florals? for spring? groundbreaking.

floral blouse, cropped denim, Gucci Marmont loafers

Remember the movie “The Devil Wears Prada?” I mostly enjoyed it (and had previously read the book), but thought they missed the point. My take? If you’re going to work in a highly coveted position in a highly competitive industry, you’d darn well better be passionate about it. Don’t look down on the people who are. The other thing that really bugged me was how sh*tty the main character’s friends were to her; they loved getting freebies but then dissed the job and her commitment to it. And then there was the far-too-prevalent meme, “women who are ambitious must pay a heavy price in their personal lives.” Harrumph. But Meryl Streep was brilliant of course as Miranda Priestly and I loved some of her lines, including…

Devil Wears Prada Miranda Priestly

I don’t often wear florals. I find very few that don’t skew twee on me, despite my attraction to them in general. A dark background helps, as does a more bold and graphic floral print like the one on this silk blouse. I’ve found that printed blouses can be an easy outfit-maker during warmer months, and add some interest under a jacket or cardigan on cooler days.

blouse | watch | bracelet | bracelet (similar look) | jeans (similar) | bag (similar) | shoes

This outfit has a slight 70’s vibe, but doesn’t feel literal enough to be costume-y.

Chloe saddle bag

Nail color is Dior “Nuit.”  Lipstick: Makeover Workshop in “rue Rivoli.”

Speaking of 70’s, is anyone else watching “Vinyl” on HBO? It was such an interesting decade for music, and the music industry.

What’s your take on florals? For spring or otherwise… 😉

Linked up: #iwillwearwhatilike

More like these:

Affiliate links in this post may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See complete disclosure policy here.

Stay in touch

Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.

Affiliate links in posts may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See my complete disclosure policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

24 Comments

  1. I’m not good with prints generally although they are gorgeous in silk . My mother had a good eye for them and managed not to be overwhelmed at 5′ . On me at 3″ taller I feel as if I’m disappearing into the background if its floral and any print seems to break up lines too much . Your shirt doesn’t do that – how DO you manage at 5′ 1″ ?

  2. That shirt gives a playful quality to your overall look– cute! I agree with rukshanaafia that florals on me are sometimes questionable. The colors and scale have to be just right. Some fashion maven said that if you are petite, just make sure that the repeating print is no bigger than your closed fist, and then the scale won’t overwhelm you…

    Prints can’t be too hard edged on me- the more watercolor-y the better, for some reason.

  3. I’m not a floral person. I like my flowers in a vase–not on my person. I think it just comes down to what makes you comfortable. Plaids and stripes–I love. Prints and flowers–meh. They always look great on others but not me. A few years back I had a strapless Lilly Pulitzer large floral print dress. It looked lovely but I was never quite comfortable in it so I gave it away. Lesson learned!

    Oh..don’t get me started on Vinyl! I love Bobby Cannavale and the rest of the cast, but being young and in NYC when this series takes place, it falls short. I’m obsessed with watching it though–but it still falls short! I actually wrote about it: http://atypical60.com/2016/02/23/hbos-vinyl-its-kind-of-plasticky/

    I look forward to next week’s episode!

  4. Hmmm – I love your commitment to experimenting and pushing your comfort boundaries, and I just don’t love the clothing (you, on the other hand, look beautiful as always). I’m not sure if it’s the floral, or the boxiness of the shirt. Anyway, the important thing is you feel comfortable and stylish.

  5. I love florals. I’m particularly drawn to small florals like Liberty of London prints. Sadly, i love them on other women–specifically young women in their 20s/early 30s–not me. On me, I think these lovely florals make me look like an old lady. (I have the same feeling about lilac. It’s a colour I like but I’m waiting until I’m much older to wear.) That said, when I looked at your photo I thought, “That floral pattern works.” I think it’s the dark colour and the bigger floral print. It’s hard to hit the sweet spot on florals (too big and it looks blowsy) but you’ve managed to do it!

  6. I’m not much of a floral person either. And definitely floral and flow-y “skews twee” to me (love that phrase Sue…wish I had written that!) But I will do a structured floral, like the lovely, Liberty poppy-print button down shirt I have. And once many years ago I had a royal blue shirt dress with orange and yellow pineapples on it. Sound ghastly but it always made me smile. Especially when a colleague and old friend would do his Carmen Miranda imitation every time I wore it.
    Loving your cropped flares.
    P.S. Loved Devil Wears Prada …but not for the reasons which you rightly point out. I sometimes do a double feature with DWP and The September Issue when Hubby goes away on his fishing weekends. Girly weekend…just me and the cat.

  7. I like a floral or print on a dark background. And, they must be of substance. I’m tall, so little flowers or designs would look girlish. I don’t wear them often but they do appeal when spring is in the air. I guess they feel “fresh”.

  8. This looks great! I love the contrast with the spike bracelet. Honestly, I can’t do floral. I dabbled with them a bit on sundresses in my youth, but feel matronly in them now. I can appreciate them on others. Just not me.

  9. I didn’t realize it until I read your post, but I don’t have any florals in my wardrobe! I love patterns, including florals, but apparently I love them on other people better than on myself! I’m working to change that this year, though.

    As for Devil Wears Prada, thank you for articulating all the things that made me squirm when I watched that movie. I do enjoy the movie, Meryl Streep especially, but what you said about the young woman’s friends showing support then lack of support and how she was put in the hard position of choosing between her relationship and her career — spot on!

  10. Great analysis of what has bugged me about The Devil Wears Prada, thank you! I adore dark florals and wear them often, but no pastels or primary colors for moi. This silk blouse is a beauty.

    I am enjoying Vinyl – Bobby Cannavale is hypnotic – despite its plot flaws. That music! xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  11. I am tall and full-busted, so no florals in my wardrobe. You do look adorable Susan, but I vote for solids as well with a floral scarf.

  12. I like florals, or maybe more correctly, don’t dislike them….I have a few, but am more likely to wear stripes, checks, or dots. Like your floral top, but feel I will never like those cropped flares and blocky heels! Just not my thing. For pants, I like skinnies, or maybe the wide legged, long pants (with heels).

  13. Thanks everyone for your feedback. I suspected this outfit would get mixed reactions, and may continue to tweak a bit.

  14. I’m way too tall for florals. I don’t like myself, style-wise, in anything ‘busy’. The only flowers I have in my life are the real ones.
    Think I would really like it on you with narrow black pants and flats.

  15. Floral scarves are OK, but floral tops mostly look like something a little old lady would wear with her polyester pants.

  16. I know exactly what you mean about some florals being too twee, but I really liked your Ann Taylor choice. My local store didn’t stock it so I ordered it online. It has a nice drape and the rayon is substantial–a great addition to my wardrobe. I’m so glad you featured it!