Florals are a recurring summer trend. It seems that every season designers turn to an English country garden, horticultural drawings or tropical blooms and bring out a collection blossoming with flora and fauna. But this season the floral trend is stronger than ever. The Erdem, Jil Sander, D&G and Chanel collections were in full bloom with their flower-adorned designs (we’re particular fans of Sander’s pop art prints). But floral accessories also came to the forefront of many collections, with a flower power attitude to accessorizing not seen since the summer of love. Marc Jacobs and Halston decorated their seventies, disco-inspired designs with a garden of silk flowers blossoming from the model’s hair.
The English have a history of creating beautiful clothes inspired by their own garden – from iconic Liberty prints, to whimsical sixties designs by Celia Birtwell, and the popularity of Laura Ashley’s twee floral dresses and skirts in the 1970s. Now floral dresses, plimsolls and even trousers and jumpsuits can be seen on every cool girl in London, and the trend is (if you’ll excuse the pun) only growing.
With Chelsea Flower show fast approaching, there’s no better time to be inspired by a garden in bloom. But even if you’re a shrinking violet, there’s no reason why the floral trend won’t work for you. Accessories with a floral influence can add a subtle spring in your style – like the Blossom collection by Alexandra Simpson, Hailing from Richmond (by London’s glorious Kew Gardens, and the idyllic Richmond park), it’s no wonder this designer takes flowers as an inspiration – although the ones she has chosen for her latest collection (Japanese blossoms) are decidedly more exotic.
Another Japanese inspired piece is this clutch by Uroco, made from a vintage printed kimono. Chinoiserie and oriental style was another key look on the SS11 catwalks, meaning this elegant clutch combines two trends in one.
If you’re no wallflower, we suggest this statement necklace by Krista R, a unique take on the floral trend. Blooming with crystals, vintage found objects and embroidered fabric, it will look chic teamed with a plain white t-shirt, and long colourful skirt a la Jil Sander.
If the weather’s not as summery as you hoped, then you can still work the floral trend. This wool scarf is inspired by a wild Scottish garden, printed with insects, birds and wreaths of Ivy. Perfect for wrapping around your neck on chilly evenings.
