Your floral preference

May 20th, 2008

As predicted, there have been loads of floral designs on skirts, dresses, tunics and tops this season. I think there is a floral for everyone, even if you don’t like prints.

I tend to like floral patterns that are abstract or geometric. Sometimes they are nicest when the actual floral design is a little hard to discern. I don’t like florals that look like Sanderson floral upholstery, or ditsy country-flower prints. I tend to tire of this type of print quickly. I might like the freshness of the vibrant colours at first glance, but I’ve had enough of the look after two minutes.

If you prefer to keep your clothing print free, there is also the option of floral printed shoes. I like this option and last season’s Faryl Robin shoes are still going strong. Do you like floral patterns, and if so, what kinds?

Bailey 44 'Clean Sweep' Dress Nicole Miller Metallic Silk Dress Diane von Furstenberg 'Caledonia' Printed Wrap Dress

These are my kind of florals, but busier and brighter designs can be just as fab and very Summery. Horses for courses!


 

15 Replies

Posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Ana

I like the same types of florals as you, but I’m really picky about wearing them. I do have some embroidered floral ballet flats and I LOVE them. I wear them every summer. I’m hoping I’ll be able to wear them with my clamdiggers (kind of retro 50s style).

Thanks for the post.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Ana Ortiz

I do have some cloth with floral designs but I am gradually getting rid of it. I am preferring solid colors. I do like the touch of some kind of design in shoes. I have a pair of brown sandals with tiny gold and purple flowers than I am planning to wear this summer. If we ever get summer in New York this year!!!

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:54 am

Looking in my closet, I can honestly say that there are only 2 items that are floral and they are bold graphic-y style. Both are black and white. I prefer my patterns to be more on the graphic side and, like you, tire easily of the country, ditzy style of florals. I do, however, get some feminine touches with eyelet and embroidery since I like to do texture more than print in my wardrobe.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:46 am
m

i love florals! i like the woodblock, indian, chinese type prints. i don’t tend to like the more euro looking prints, whether tiny laura ashley prints or the really geometric abstract looking ones. sweet pea by stacy frati has some lovely florals that cheer up a boring work day.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Maya

Get ready for a big surprise: I agree with you Angie. I have the same floral inclinations. I especially love that yellow dress in the middle. The coloring is fantastic.

I definitely steer clear of the Laura Ashley stuff. It has to be the frumpiest print on earth.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am

I usually avoid wearing floral patterns…I’m not the tallest or slimmest person ;) I do, however, love to wear ornate, flowery shoes! However, Angie, I do love that yellow dress.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Lisa

I love hibiscus prints :)

I also agree with what Angie wrote above.

I really like clothing that is one or two colors…three at most.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Tanya

I agree with you on types of florals Angie. I do have two tops wth small floral prints tough that somehow manage not to look upholstery-like (at least I hope so:)
And that DVF dress is to die for!

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
cathy

I have not worn floral prints that much mostly due to worries about my size; ie, fears of larger prints, etc. I bought a floral tunic type top Monday that feels like something I would wear for a couple of seasons. It’s sheer with a square gathered neck and sleeveless and the floral print is graphic with big flowers in bright colors. I’m more in to abstract prints though and wish more of the painterly and artsy stuff had hit the low end.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
m

i think florals look their BEST on thicker women, we have the space to carry off teh pattern, and it emphasises the femininity of an hourglass figure. someone really slim might look chlidlike in a pink floral dress but at a size 14, it looks lushly feminine. imo.

Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Joey

Don’t like big prints on big bodies like mine–just emphasizes the big-ness of things. The whole moo-moo image comes to mind. ekkkkk. Most of the florals I have are sweet pea tops that are fitted. I have one dress with abstract floral design–lots of negative space is the only reason it works. Mostly, I prefer small prints or solids. Call me a frump! I do admire floral print shoes, but they don’t end up in my closet for fear they have limited shelf life and will be difficult to pair with outfits.

Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 7:13 am
Joey

Oh yeah, I keep florals to tops exclusively. Big florals on big butts is just WRONG!

Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 7:14 am
Yvonne

Well, I guess I am the odd one out here. I like many types of florals including small prints. I am not a big fan of the very large florals for myself. Graphic florals or abstract can be nice. I have some tops that are florals and some skirts that are florals. I love flowers any way! :)

Posted on May 22nd, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Here on this side of the world (France) we are seeing a lot of florals too, but my favourite are the ones on long long dresses like those featured in the D&G shows. The flowers are a lot smaller and clustered together then the ones on your photos. I also like the larger graphic florals as those from Gucci (especially the yellow/white ones on black). Love this blog btw!! Just discovered it today :-)

Posted on June 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 am

[...] As much as I love the pure, clean-cut and versatile edge of solids, my wardrobe would feel bland without patterns. I love the surge of excitement that I get when I see one that I adore. And it’s always love at first site (patterns never seem to grow on me – I either love them or I don’t). My favourite pattern of all time is polka dots in all its variations. There’s just something so fun, fresh, modern, graphic and retro about a spotty vibe. Next would be geometrics and after that abstract florals. [...]

Posted on April 14th, 2009 at 7:00 am

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