Page 124 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2024

SHOPPING
FOCUS ON FASHION Floral Prints Come Marching I
story by Barbara Travis
A quick look at spring fashion shows a variety of pastel shades, floral prints, oversized blazers, and wide-leg trousers, but the florals are key.
Florals are traditional and expected as the weather warms, but this year they claim the spotlight for the Spring 2024 season. Designers have taken the usual garden prints and given them an unexpected, creative modern twist.
Florals never go out of style; they simply re-invent themselves in newer, fresher formats. Be on the lookout for three-dimensional floral embellishments on all kinds of clothing from dresses to skirts to accessory items.
Everything’s Coming Up Roses
The most popular flower in the current fashion scene is the rose, a bloom commonly associated with romance. According to mythology, Aphrodite, the Greek
goddess of love, pricked herself on a white rose bush while rescuing Adonis, her lover. Her blood dropped on the white petals and stained them red forever linking
red roses with passion.
One designer explained the current rose motif trend like this: “Roses represent
beauty and romance. Love is what we’re all looking for, in everything we do.” Rosettes as a fashion embellishment also represent femininity and girlhood. Whatever the color, roses and rosebuds have always been symbols of beauty and elegance.
Styling Floral Prints
When styling floral tops and bottoms, pair vibrant print tops with neutral solid- color skirt or jeans. Balance is the key. Always balance busy or bold with simple for the most pleasing contrast and harmony. Using solid neutral colors to support prints rather than upstage them allows the print to take center stage. Another tip is to balance the size of the flowers in the print with your own shape and size. Large prints are best worn in small doses. Small floral prints lend themselves well to beautiful blouses, flowing maxi skirts and romantic dresses.
Garden-Inspired Charm
Garments fashioned from garden and floral prints are reminders and colorful reflections of nature’s beauty. Perhaps that’s why those of us who are nature lovers embrace their enduring charm year after year and season after season. Their popularity and staying power make them quintessential, timeless fashion
favorites and wardrobe staples.
Floral patterns present a wonderful opportunity to showcase
personal style and fashion creativity. Now may be a really good time to embrace the new floral prints and flower-themed accessories that can make your closet bloom.
124 | March 2024