Floral dress season has been declared open, with a bunch of celebrities – Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Pamela Anderson – being the first to show their new takes on the look.
The appeal of the floral had started to wilt in recent seasons; last year a spokesman for John Lewis attempted to kill them off. But, as the hardy perennial of fashion prints, florals are back for 2024.
So how to make an item that is everywhere feel truly fresh? There were plenty of new takes to consider in the spring catwalk collections, spanning graphic patchworks at Chanel and scaled-up single stems at Alexander McQueen. These ideas have been translated on the high street – this spring you can find original illustrated prints and quirky graphics, or opt for something beyond a print, with a 3D embellishment, or a floral brocade.
Choosing a dress that depicts a specific flower, rather than an ambiguous ditsy, can make your outfit appear more expensive – you want the look to echo a luxurious delivery from Flowerbx rather than a cheap bunch picked up at a petrol station.
Kitri designer Haeni Kim advises shoppers to look for dresses that “keep floral prints unexpected with the playful use of silhouette, colour and fabric”.
“We look a lot to vintage garments and images for floral inspiration,” she says. “It’s a great way to start as they lend a sense of timelessness to the prints.” Her upsized tulips are set to be the top pick this year. “We play with scale, proportion and colour to give it a twist,” she adds.
At Albaray, founder Karen Peaco*ck worked with the floral artist Wilder & Wren to develop an original wildflower design. “The prints are authentic and have an organic look which creates a fresh take on florals for the new season,” she notes. Silhouettes this year are generally more structured, in crisp linen and cotton-blend fabrics “to stop dresses from being too floaty”.
Whether it’s the specific print you select, or the way that you style it up, here are seven ideas to make any floral dress outfit feel new this year.
The blur
Gwyneth Paltrow’s abstract hydrangea dress is speckly, yet specific. Many of the cheaper floral dresses that flood the high street annually are printed with ditsy florals – this blur print is effective because the blooms are still distinguishable. Paltrow’s structured silhouette also holds the soft-focus print well. Paltrow is posing with author Nicole Avant, who has opted for a graphic floral maxi dress.
The shirt dress
The cut that makes any floral print look office-friendly is the shirt dress. The crisp collar and nipped waist on Natalie Portman’s recent Dior dress sharpen it up – but it still looks so pretty that she could wear it out for lunch with friends.
The prom dress
Strapless prom dresses are set for a summer revival and look particularly vintage-tinged when rendered in florals. Reese Witherspoon added a red cardigan to her look later in the day.
Say no to trainers
The floral dress and trainers combination is a tried and tested one – but an easy update anyone could make would be to swap their Sambas for Mary Janes or ballet flats this spring. Kelly Rutherford picked an Erdem midi with a monochromatic print, meaning she could wear polished black accessories.
Try blooms on blooms
Rather than layering a denim jacket over your floral dress this year, why not add another floral piece? Vogue editor Anna Wintour wore a khaki trench coat, which was embroidered with more florals on the sleeves and hemline, over another floral dress.
Graphic effects
The single-stem motif looks dramatic and feels particularly different to other prints on the high street. Serena Williams wears a knitted intarsia floral dress by Balmain, with a monochrome rose as the focal point.
The glam floral
A floral dress doesn’t have to involve a print. Pamela Anderson’s Oscar de la Renta gown features sequinned petals – on the high street Sister Jane has the best jewel encrusted and rich brocade options, allowing you to take the floral mood from day to night.
Eight of the best floral dresses to buy
Cap sleeve dress, £195, Me + Em; Pressed flower maxi dress, £110, Albaray
FAQs
Try blooms on blooms
Are florals in style in 2024? ›
2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for floral trends, with sustainability, bold colors, dried flowers, unique installations, and organic designs taking center stage.
Are ruffles in style in 2024 spring summer? ›
Since the beginning of the month, Bella Hadid has been fully embracing the ruffle trend. During her appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show, Hadid radiated elegance in a sheer dress with fringe and ruffled accents from Dior's Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
Are floral prints out of style? ›
So while they might only bloom in certain seasons, and not always in the same form, truth be told, florals are an evergreen trend that will never truly die.
Do florals age you? ›
While some may associate floral prints with an older demographic, the key is to choose the right size and color of the print, as well as the style of the garment. Pairing a floral print piece with modern and trendy accessories can also help you keep the look fresh and youthful.
What style of jeans are in fashion in 2024? ›
The Straight-Leg Jean
Far from being skinny, the high-waisted straight-leg style has started to gain steam for 2024, and in the shadow of Quiet Luxury, a premium has been placed on classic shapes, without elastic, and perhaps with a small twist.
What dresses are in fashion in summer 2024? ›
Vogue's Dress Trend Shopping List. On the runways, brands like Alaïa, Zimmermann, and Rodarte ushered in a refreshing era of romantic designs. Think baby pink gowns made of sultry sheer fabrics, floral maxis coupled with unexpected cutouts, and bias-cut dresses punctuated with playful bows.
What is the quiet luxury trend in 2024? ›
Quiet luxury as a sustainable trend
For style consultant Andreas Rose, 'Quiet Luxury' is characterised by monochrome looks and colour tones "alternating between white and black". Creamy white or beige are in demand. 'Peach Fuzz', named the colour of the year 2024 by Pantone, should also go down well.
Are floral skirts in style in 2024? ›
2024 is bringing it back to the dantier side by incorporating small floral prints on every garment imaginable – dresses, skirts and even shoes.
Are florals back in? ›
Did it Ever Leave? In fashion and interior design, floral motifs are blossoming in a big way. By Marla Mullen Sanford· 5/16/2024, 9:50 a.m.
Simply put, anything goes. The reason this print is such a classic is because of its ability to work with so many different looks. The best designs to mix with floral patterns are more graphic forms to contrast against the flowing motifs – stripes, checks or geometrics with clean lines will create impact (and balance).
What should an older flower girl wear? ›
Floor-length dresses work the best with older flower girls since you can teach them to be aware of the skirt and how to hold it to avoid hazards.
What prints make you look older? ›
Avoid large, outdated multicolor floral prints that can make you look older. What to wear: Opt for smaller, more modern two color floral or geometric patterns and experiment with other prints like stripes or polka dots.
Are florals frumpy? ›
Some florals are more stylized, therefore dramatic and sophisticated; while some are more natural looking, which tends to be more feminine and youthful. I think a more stylized print, like this one, is more sophisticated and easier to pull off when you're a more mature age.
What is the color forecast for 2024 fashion? ›
What is the Trend Color of the Year 2024? The trend color in 2024, according to the Pantone Color Institute, is a delicate peach tone - Peach Fuzz, listed under the number 13-1023. This color is a blend of a delicate orange and a gentle pink. The successful tone conveys warmth and modern elegance.
What is the pastel trend in 2024? ›
Pastel Lilac
Pastels were key to the spring 2024 collections, but the standout shade among them was luscious lilac. There were violet knitted sweaters and trench coats at Michael Kors Collection, while Masha Popova introduced pale purple denim separates adorned with her distinctive tyre mark prints.
What is the best wedding bouquet for 2024? ›
Flowers like peonies, roses, dahlia, and carnations are perennial favourites for wedding bouquets and floral arrangements in 2024. However, many of the wedding flower trends in 2024 speak to more playful and otherworldly-looking blooms, such as leathery anthuriums or chrysanthemums.
Are polka dots in style in 2024? ›
Polka dots were all over the spring 2024 runways, adorning everything from minidresses to shoes to tights.
