In the words of fictional fashionista Miranda Priestly, “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”

Break the trend and take florals to the next level in unexpected ways. And guys, don’t be afraid to get in on the floral trend, too. As fashion becomes more gender-fluid, guys and girls can rock the same styles without judgement. Take full advantage of floral this spring and summer and let the compliments pour in.

Casual

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Light up the gym’s drab grays, blacks and blues with a funky flower print. For floral print bottoms, stick to smaller prints. These pair best with a neutral tone sports bra or crop top that won’t take away attention from your leggings. Keep your sneakers black, gray or pink to match the flowers. Pack a lightweight jacket like this silk floral print bomber in a contrasting color scheme just in case it gets chilly. The pastel blue adds vibrant interest to your look whether slung over your shoulders or tied around your waist.

Guys, keep it easy with a floral print graphic tee in a light wash for everyday wear. Stick with a medium or large print for casual wear. Pair this top with medium wash jeans and neutral sneakers with a pop of color, like blue or green to complement the earthy tones of the tee.

Formal

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Springtime is all about delicate, dainty colors and hyper-femme silhouettes. For a breezy, girly comfort, go for a skater dress with a high-cut waist. To make it formal, large print floral works best. The black-and-pink combination transitions well from day to night.

Shoes also set the vibe for your outfit. For night, opt for nude strappy heels that highlight your lovely legs. For day, a pair of pointy toe flats keep your silhouette looking long and tall. To complete the look, slick on a shimmery hot pink lipstick or a lavender-tinged matte. Keep your accessories simple with a dainty clutch or a minimalist cross-body bag in a neutral tone.

Business

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Who says business casual can’t be fun? A pastel bodycon midi skirt is a total conversation starter that conservatively shows off your feminine silhouette. The best thing about floral is that the colors are easily matchable.You can pair this kind of skirt with a range of blues, pinks, oranges or neutrals.

Go for a top with a similar texture, such as this silk V-neck blouse. If bare arms are a little too daring, throw on a blazer that hits right at the hip. Simple black flats or ankle strap heels keep the look professional and can transition with the weather. Small to medium-size prints work for fairly conservative office-ready attire.

Party

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Guys, rock this floral cap with confidence. It’ll get everyone talking at your next rager, and girls love guys that rock feminine looks totally unbothered. Keep the rest of your look simple with a plain, white T-shirt and jeans. Go for neutral sneakers, but if you dare, try a pop of color like green to play up your floral accessory.

For chillier nights, toss on a flannel shirt, or tie it around your waist when things start heating up. The next time you’re feeling extra confident, try a floral tee to match.

Class

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Floral button-ups are your best bet for those throw-it-on-and-go kind of days. Toss it over a white tee and jeans for an easy, breezy look that works with the summer weather.

For extra style points, coordinate your backpack with the rest of your look. You can’t go wrong with an earthy tone, like a grass green Fjallraven backpack. Or if you’re feeling daring, sport a smaller print floral backpack in a light wash. For a classroom environment, stick to a small print that’s not too loud.

Published on April 18, 2016 at 9:15 pm

Contact Taylyn: twashi01@syr.edu