Announcing the return of warm weather by wearing flowers doesn’t seem like anything new.
In fact, the mere suggestion of floral prints may have you muttering a sarcastic “innovative,” to quote Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.
But don’t dismiss this trend out of hand, because this year has something more to offer. I’m not talking about delicate, blooming floral tea dresses that, frankly, are motherly. Instead, the look is all about bold, vibrant, oversized blooms that are eye-catching and impactful.
As such, now is the time to ditch the so-called stealth richness palette of understated neutrals. Yes, they are easy on the eyes and often considered dressier, but this time of year calls for a cheerful explosion of color.
Dress £165, Anthropologie; shoes €39.50 and bag €35
Dress £139, Phase Eight; shoes £149 Penelope Chilvers; bag £29.50, Marks & Spencer; earrings £32, mint velvet
Dress £225 Kitri Studio; shoes £325, Russell & Bromley; earrings £29, mint velvet
Dress £240, Essentiel Antwerp
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour offered a masterclass on how to style the botanical trend as host of the recent Met Gala.
She paid homage to the Garden of Time theme in a black Loewe coat dotted with red and yellow tulips that said “look at me” for all the right reasons.
Instead of drowning the coat in a sea of small blooms, the larger, tactically spaced blooms offered a level of sophistication that many daisy-print designs lack.
She also understood that bold florals should be paired with understated pieces, hence a simple cream dress underneath that let her floor-length coat do the talking.
And the High Street is heeding the same lessons. Burberry sent gothic florals to its SS24 runway, proving that the style is far from kitschy, and this black dress from Anthropologie does the same. Brighten up the look with accessories like this Marks & Spencer bag, £35, which highlights the orange of the print.
Dress £239, Hobbs; shoes £149, Penelope Chilvers
Jacket £69, Marks & Spencer; dress, £275 Me + Em; shoes £99 Phase Eight; necklace £115, Ottoman Hands; earrings £90, hot diamonds
Dress £118.50, Karen Millen
Dress £160, Kitri Studio
Fans of the color clash look the other way now, but 2024’s florals pair best with accessories in similar hues. Keep footwear simple. If a heel or wedge seems excessive to you, then less flashy sneakers are an acceptable option.
You can also opt for a unique, eye-catching flower, like this striking Hobbs dress with an oversized peony. You can find the same print on a shirt, which will pair well with plain pants.
So embrace bold floral prints and sign up for summer fashion that’s all about having fun.