How to Wear a Floral Dress All Year Long
Floral prints never go out of style. And so, every season designers present new ways to wear them. For Spring 2017, brands such as Erdem and Alexander McQueen offered jeans, leather jackets, and trenches in floral prints, which felt both romantic and tough, while Gucci’s take came in bold and acidic embroidery. On the other end of the style spectrum, Phoebe Philo created a minimalist version at Celiné.
But with every new season, comes new challenges with styling: how do you make something old look new again? Is it about layering with a tough army jacket to play down the print’s sweetness, or taking a page from Gucci’s Alessandro Michele’s ‘more is more’ mantra and wearing a flouncy blouse underneath? To help answer these questions and more, W recruited 10 women – some of whom have not one floral dress in their closet – to give the same Prada dress their personal spin. This season is all about a positive, bold statement, from all women.
Dark, Romantic Florals For Spring Are, In Fact, Groundbreaking
“There’s a certain drama and sophistication in pitting spring’s florals against a dark palette.”
- Rickie De Sole, Fashion Market and Accessories Director
Coach 1941 dress, $795, and shorts, $295, similar styles at coach.com; Louis Vuitton boots, price upon request, louisvuitton.com.
Necklace from Simon Teakle, price upon request, simonteakle.com.
Attico dress, $3,446, net-a-porter.com.
Sonia Rykiel bag, $720, Sonia Rykiel, New York, 212.396.3060.
Alexander McQueen jacket, $8,275, Alexander McQueen, New York, 212.645.1797.
Roger Vivier sandals, $1,295, rogervivier.com.
“The architect—and famous leather daddy—has a surprising fondness for gladiolas, as this lush tome about his 12-acre Hamptons eden reveals.” -Alix Browne, Features Director
“This dusty pink baguette with floral embellishments is spring at its most refined.” -Sam Walker, Associate Accessories and Men’s Market Editor
“Even if it weren’t so on trend, I’d be into this retro swimsuit silhouette—it hides a multitude of sins!” -Karin Nelson, Senior Features Editor
“I love the handmade quality of this Victorian-style micro-mosaic design.” -Nora Milch, Senior Accessories Editor
“Simone Rocha knows how to do pretty in a slyly subversive way.” -Ryann Foulke, Assistant Fashion Editor
“What better way to ground the season’s sheer looks than with a pair of suede boots?” -Grace Fuller, Jewelry Editor
“This pocket-size edition of the brand’s centifolia–and–damask rose perfume is romantic without being girly.” -Mia Adorante, Associate Beauty Editor
“With embroidery this beautiful, who needs a dinner-table centerpiece?” -Esme Rene, Senior Photo Editor
“The single shoulder adds a sexy edge to the sweet floral pattern.” -Sarah Zendejas, Fashion Market Editor
