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Blooming

By: Jen Shoop

Blooming.  What a heinous word for such a lovely evenement.  It sounds like the word gets stuck in your throat around the “m.”  This gratuitous semantic commentary is beside the main point of this post, however, which is: my recent discovery of the lovely trend of BIG BLOOMS.  Floral prints have been all up in the hizzle this season, and I’m all about them.

{Top L-R: Prabal Gurung, J. Crew, Oscar de la Renta; Bottom L-R: Alexander Wang and Peter Som}

{on Krystal of This Time Tomorrow}

{on Blair of Atlantic-Pacific}

Are you up for this bold challenge?  Test the waters with a ladylike shape, like this Milly sheath dress (on sale for $174, MyWardrobe).

 

I’d pair with these Charlotte Olympia ankle-breakers (O.M.G. — around $785, Charlotte Olympia) and these cascading flower earrings ($23, Miss Selfridge’s):

 

I’d finish with this eye-catching raffia clutch ($550, YSL), a red mani (Essie’s “Who’s She Red” — $8, Zappos), and some huge shades (Balenciaga is where it’s at — $345, Nordstrom).  P.S. want the clutch look for less?  Check out this $55 find from IM-HM Resort.  I love all of the bags in their e-boutique — check out this bomb suitcase!

 

 

Or, consider this Juicy Couture poppy print dress ($248, Bloomingdale’s) with a blue-gemmed necklace (around $1,100, Very Eickhoff):

 

I like the idea of finishing the look with unexpected navy booties for a fierce, Rachel Bilson-esque look (she would probably go all out with these velveteen navy tootsies from Giuseppe Zanotti, on sale for $446, though you can get the look for much, much less with these inexpensive Michael Antonio booties, available for $50!).  However, I would probably end up wearing a classic pump or sandal.  These navy Miu Mius caught my eye ($695, Net-A-Porter):

I would finish the look with a bold fuchsia clutch/wallet (Michael Kors, $450, Neiman’s):

{Or, get the look for less with one of these monogrammable BLVD VIP wallets for only $107.}  While we’re on the subject of hot pink, I’ve just been dying to feature this phenomenal little frock from Miu Miu ($1,650, Miu Miu).  O.M.G.  Most perfect party dress ever.  I’d pair it with this big bloom necklace ($158, J. Crew) — I own this puppy, and get compliments on it daily.  I like to pair it with staid work outfits to add a little mid-week pizzazz to my life.  Looks fab against a simple black turtleneck-and-pencil skirt combo.

I’d finish with these glittery heels (Sergio Rossi, $715, Intermix)

I’d enhance the high-wattage with this multi-colored sparkle clutchski (Anya Hindmarch, $550, Net-A-Porter):

Or, snap up these darling glittery flower studs ($38, 1928) in the perfect palette of pinks and purples:

 

and pull a Rachel Zoe by pairing with a breezy caftan-style dress in a bold floral print dress (Halston Heritage, on sale for $430, MyWardrobe) —

— and some fierce shoes (Zanotti, $750, Net-A-Porter):

She would finish with something architectural/deco, like this boxy clutch (DVF, $380, Matches):

For work, trade out your standard-issue black pencil skirt for a lovely big-blossom printed variation (on sale for $46, L.K. Bennett).  I’d pair mine with a collarless blouse to give it an updated edge (Rachel Zoe, $225, Cusp) and a funky, tribal-inspired necklace ($235, Pound Jewelry):

I’d finish with a simple pointy-toed black pump (Kate Spade, $298, Piperlime).  The pointy-toe is slowly coming back into vogue after a hiatus featuring lots of platforms and round toes.  I’m on board.  I’d finish with this quilted crossbody iPad case ($495, Bergdorf’s):

 

Meanwhile, stow your personals in this pretty little floral-print pouch ($68, Virginia Johnson):

Or, test the inverse: a floral print blouse (Equipment, on sale for $97, TheOutnet) with a black skirt and a mixed pearl-and-chain necklace ($79, Juliet & Company).  I’ve been interested in skirts with a little volume lately, like this Juicy Couture style ($205, Jades24):

 

I’d finish with black tights (I still swear by Spanx) and black pumps ($124, TopShop):

 

 

I’d finish with pearl drop earrings ($55, Loren Hope) and a gold watch ($105, Macy’s):

Or, how about this long-sleeved wonder from Tibi (on sale for $144, TheOutnet) with a tribal-inspired collar necklace ($26, Fashion Conscience), black tights, and booties (still dying over these Zanottis — $795, Barney’s):

 

 

 

I’d spruce the look up with an unexpected pink bag (Reece Hudson, $1,050, Kirna Zabete):

For a bold look in the pastel family {very hot this spring}, check out this floral-print top (Moschino, $410, Harvey Nichols) with some pastel pink skinnies from J. Brand (my favorite cut and style, and now on SALE! — $123, Shopbop):

In the spring, I’d finish with neutral gladiators.  In these transitional months, you could get away with the above look, a soft cashmere duster sweater ($398, Seaton Surf), and some nude flats (Tory Burch, $178, Bergdorf’s):

 

I’d finish my obsession du jour: the Alexander Wang prisma in toffee ($685, Alexander Wang):

Yummy.  Finally, a few bits and bobs to get the look in small doses: first, these poppy print YSL wages are…phenom ($795, Ssense):

And how darling are these rose thank you notes (Kate Spade, $20, Crane’s)?!  LOVE the attention to detail in all of their paper goods — check out that contrast lining!

I’m into it.  Are you ready to make the statement this season?

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0 thoughts on “Blooming

  1. Hi there,
    I LOVE your blog! Thank you for researching some great things out there and for also putting cheaper versions that have the same great style as the expensive designer brands….for example, the floral pencil skirt on sale for 46.00. Thanks for linking to where to get the items you feature. Love your blog….keep the postings coming! xoxo Kim

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