The fashion story this season is flower power. A single floral item can perk up your look without a big investment in a bad economy.
And in case you think florals are all granny and garden party, take another look.
“There’s exploded patterns that give more of a modern feeling,” says Gregg Andrews, a fashion director for Nordstrom. Think Andy Warhol.
Or swoony romanticism. “Artistic, almost impressionistic, interpretations of flowers,” he says. Perhaps Monet.
The point of it all? “To be happy in your clothes,” says Macy’s fashion director Nicole Fischelis.
And this good news from the experts: An eye-catching floral pattern can minimize figure flaws.
“The eye wants to continue the pattern, so it can hide a lot of lumps [and] can actually be a smoothing effect,” says Kathryn Finney, a 5-foot-10 size 16 who likes her florals big and bold.
Same camouflage applies to smaller women who crave to conceal a thing or two. Just choose smaller prints. Otherwise, says Finney, “it’ll appear that the print is almost eating you.”
Frugal Finney, who blogs at thebudgetfashionista.com, says “Floral prints can be a great way to stretch your wardrobe … to add jazz to an otherwise straightforward suit.”
And who among us couldn’t use a little jazz in our lives?
There’s never been more to choose from as store windows blossom with flower prints. You can’t miss ’em. A walk through huge retailers such as Old Navy turns up a floral version of almost everything: from teeny underthings to ample totes, long dresses, short skirts and tops from back-baring tees to flowy cover-up blouses. And for the wary or shy, floral accessories are huge. “We love printed shoes, the idea of a floral pump. A handbag or clutch and flower jewelry. Statement neckpieces with flowers are important as well,” says Fischelis.
Your best friend in all this is a mirror. Proportion is key. “Wherever you put a print, the eye’s going to travel there. If you put a floral print skirt on and you have a rather big bottom, people are going to look there,” says Finney. A better choice would be one print on a dress from shoulder to hem.
“A lot of women seem to be floral phobic,” says Andrews. “A really easy way to incorporate florals is a two-tone. Black and white, red and white, navy and white, where it has a bit of graphic feeling to it. It doesn’t feel as precious.”
“It’s not right to say petite woman or a large woman can’t wear florals. They have to feel right in it. They have to follow their instinct,” says Fischelis. But, she says, “there’s always a floral that looks right on your figure.”
The bountiful garden awaits.
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Why wear florals?
*Flowers are forgiving, hide lumps and rolls.
*One floral piece is a frugal, fashionable way to stretch your wardrobe, update neutral basics.
*Great way to welcome spring, dress up whites for summer, transition solid darks into fall.
*Versatility: Go girlie or toughen them up with boots, gladiator sandals, a motorcycle jacket or a big bad belt.
Floral how-to
*Don’t overdo it. One flowered piece is plenty — a pump, purse, dress, necklace, cardigan.
*Mixing more than one floral is hard to pull off; stick with one print.
*Flower phobic? Choose muted or tone-on-tone prints; a jacket lining; a pin-on fabric flower.
*Scale is key. Smaller flowers if you’re petite; larger prints on a bigger bod.
*Put the prints where you want to call attention.
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shopellen@tribune.com
