Decoding floral print dresses | SS21 Trend
Perennial Florals
Floral prints are a given at this time of year, emerging annually to herald the arrival of the spring/summer season, but this year they come imbued with an added resonance. Flowers are symbolic of renewal and after the year that was, a fresh start in any guise is warmly welcomed.
In a more literal sense, this season’s floral prints are a tribute to nature, a reflection of our restored appreciation for the great outdoors, our saving grace during each lockdown as the only arena for exercise, socialising and escape from the claustrophobia of our homes.
It’s no wonder then that the SS21 catwalks erupted with bountiful blooms, from dainty ditsy prints for the more bohemian amongst us, to the abstract for those who prefer a more directional approach.
Demand for floral dresses has reached new heights – or indeed lengths (mini, midi, maxi – take your pick), their throw-on-and-go ease embodying a lighter mood as we collectively shrug off a heavy winter.
Perennial Florals
Floral prints are a given at this time of year, emerging annually to herald the arrival of the spring/summer season, but this year they come imbued with an added resonance. Flowers are symbolic of renewal and after the year that was, a fresh start in any guise is warmly welcomed.
In a more literal sense, this season’s floral prints are a tribute to nature, a reflection of our restored appreciation for the great outdoors, our saving grace during each lockdown as the only arena for exercise, socializing and escape from the claustrophobia of our homes.
It’s no wonder then that the SS23 catwalks erupted with bountiful blooms, from dainty ditsy prints for the more bohemian amongst us, to the abstract for those who prefer a more directional approach.
Demand for floral dresses has reached new heights – or indeed lengths (mini, midi, maxi – take your pick), their throw-on-and-go ease embodying a lighter mood as we collectively shrug off a heavy winter.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
Print dresses don’t have to be an event. This season features plenty of casual dresses that are perfect for parks, picnics and pub gardens.
But even those more elevated styles, from swing silhouettes to tailored fits, don’t have to be saved for best. We’ve waited long enough to feel good, why wait a second longer? Parade your prints on city strolls, trips to art galleries, dinner with friends. The secret is in the styling.
Floral Dresses to Bookmark
SILK COTTON SILHOUETTE FLORAL DRESS
This swing dress is crafted from a lightweight blend of silk and cotton. With its semi-sheer finish, we’ve lined the body fully to avoid any transparency, leaving the sleeves unlined to just reveal the silhouette of your arms as a chic alternative to wearing a sleeveless design in summer. Our signature invisible zip at the front allows you to choose your neckline, a clever design device that caters to all bust sizes.
Cut to be knee-length, the hemline of the Silhouette Floral Dress curves around the knee to drop lower at the back for added coverage (ideal for sitting in, there is nothing less appealing than sticking to a chair in summer), with a double-layered skirt providing plenty of movement and drama as you walk.
GARDEN FLORAL SLIP POCKET TEA DRESS
What’s clever about the fabric of this maxi dress is that it’s a machine washable satin, meaning that it looks polished and elevated yet is easy to care for, the ideal floral dress for summer weddings and events (now that rules are easing and guest lists are expanding, occasion dressing is back on the radar). Dark green side stripes lend a sports-luxe element that cuts through the prettiness of the floral print, a subtle detail that makes this tea dress as easy to style with trainers as with heels for day-to-evening practicality.
GARDEN FLORAL SLIP POCKET TEA DRESS
What’s clever about the fabric of this maxi dress is that it’s a machine washable satin, meaning that it looks polished and elevated yet is easy to care for, the ideal floral dress for summer weddings and events (now that rules are easing and guest lists are expanding, occasion dressing is back on the radar). Dark green side stripes lend a sports-luxe element that cuts through the prettiness of the floral print, a subtle detail that makes this tea dress as easy to style with sneakers as with heels for day-to-evening practicality.
SILHOUETTE FLORAL FLUID SLEEVE DRESS
An elegant, feminine silhouette belies the technical design and versatility of this midi dress. An adjustable waist allows you to achieve the perfect fit, secured at the back with a sporty toggle to keep a clean design at the front. A matching detachable necktie can be styled loosely or in a Seventies-inspired pussybow, or excluded for a clean, pared-back look – adapt accordingly to suit your preference and to achieve a new look for different occasions. Machine washable georgette gives the dress that fluid movement, enhanced with wide sleeves and a two-tiered skirt.
Styling a Floral Dress
Be not afeared of styling a statement print dress. Although wearing top-to-toe print (or even top-to-knee, depending on your selection) may seem daunting, there are a few tricks to make them approachable for all.
We design each print using the season’s colour palette, so when it comes to styling, simply pick out one of the colours and use that as a jumping off point. We will often include black trims as well, so that as autumn comes around a summery print will look just as comfortable styled with black boots and a thin black polo neck layered underneath. It’s a little design trick that ensures your investment works throughout the seasons instead of having to be retired as soon as the leaves start to turn.
A leather jacket will balance out the femininity of a summer floral dress and instantly elevate casual dresses. Vice versa, a chore or denim jacket is ideal for dressing a smarter piece down for day.
Styling a Floral Dress
Be not afeared of styling a statement print dress. Although wearing top-to-toe print (or even top-to-knee, depending on your selection) may seem daunting, there are a few tricks to make them approachable for all.
We design each print using the season’s color palette, so when it comes to styling, simply pick out one of the colors and use that as a jumping off point. We will often include black trims as well, so that as fall comes around a summery print will look just as comfortable styled with black boots and a thin black polo neck layered underneath. It’s a little design trick that ensures your investment works throughout the seasons instead of having to be retired as soon as the leaves start to turn.
A leather jacket will balance out the femininity of a summer floral dress and instantly elevate casual dresses. Vice versa, a chore or denim jacket is ideal for dressing a smarter piece down for day.
FINDING THE PERFECT SHOE
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a white trainer is a style essential regardless of what you’re wearing, but with a floral dress it provides just the right finish, a sporty, nonchalant foil for something pretty.
Our lace-up and slip-on trainers are low cut at the ankle to expose more of the leg, creating a gap between the longer hemline of a floral midi or maxi dress and your trainer. This gap is key: going straight from dress to shoe without even a peep of leg will only serve to make you look shorter. To make it even easier to achieve the gap, we always cut our dresses with a dipped hem that is shorter at the front and drops lower at the back to show off more leg.
As the weather heats up, swap in a sandal or slider for day and a heel for evening. You’ll find that ankle boots, from heeled to hiking, work just as well come autumn and winter.
FINDING THE PERFECT SHOE
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a white sneaker is a style essential regardless of what you’re wearing, but with a floral dress it provides just the right finish, a sporty, nonchalant foil for something pretty.
Our lace-up and slip-on sneakers are low cut at the ankle to expose more of the leg, creating a gap between the longer hemline of a floral midi or maxi dress and your sneaker. This gap is key: going straight from dress to shoe without even a peep of leg will only serve to make you look shorter. To make it even easier to achieve the gap, we always cut our dresses with a dipped hem that is shorter at the front and drops lower at the back to show off more leg.
As the weather heats up, swap in a sandal or slider for day and a heel for evening. You’ll find that ankle boots, from heeled to hiking, work just as well come fall and winter.
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