“He really knows how to make a dress for a woman and really celebrate women and I think he just did fantastic dresses for this campaign.”
That’s Sarah Jessica Parker gushing about her go-to designer Oscar de la Renta, who custom made the floral strapless dress she wears in new ads for her latest perfume, SJP NYC. You don’t have to have a high-end designer on speed dial though to get into the floral trend. Talbots is featuring plenty of floral designs this Spring with printed sweaters, pencil skirts and dresses including the $169 Gypsy Rose Floral Dress (see in photo). Michael Smaldone, Chief Creative Officer of Talbots, says the inspiration for the print “originated from a piece of vintage wallpaper we found.” Now, Michael shares five tips for wearing floral.
COLOR IS YOUR FRIEND
While basic black will always be your wardrobe staple; don’t be scared to introduce vibrant colors and floral patterns into your repertoire. Use color to express your personality and watch it do amazing things to your skin tone. Let the floral piece, such as a dress, be the focus of your ensemble. You shouldn’t need much more than a clutch and a great pair of shoes to complete your look. If all over pattern seems overwhelming, add a layering piece like a classic cardigan or blazer to tone down the print.
MIX IT UP
Those who are a little more daring can feel free to mix prints with textured pieces or even with other prints. The key is to keep both pieces in the same color family and make sure the prints are around the same size. A floral cardigan or a tweed dress worn separately may feel standard – but mixing the two together is an unexpected way to bring new life to your wardrobe staples/modernize a retro print.
CINCH AT THE WAIST
The wide belt is the perfect accessory to pair with a feminine floral dress. By wearing a belt around the smallest part of your torso you are emphasizing your waist and playing up curves while adding a break in the print to create interest. Adding a belt, alone or even over a cardigan, is the perfect way to make your printed pieces work for the office. Belting a floral dress at the waist adds an air of sophistication to an otherwise whimsical pattern. Playful or classic, skinny or wide, belts are a dramatic way of adding a pop and polish to your outfit. Like the First Lady, add a colorful wide belt, cinch it at the waist and make a bold statement for Spring!
BRIGHT TIGHTS BIG STATEMENT
Another way to punch up a floral print is to wear it with a bright pair of tights. Pick a non-dominant color within the floral print – such as the green leaves in a mostly pink pattern – and add a pair of tights to match. Make sure to pick an opaque pair in a saturated color to balance out the bold print.
STRAPPY, SEXY SANDALS
Ditch the cardigan and add a pair of strappy sandals to take a floral print from girly to glam. Adding sexy heels keep a floral frock from looking too innocent while taking the look from day to night. Add a solid clutch and chunky jewelry and you should be ready to go!
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