Happy New Year Stylish ones. As we wave farewell to 2016, I’m bringing you a post celebrating newness, in fact it’s a rather gorgeous bunch of fresh spring flowers. Yes, we’re talking every kind of bloom: home, garden, clothing and art – even tattoos. Stay with me here. It’ll be pretty. Promise.
Let’s start with one of my favourite trends for spring, Wallflowers. 70s and retro-style, ‘wallpaperish’ prints ran a glorious and colourful riot over many a designer catwalk, often nostalgic but sometimes worked into thoroughly modern collections that with a nod to prints of the past, took them firmly into the future. The Chloe show didn’t disappoint whilst staying true to the bohemian roots of the brand these prints felt fresh. Pretty off the shoulder tops that will flutter on light summer breezes, 70s yes, but most definitely ‘now’.
Next up, Isabel Marant. Never one to disappoint with her boho modernity. Morris & Co style wallflowers with hot sporty metallics and a pumped up volume.
A relatively new find for me; Gary Graham NYC ‘s furnishing-feel fabrics crafted into romantic, nomadic, bohemian and free-spirited pieces. I want them all.
From left, the darker blooms from the high street; New Look black off-the-shoulder top £19.99; Miss Selfridge floral and lace hi neck top £28, John Lewis; New Look black floral print tie waist blouse, £19.99.
Primary pops of cartoon colour from Carven.
A bold choice of furnishings from Missoni Home at Amara. Left: Parma bath mat £102; Sorrento cushion £202.
Queen of the abstract floral, Orla Kiely now offers her iconic prints in a plethora of products from beauty, fashion and homeware and as shown here, watches. Left: Stem mesh strap watch £115, Amara; Patricia watch, £79.95, Amara.
Soft, delicate, faded florals from Zimmerman injecting the romance back into the summer of love. Look to layering, ruffles, lace and bleached peach. Pretty perfect for girls that say ‘I do’.
Zara floral printed blazer £29.99 (sale). Just gorgeous with peach lace and ruffles. Buy now dig out for summer weddings later. You’re welcome.
The scented artwork for your home: Fornasetti Ortensia candle £115. Amara.
Sweetly subtle or politely punchy rocked up with leather jacket and denim. Topshop fine filigree floral blouse £45.
Need some inspiration on how to wear your florals? Here’s a little taster of how the fash-pack wear theirs. Luckily floral prints are perennials so although the blooms shown here have faded from the shops, the way to wear stays the same. Rules can be broken: floral pants or light chiffon skirts, normally the norm on far flung beaches, look great with chunky knits and big coats. Denim will downplay a heady floral and give it an edge.
Fancy a little touch of furnishing fabric to work a little ‘wallflower’ magic in your own home? Here’s a pick of the bunch available at John Lewis. From left Chelsea Floral; Harlequin Nalina and Morris & Co Strawberry Thief all available from John Lewis.
Not technically a floral print BUT beautiful vases for your blooms. From £12, M&S.
If you’re in the market for filling one of the above vases and a post xmas treat-to-self, take a look at Scarlet & Violet for beautiful, oil painting-worthy bouquets.
A spring gathering
If you’re London based and value a greener delivery service, try one of my favourites, Petalon, for pretty posies delivered by bicycle. Everything is biodegradable or recyclable and £1 from every bunch sold is donated to Bee Collective. I just love how the bunches come delicately wrapped in hessian and arrive without contributing to the pollution in London. Petal Power indeed.
Off-the-shoulder stunner. £130, Debut at Debenhams, coming to a sofa near you soon.
Just add fairy cakes. Wedgwood’s wickedly beautiful Butterfly Bloom side plates,£85 for a set of four, Amara.
Some bouquets of loveliness from Monsoon & Accessorize: left, Fliss print dress £69, right, Eliana jacket £99.
Some of ‘The Stylish Stuff Loves’ from the Monsoon/Accessorize press day back in November.
Accessorise posey floral zip top clutch, £35; Kyoto statement necklace £25.
Why have I been so preoccupied with flowers of late? Possibly because I’m planning another flower tattoo and have been busy making Pinterest boards. No doubt I’ll fall back on my fail safe Charles Rennie Mackintosh watercolours for inspiration but in the meantime, here’s an illustration of my journey thus far. Watch this space. (images/Pinterest)
And so to bed. The Stylish Stuff Loves Lily and Lionel’s Winnie Opaline floral pjs, £90. The top looks great layered over a lightweight white v neck tee and jeans, because, quite frankly it’s criminal not to show it off.
Fashion & Style Director Shelly Vella
PR and Pinterest images used throughout