3 Chic Ways to Wear Florals

Photo courtesy American Eagle. Originally posted in The LOOK

I don't consider myself a very 'flowery' kind of girl. Floral perfumes make me sneeze and daisy printed dresses remind me of bad 90's fashion choices I'd rather forget (insert shudder here).

But as with so many things in life, there are always exceptions to the rule. And when done right, florals don't have to look sickeningly sweet at all. Floral are actually super chic when worn the right way and the pretty flowery finds in stores now have definitely inspired me to add some buds to my spring wardrobe...

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Garden Party

Dress with Ballerina Neckline, $125, TRISTAN

At the Ann Taylor and Forever 21 Fall '13 Preview. Photo by George Pimentel

I'm not one to wear my love of flowers overtly on my sleeve - or my skirts or my pants for that matter. It's not that I don't like florals but let's just say I'm pretty picky when picking my posies, petunias and other floral fabrics. Flowers can easily look super young, super old or just super tack; I generally try to avoid looking like any of the aforementioned. 

When I spied this dress at Tristan the other week, I felt like I'd stepped straight into a Giverny scene. It's bright, cheery and perfectly Impressionistic and made me feel instantly happy on an otherwise blah day. On its own, the dress does look a little too sweet, a little too la dee dah for me, so I threw on a biker bomber to tone it down. On a hot day like today, I'd add a sexy black ankle strap sandal for some grown-up edge.

You like? You love? I hope somebody gets married or has a baby stat so I can rock this frock at the next shower...

Pattern Play

1. Feather Chiffon Skirt, $24.90, Garage; 2. Bird Print Blouse, $27, Smart Set; 3. Bird Print Scarf, $17, Smart Set; 4. Sleeveless Crepe Blouse, $29.95, H&M; 5. Feather Scarf, $19.90, Dynamite

1. Geometric Cradle Bag, American Eagle Outfitters, $20; 2. Aztec Fringed Scarf, $12.90, Garage; 3. Dolman-Sleeved Tee, $22.90, Garage; 4. Dollhouse Wedges, $39.99, Journeys; 5. Tribal Bandeau Bikini, Aerie; 6. Geo Printed Tiered Skirt, Aeropostale; 7. Putamayo World Music CD: Mexico, $14.99, Green Earth; 8. Belt, Ardene

1. Preen Pixelated Peep-Toe, $175, ALDO; 2. Pencil Skirt, $59.95, H&M; 3. Kate & Mel Espadrilles, $59.95,Town Shoes; 4. Floral Printed Dress, $86, Cleo; 5. Printed Stretch Trousers, $17.95, H&M

1. Kristin Embossed Python Cross-Body Bag, $238, Coach; 2. Python iPad Case, $39, Danier; 3. Printed Blouse, $34.95, H&M; 4. Python Pumps, $110, Guess; 5. Python Bucket Bag, $52, Cleo; 6. Double-Weave Snake Print Pants, $99.95, Le Château

With all of the prints out there, we often avoid them altogether in case we get it wrong.  Well fear not, my budding print-cesses - once you've played with all of this spring's prettiest prints, you'll wonder why you didn't embrace pattern sooner.   Whether you wear these prints as an accent or go full-blown floral from tip to toe, make sure the print speaks to you.  After all, if nothing else, prints are highly personal.

Bird Prints - Let pics of our feathered friends add some interest to basic separates.  Think bird prints are a juvenile trend?  Even Christopher Bailey from Burberry incorporated owls into his Fall 2012 collection. Whoo-hoot!

Aztec Influences - Look to the eclectic prints of Mexico for an instant update to your spring wardrobe.  (Margaritas optional)

Pixelated Florals - Flowers go futuristic this spring, with oversized buds and graphic florals taking over.

Python Prints - The reptile trend is still going strong.  If you've already mastered neutral python prints, look for snake prints in bright colours or pastels to look extra current

Other big prints for spring?  Hawaiian/tropical florals, paisley (yes, it's back!) and tribal, African-inspired patterns.  Stripes, as always, are still totally chic.  Glad to see some things never change!