Floral dress season has been declared open, and a bunch of celebs (Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Pamela Anderson) were the first to show off their new takes on the look.
In recent seasons the flower’s appeal had begun to wane; Last year a spokesman for John Lewis attempted to kill them. But flowers, the hardy perennial of fashion prints, are making a comeback in 2024.
So how to make such an item? everywhere Do you feel really fresh? There were plenty of new designs to consider in the spring runway collections, from graphic patchworks at Chanel to enlarged single trunks at Alexander McQueen. These ideas were translated on the high street; This spring you can find original illustrated prints and quirky graphics, or opt for something beyond a print with 3D embellishment or floral brocade.
Choosing a dress that depicts a specific flower rather than a vague thumbnail can make your outfit look more expensive; you want the look to reflect a luxury delivery from Flowerbx rather than a cheap bunch from a gas station.
Kitri designer Haeni Kim advises shoppers to look for dresses that “keep floral prints in an unexpected twist with playful use of silhouette, color and fabric.”
“We look at vintage clothing and images a lot for floral inspiration,” she says. “This is a great way to start as they add a sense of timelessness to the prints.” Large size tulips will be the most preferred this year. “We play with scale, proportion and color to create a change,” he adds.
Albaray founder Karen Peacock worked with floral artist Wilder & Wren to develop an original wildflower design. “The prints have a unique and organic look, giving the florals a fresh spin for the new season,” she notes. This year’s silhouettes tend to be more structured, featuring crisp linen and cotton blends “to keep the dresses from flying too much.”
Whether it’s the particular print you choose or the way you style it, here are seven ideas that will make any floral dress outfit feel fresh this year.
Blur
Gwyneth Paltrow’s abstract hydrangea dress is speckled but still specific. Many of the cheaper floral dresses seen on the high street every year are printed with small flowers; This blurred print is effective because the flowers can still be distinguished. Paltrow’s structured silhouette also holds up to soft-focus print well. Paltrow poses with author Nicole Avant, who opted for a graphic floral maxi dress.
shirt dress
It is a cut shirt dress that makes any floral print look office-friendly. The sharp neckline and cropped waist of Natalie Portman’s new Dior dress make it look even more edgy — but it still looks so good she could wear it to lunch with friends.
ball gown
Strapless prom dresses are designed for a summer revival and look especially vintage-toned when embroidered with florals. Reese Witherspoon added a red cardigan to her look later in the day.
Say no to coaches
The floral dress and sneakers combo is a tried and tested combination – but one easy update anyone can do is swap out their Sambas for Mary Janes or ballet flats this spring. Kelly Rutherford chose a monochrome patterned Erdem midi, which meant she could wear shiny black accessories.
Try blooming in flowers
This year, instead of wearing a denim jacket over your floral dress, why not add another floral piece? Vogue editor Anna Wintour wore a khaki trench coat with more floral embroidery on the sleeves and hem, over another floral dress.
Graphic effects
The unibody motif looks dramatic and feels particularly different to other prints on the high street. Serena Williams wears a mesh intarsia floral dress by Balmain, with a monochrome rose as the focal point.
charming flower
A floral dress doesn’t necessarily have to include prints. Pamela Anderson’s Oscar de la Renta dress features sequined petals; On the high street, Sister Jane is lined with the finest jewelery and has a rich selection of brocades, allowing you to take the floral vibe from day to night.
Eight of the best floral dresses to buy
Araminta dress, £195, Kitri; Brocade dress, £139, Sister Jane
Shirt dress, £895, Virtue; Lena dress, £550, Bernadette
Cap sleeve dress, £195, I + Em; Pressed floral maxi dress, £110, albaray
Floral dress, £45, Marks & Spencer; Jacquard dress, £218, Ganni