How to Choose the Right Floral Pattern

Many of my personal styling clients have told me that they are scared of prints, so most of their closets are made up of solid colors (predominantly black, gray and white) with a sprinkle of polka dots and stripes. But did you know most people respond favorably to bright, cheerful colors and prints when they meet someone for the first time? I think our fear of judgement makes us choose the "safe and easy" route of solid colors. However, color blocking your body with a solid color top, bottom (usually denim) and shoes actually draws more attention to areas women feel self-conscious of such as their chest, waist and thighs.

But I also know that shopping for a print can be quite difficult, especially in the spring when the floral patterns are plentiful and you don't know which one to choose. Instead, we end up with several options in our dressing room and feeling frustrated because they all seem to look as if they are wearing us and not the other way around.

1. Eliminate your choices by sticking to colors you like on yourself. If you're not sure what you think looks best on you, ask your spouse, best friend or mom. With my olive complexion, I have found that purples, corals and teals look great. This royal blue floral dress is one of my favorites. The purple tones are very complimentary.

2. After you have found some clothes in the color palette you prefer; you can further narrow your options based on the shape and construction. For me, halter tops are very flattering because I have a fuller chest. I'm also very tall so maxi dresses are easy for me to wear without appearing pregnant.

3. Now it's time to choose your print...If you have a fuller figure and you are nervous about feeling like a walking floral bouquet, don't! Prints often disguise a lot of extra curves, but stick to smaller prints like the one I'm wearing.

Photos by Kym Ventola; dress from Macy's

Floral Blazers

Not too long ago, I blogged about how floral prints on pants were becoming a hot fashion trend. Well, the same goes for floral blazers. The two items (pants and blazers) that usually remain basic solids are being transformed into outfit focal points. Now, silk tanks and tops are taking a back seat. The only thing is that blazers are often very expensive, so why would you spend your hard earned cash on a floral tailored fit when it's bound to go out of style soon? Well, you may not have to worry about losing too much of your money to cash in on this trend. ZARA and ASOS have it covered. For under $100.00 you can have a blazer of your own.

Okay, so how do you wear this bold statement? Keep the rest simple and classic. The images in this blog post are perfect examples.

What do you think? Is this a trend you want to invest in? Do you prefer floral pants to blazers?

Images: Starbucks & Chanel Bags, Tomboy Style, Wren, unknown, ASOS

Color Blocking

Color blocking has made a huge comeback, and you're going to see mannequins dressed in bright color combos throughout your mall if you haven't already. Open up your latest J.Crew or Urban Outfitters catalog, and you'll find it!

Unfamiliar with the term? Basically, it's sectioning off your body with different colors.

You'll see red matched with yellow, lime green paired with royal blue and coral with magenta...the list of unusual fashion color combinations goes on.

With unusual color combinations on the rise, you'll also notice floral prints and plaids falling by the wayside. It's all about solid colors and with the occasional gingham and striped print thrown in.

I'm pretty excited about this because I tend to stick to solid colors anyway. So, all in all color blocking is great in my book! What about you? Are you glad this early 90's trend is back?