How To Wear Florals This Spring

We are officially out of 2019's starting blocks and it's time to start plotting and planning out those spring and summer looks. If one thing says "new season", it's floral prints.

For SS19, blooms and blossoms flourished over the catwalks in all possible guises: ranging from surfer-girl sport prints to delicate tapestry-inspired brocades. Put simply, there's a floral for everyone. Even if you haven't stepped out in such a print since you left your tween years, you might find yourself convinced over the next few months.

At Louis Vuitton, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière kicked off a line of floral looks with a pair of dungarees decked out in a peachy print of roses set against a metallic background. It sounds much prettier and more delicate than the reality. The tailored silhouette was paired with a Joan of Arc-esque

body of armour and lace-up boots for a result more punk than pretty. Take inspiration by looking out for tougher silhouettes that come in delicate floral prints. It's all in the juxtaposition and this Topshop jacket is a good place to start. 

In contrast, Pierpaolo Piccioli's floral vision at Valentino championed uber-feminine silhouettes with blown-up florals in colour-block shades. The dresses might be the stuff of 2019 prom dreams, but the prints also have a retro appeal. It's in thrift shops and vintage stores that you'll find the best reiterations of this take on florals, just watch out how you style them. Chunky modern sandals will inject a touch of the today, while forgoing any sort of eye make-up will keep things on the right side of vintage. The same rules apply if you're going to trial the sepia-toned versions seen at Chloe.

If the beach is your summertime fave, then the next floral take is the one for you. Hawaii is the destination and surfer-girl hibiscus prints are how you're wearing blooms. This was none the more evident at Alexa Chung's debut London Fashion Week show. For her namesake label, Alexa proved how much she loves this take by applying it head to toe in a light silk fabric. Michael Kors and Molly Goddard are also holidaying at the same resort. The ever-glam Kors has chilled out for spring/summer 2019, choosing bright bold shades in all manner of clothes: zip-up hoodies, kick-hem skirts and athletic bralets, while Molly has taken the prints ruffled them up and so too in necklines that stay open to the midriff. Etro took it a step further by tucking a surfboard under the arm of one of its models.

And then there was Versace. A loud and clear, can't-miss it energy that took neat floral prints, layered them, mashed them up and upped the ante with primary brights contrasting against polite jade green and lilac hues. It's a real favourite way to wear florals that deserves to sit front and centre of your SS19 wardrobe.

Vogue