Flower Power!

Summer 2008 certainly seems to be catering for every fashion style no matter what your taste. Be it American retro or safari chic, there really is something which allows everyone to shine in the summer sun. For the more girly girls out there the trend has gone all botanical inspired with many floral prints on clothing, accessories and shoes.

Retro floral dresses are currently very popular among celebrities such as Kate Moss, Nicole Ritchie and Rachel Bilson and can be found in many high street stores such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Wearhouse and River Island. The style is heavily influenced by the 40, 50s and 70s style tea-dresses. Feminine blouses teamed with flared jeans are also a chic alternative if you are not a fan of dresses. Similarly if you want to wear florals but you wish to incorporate a tougher edge, this season the flower prints have emerged bigger, brighter and bolder than ever with a slightly more abstract element. The key to adapting the look to suit you is how you accessorise and team pieces together. A soft feminine floral dress looks great with metallic footwear, and avoids that ‘Little House on the Prairie’ look. To go even further, the dress can be vamped up with a pair of strapped Gladiator sandals, or even heavy boots to create an extreme bold contrast.

It is also essential to consider your body shape when working this trend. To flatter your figure to its full potential with floras, if you are of a curvier build, match a printed skirt with a block colour top (or vica versa) to draw attention to your best area. If you have a slim frame, try a more eclectic look and team a printed t-shirt with a floral skit to create a stylish clash.

A great alternative to dresses and skirts is the revival of the jumpsuit. There are a number of floral versions on the High Street and these make for great ready-to-go festival wear.

If florals are really not your thing but you still want to inject an element of flower power into your look, then the key is in accessories. There are a number of silk scarves, handbags, flower inspired chunky jewellery and shoes which add an elegant hint of the floral trend to your summer style.