Blooming

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?