Floral Fashion Trend, Summer 2008
From Floral-Print Dresses To Flower-Power Designer Bags and Shoes
With the onset of spring and summer it’s no surprise that seasonal florals rear their head once again. From roses to poppies to daises and oriental sprigs, high-street stores are in full bloom.
This season fashion florals have emerged bigger, brighter and bolder, “a world away from last year’s delicate prints,” according to the Telegraph in "Notes on a Trend:Florals" of 12 March 2008. Everywhere you look there are lush painterly flowers from the traditional to the abstract, on shoes, bags, belts, dresses, skirts and shirts.
If all this petal power is a bit overpowering, you can tone down striking shapes with simple accessories. If you have womanly curves don’t go too overboard with florals but work the look by matching a print top with a solid color below or vis-a-versa.
Pair a simple white shirt (the hit of the season) with a flowing floral skirt. Says the Telegraph , “If you are feeling adventurous, mix and match separates for an eclectic take.” If you dare, co-ordinate a bold printed shirt with a skirt that has smaller florals (a la designer Dries Van Noten). A look that perhaps only Kate Moss and similarly tall, slender waifs can carry off with aplomb!
Floral Print Dresses and Jumpsuits
It is the season of dresses, with major UK high-street chains like Top Shop, Warehouse, Whistles, Next and Principles splashing out on showy florals on their shifts, smocks and maxis to keep your wardrobe blossoming.
Spring designer collections of Balenciaga, Prada, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren are “exploding with fresh floral prints of everything from sweet poppies and carnations to elegant amaryllises and orchids,” says Ellecanada.com in their article "Top Fashion Must-Haves for 2008."
Venezuelan born designer Carolina Herrera, the darling of the socialites, comes into her own when it comes to striking floral prints. Her Spring/Summer and Resort collection on this year’s New York runways featured light day dresses in dramatic brick reds and peony pinks, and look-at-me oversized floral cocktail and evening wear. Her timeless chic embroidered florals on crisp cotton whites are sure to impress the ladies-who-lunch set.
An alternative to dresses is this season's seventies revival in jumpsuits. Two floral favorites are from Stella McCartney's Ready-to-wear Spring and Summer range.
Floral Handbags and Shoes
Give a nod to the floral trend by teaming a flowery print bag or shoe with single block-color outfit. In her must-haves of the moment, Candy Pratts Price of Style.com features some of the liveliest prints.
In deference to the nautical trend, Balenciaga’s offering of nautical-shaped duffle covered in large splashy florals. This Giant Seau bag with Fler Fluo print (priced at $1,325) is sure to last through several seasons. Dolce & Gabbana’s elegant Silk organza painted pump ($995) also adds a unique twist to the trend with its floral painted heel.
Floral Accessories
If you want to avoid looking like a flower girl and if floral prints are really not your thing, then try a fun corsage or a simple silk scarf. A scarf is not just a simple accessory. According to the Telegraph's "It’s Time to Study the Classics," of 10 March 2008. “It’s a way of wafting you elegantly past trends you don’t necessarily want to commit your whole person to but don’t mind showing you know about.”
Florals for Autumn/Winter 2008
The floral trend is definitely one to watch as it is set to remain for several seasons. For Autumn/Winter 2008, women's fashion collections (such as Chloé and John Galliano) have been pairing soft floaty florals with fur or tweed jackets, to harden the look. Therefore these “annual” blooms are set to become the “perennial” look of fashion.
