June 12, 2019
A language digression: to me, something that is floral is MADE of flowers – a floral arrangement, a floral offering etc. Something printed with flowers is “flowered.”
But NOT when you’re searching through the world of garments and accessories…. If you want something with flowers, search for “floral.”
I must be confused…
The first (and so far one of the only) really lovely early summer days here in Chicago brought out the floral skirts in abundance; I got so many ideas! So I picked a bright, unusual example:
skirt – Modcloth
I’ve been assured that the dark color here is navy; if it’s black, nothing really changes here except navy garments and accessories could be swapped for black. I get really irked by the poor information available about what colors are named, and the lack of good color information on web sites.
skirt – Modcloth
This first outfit is relatively predictable, except that some of us still don’t think to wear a denim jacket with a skirt. Given that we wear so few skirts, and wear them so seldom, maybe it’s time to “de-dressy” them?
denim jacket – Lands’ End; earrings – Fermin; navy tee – Lands’ End; sandals – Franco Sarto; skirt – Modcloth
A neutral tee shirt and metallic accessories really let the print of the skirt stand out:
tee – Camilla and Marc; tote – GiGi New York; skirt – Modcloth; sandals – Birkenstock
The sweater is tossed over the shoulders…. The earrings are amazing!
earrings – Jennifer Behr; cardigan – Stefanel; blouse – Anne Klein; skirt – Modcloth; sandals – Nine West
A more modest, or dressy, or slightly cooler weather, way to wear:
blouse – &.Layered; sunglasses – Calvin Klein; skirt – Modcloth; ballet flats – Lucky Brand
When the weather cools, you do NOT have to put this skirt away!
sweater – Caslon; scarf – Rag & Bone; skirt – Modcloth; boots – Very Volatile
In the dark days of autumn and winter, this skirt could be a breath of fresh air!
turtleneck – Dsquared2; scarf – WtR; skirt – Modcloth; boots – L’Amour des Pieds
Even a bright print can fit into an office wardrobe:
cardigan – Banana Republic; brooch – Oscar de la Renta; blouse – WtR; skirt – Modcloth; pumps – Via Spiga
I love the relaxed feeling here; it’s not something everyone will find comfortable, but it’s worth remembering!
sweatshirt – Lands’ End; backpack – Rebecca Minkoff; skirt – Modcloth; sneakers – Keds
Pattern mixing is another idea that’s not for everyone, but if you have a wardrobe of items in a carefully planned color palette, this might be hanging right in front of you in your closet!
tee shirt – Ganni; headband – Lele Sadoughi; skirt – Modcloth; espadrilles – Toms
Last-minute invitation to a wedding or other dressy event? This could be just right!
blouse – Tailored by Rebecca Taylor; earrings – Alice Cicolini; skirt – Modcloth; slingbacks – Tabitha Simmons
I don’t own anything floral, but I’m always open to the idea!
Do you wear floral prints?
love,
Janice
p.s. Literally 5 years ago today, I wrote about whether or not EVERYBODY could wear floral prints! Seems like florals are on my mind in the month of June!
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I don’t like that skirt, but I think this is the first color scheme / wardrobe you’ve created that I could just pick up and use for myself. Could you do a full capsule using these colors, please?
Wouldn’t wear this myself, but the color scheme is captivating. I can at least hope to walk by someone who wears something like this, can’t I?
For me, flowers are restricted to summer (maxi) dresses. Mostly I prefer solid colored clothes anyway. On the other hand, maxi dress is my go-to piece in summer, and I wear one every other day or, weather permitting, even more often. Our summers are too brief, but I suppose I manage to get a whole years’ worth of fun patterns and colors during them. ^^
I’ve got a green flowered skirt in my wardrobe that I’ve only ever worm with a top that was sold with it. This has given me plenty of ideas, thanks.
I would love to wear orange, but it gives me a florid complexion so I avoid it like the plague. I don’t particularly like overly pleated skirts and the floral print is too ‘busy’ for my taste. However, lots of styling inspiration as usual.
I love the skirt….love the colors especially the orange but would wear it all…and Stefanel! A favorite brand. I have bought in their stores in Florence and Vienna. A perf3ct fit for me. I’m getting this. Thank you!
I think this a beautiful skirt! It would be easy to pick colors that “go” – and keep the flattering ones near the face! Great styling suggestions!
I especially like dressing it up for a wedding – I still do not have a dressy capsule sorted for myself and it’s a panic attack waiting to happen when I need one on the fly.
(FYI I for one do appreciate precision in language….”word nerd” here!!)
A floral-print dress and a solid cardigan is one of my go-to outfits.
Given that you’ve probably captured the ONLY nice day we’ll have this summer, I’m loving the sweatshirt, tennis shoes, skirt combo!
I agree with you about color confusion – I often have a hard time telling black and dark navy apart from photos only, especially on computer screens which seem to affect color as well. I also tend to see blue where most people see grey, for some reason, so I see the grey in that skirt as more of a periwinkle blue color. That said, I do like the very summery floral print and color palette of this skirt. I own a few floral print tops and a couple of floral print dresses, so I am not averse to the look. I rarely wear skirts, and pleats are not a good look on me, but if this design was available as a pencil skirt I would definitely consider it, and would play up the orange hues as orange is one of my favorite colors.
I love these posts about different ways to wear a single article of clothing, as I am definitely one of those people who tends to get in a rut and wear the same combinations over and over rather than trying out new ways to style apparel. Thanks, Janice!
Since I have become a little older..and my waist is not as defined, I have a lot of trouble finding tops. Tucked in does not look good, neither does just hanging loose…suggestions? BTW I love the skirt and if I were 18 again..it would be perfect!
I have the same issue. I try to find longer tops and then belt the top where my waist used to be. Works most of the time.
What a great variety of ways to wear this very on trend longer skirt. The metallic accessories group and the sweatshirt, sneakers and bright backpack really speak to me. I love bright colours and prints but toning it down a bit with the grey and metallics seems to do the trick. Lovely.
I really enjoyed this post. I’d love to see more like it with different print skirts. I think you can just as easily base a wardrobe on a print skirt as you can a scarf. I’ve always enjoyed having floral and other print skirts in my wardrobe, can we say paisley? I usually balance them with solid tops, but i also enjoy print mixing, especially stripes or dots mixed with florals. I think you are right that not many wear a lot of skirts, especially in casual outfits. I much prefer them to pants.
I like this particular skirt and group of garments too. I think you could add a couple of navy and grey bottoms and have a nice start to a wardrobe.
Yes! I am all about floral-print and other patterned skirts, and pleated is my favorite skirt style (usually stitched-down pleats). Combined with a shell and a cardigan/jacket, it is my go-to look for church or whenever I make myself get out of jeans! I will always reach for a skirt before a dress. – nancyo
I second all of this. Pants are so difficult to fit that I’m slowly but surely replacing them with mostly maxi skirts whenever I can. The right skirt can take me through all 4 seasons by adding leggings and boots in the cooler months.
I love this skirt! For some reason it just sings to me. I’m never this impulsive but it’s being ordered today. Hopefully those colors are navy and grey because those are my two favorite neutrals. Thank you Janice, this post just brightened up my whole day.
Janice,
While I think this print is both fun and versatile, as you have shown, I could only wear it with the bright orange cardigan or a dark one, as I am bottom heavy and this would really draw the eye right there ! I could get away with something far more muted in chroma , and much less intense, I think .
I must admit that I really dont get why is any bottom considered dressy just if it is a skirt? It doesnt matter. And also it apears as if there is something wrong with wearing something dressy that almost require appology. I don,t manage to be dressy yet but I aspire to it and I enjoy seing elegant dressed woman my age.
I like the skirt, but I think such skirts can only be worn well by people with very slim hips. I was recently in Japan, and they were very popular there, worn in all sorts of ways. Japanese women, of course, all being very slim!
My mother used to use “flowery”, being from Yorkshire. Flowery skirt, flowery wallpaper, so there’s another to try when searching.
I love the look of a flowery skirt, or trousers, with a stripey top, but somehow, not on me. In fact, I love all the looks today, second time this week! I have bought some skirts, but don’t often wear them. I do love to wear jersey dresses, though. They never crease and look nicely casual. Linda M
I have a very, very similar skirt. It has a cream backdrop so I have never worn it with a white blouse. I have both in my emergency capsule so will have to try it next time an outfit emergency strikes!
“Flowery” seems to have a somewhat negative connotation, like TOO MUCH flower/color (ex: “she wore a flowery dress and a ridiculous hat”).
I’m not good at patterns in general and flowers in particular, and I don’t really know why as this skirt is lovely. That said, I actually prefer skirts casual and will rarely wear them any other way. Today (which is very hot outside and AC in the office) I have a teal cotton skirt, black t-shirt, flat sandals, and a zip-up hoodie. If it’s more formal, I like slacks and blouses or maybe a dress.
I try and stay away from floral designs. At my age you have to be careful they don’t age you. On the other hand I do like them and occasionally they make it to my wardrobe. I love all the possibilities you gave. Especially the silver stuff with the skirt is unexpected. However, I am notoriously bad in knowing how garments will look on me and how they would work together on my body. Still, I will experiment a little with your ideas.
Still love you for liking my blog.
Greetje
Ah Greetje, I love your style! I’m always happy when I see what you’re up to….
hugs,
Janice
This is a great example of how versatile a print skirt is, whether it’s flowers, geometric, etc. Multiple colors makes getting dressed quickly and packing coordinating outfits much easier. ?
Apparently Floral can be used as an adjective – made from flowers, or as a noun – a floral design. My English teacher parents would be proud that I could tell you this but disappointed that I had to check a dictionary in order to do so ;)
Florals are my favorite pattern for clothing! This skirt and color scheme are very cute. I do wonder about the “best” length for this style of skirt. I thought it looked kind of dowdy in the photos on the Nordstrom site. At any rate, I like how you styled it here.
I love the graphic flowers on this skirt and the fresh colour combinations you created. Knife pleats like this can be tricky for anyone with curves—although it depends on the fabric too. I love that you showed the skirt dressed up and dressed down. Considering both directions makes a skirt extra versatile, especially for travel. Thanks!
‘ I get really irked by the poor information available about what colors are named, and the lack of good color information on web sites.’ Yes, I agree. I still stalk various sites looking for scarves, and I’m amazed how many do NOT show the whole scarf laid out flat. Just a rolled up view either around a model’s neck or pictured as if it were worn. How can anyone decide whether or not the scarf will suit them based on that?
I really like skirts (and the price point of this one!!) and particularly appreciate this post that shows the versatility of a well-chosen piece.
It seems like any woman who values comfort would enjoy the right skirt as much as athleisure wear. In the summer months I find that maxi skirts with a vent are far and away more comfortable and cool than jeans. The biggest problem is finding casual skirts at all. Thank goodness for thrift stores!
I love when you take one piece and show it 10 ways. I’ve been practicing that for years and love your inspiration. I fearlessly mix prints stripes polka dots florals etc. Since the 30-40 year olds compliment me I figure i’m good! I make sure the colors and scale work. Be fearless ladies!
Since I live in a warm climate I definitely wear skirts and dresses all year. Tights, leggings, boots, and sweaters can really change the look and extend the wear ability. Thanks for another fabulous post. We are off to South Africa in August. Safari and wine country! Anyone with clothing recommendations?
Oh, the variety here! Just loved it…First time commenting after enjoying the lift of your posts for a few years–This one brought me out!
By the time we hit the grey turtleneck and orange scarf, I was really singing!
Love these ‘10 Ways to Wear Something’ posts! I liked the way you styled it for all seasons. Two more ways to wear it could be with a pretty crocheted tee or a white or colored tee that ties at the bottom or side.
I really enjoy these posts where one article of clothing is styled many ways. It opens up so many possibilities making the item an “investment” piece. I particularly liked the one with the metallic accessories. Could you possibly do this type of post with a skirt in an abstract print? Many thanks.
My most frequently worn clothes are colorful florals. I constantly base my purchases around floral pieces so this post was perfect for me. I avoid pleats, so this skirt would not work for me but I was excited to see all the possibilities that I can adapt to my own wardrobe. Thanks so much for the ideas.
So many varied and versatile ideas! Thanks.
I’m older, but when I was young this was a very common method to build a wardrobe. Start with a print you love and chose your solids from that. It was usually a blouse or skirt. It’s even better if you can get a blouse and skirt in the same pattern. It looks like a dress when worn together, then you can use the pieces separately with your solids.
Not that different from your “start with a scarf”.
I especially love that your ideas span the seasons.
Great Post! Exciting combinations like the colorful tops or grey neutrals that feel daring combined with the print skirt. Right now I have two pastel maxi tank dresses in my summer capsule. I always layer these treating them like maxi skirts with one of two floral vests or three tonal tees that all mix together. These combos take me into the peak of summer feeling feminine, cool and as comfortable as wearing pajamas.