed patterns at the bottom of the shirt, so it looks like flowers are sprouting from your waistline. Make sure the pattern is wholly seen and not covered up.
A “perfect” floral pattern is typically made in a factory where the design is repeated over and over again. Both calico and liberty patterns have little pace between them and look similar to a well-planned painting. Add leather to the outfit if you want to avoid an innocent look.
Often paired with a red base, Asian-themed floral prints look like pottery on the human form. Asian floral prints look incredible on evening clothing, silk fabrics, and on dresses. Some prints will be close together, while others will be strategically placed around the base of a shirt.
If you have a thing for structured looks, a graphic-style flower print will work for you. Graphic prints look great on almost everything, especially chunky sweaters, flowing pants, or crop tops. It’s better to choose a muted second piece of clothing to go with graphic floral prints.
Drawn prints don’t necessarily have to be drawn by hand, but they appear to be made by a creative child. Often called “naive” print, they look innocent when embroidered onto shoes or shirts. Embroidered floral overalls are big show stoppers on the runway, especially in the 90’s.
