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Why florals are trending this summer

"Florals? For spring? Ground-breaking!" remarked Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. This must be one of the most famous lines from the cult film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. Yes, floral does not sound inspiring and, in many ways, is even clichéd, but, on the other hand, what would Spring/Summer be without some blooms? And while they may not be "ground-breaking", no summer wardrobe is complete without them. So, there is nothing wrong with revisiting this trend at this time of the year.
Fashion, somehow, always manages to add a new twist to this pattern. This year, too, florals have been given a makeover. In the year The Devil Wears Prada released - 2006, to be precise - the bubble skirt and baby doll were go-to shapes for summer. These, combined with florals, made for a look that was too 'girlie' for my liking. So, I took Miranda Priestly's words literally and avoided the print. Cut to present, even Miranda herself would realise that florals can be fashion forward.
Inspired by past traditions, many design houses have actually managed to give beautiful blooms a fresh look. Leading the pack is Gucci, where its creative director Alessandro Michele is using '60s and '70s-inspired floral prints for a neutral piece, teaming them with other bold patterns and then adding lots of accessories for good measure.
However, if you are 'more is more' type, then this is how you should be wearing your flowers this summer. Think of how Preen and Peter Pilotto have interplayed different floral prints. It adds a bold dimension to the way you wear florals and, for me, that is the key to flaunting them this season - it has to be bold and daring. Think dark backgrounds with large floral prints that have become Erdem's signature. Yep, even flowers can have a dark and gothic take on life.
This season, there is truly a floral for everyone - a more refined way of wearing this trend is how Louis Vuitton presents it. The brand has turned to tapestry with florals, and has a more botanical take on the print. You could also take a trip to the Orient - this was a look that became popular last year. There's something dark and mysterious about Far East's take on this pattern, and while it's feminine, it's not overly girlie.
If you already have lots of florals, simply update your look by adding a new handbag - from Miu Miu's crystal-encrusted floral handbag to Zara's flower print bucket bags - we all know a girl can never have enough of these arm candies.
Of course, if you are the romantic type, there are plenty of pretty florals that will always be around in summer. But I have a feeling if Miranda Priestly saw you wearing these blooms, she might say, "You have no style or fashion sense."
sujata@khaleejtimes.com

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