Lady LUX

Bringing together the best of both seasons – bright spring blossoms and traditional dark Fall palettes – Winter florals are popping up as a major trend. Colorful floral prints are splashed in disarray across black backgrounds for the perfect contrast. Designers got creative with the print for Fall 2011 and crafted feminine dresses and monochrome looks. Take a cue from the runway and inject winter florals into your wardrobe!

Blouses are the simplest and most versatile way to add dark floral prints to any look. DKNY, Haute Hippie and Joie offer both vibrant and neutral prints in ladylike silhouettes.

DKNY’s silk-chiffon blouse features a ruffled collar and pleated single-button cuffed sleeves. With playful red, orange, purple and navy flowers, it pairs well with navy pants to accent the darker blossoms. To avoid the Winter blues, match the blouse with a red or pink skirt for a burst of brilliant color.

With its romantic silhouette, Joie’s slightly oversized print washed silk blouse with raglan sleeves can be toughened up with a pair of liquid leather skinnies and pointed-toe boots. For a streamlined look, tuck in the blouse. To keep the top sweet and airy, style with a flared black or tan skirt.

Soft and draped, Haute Hippie’s cowl-neck watercolor floral top is easy to wear day or night. Featuring an uneven shirttail hem and long sleeves, this top easily combines with blue or black denim for brunch or shopping with the girls. Toss on a gray blazer and black-and-white striped scarf for a playful print contrast.

In the mood for an adventurous look? Think winter florals on pants and shorts. Daughters of the Revolution and Ksubi have bottoms that will catch everyone’s attention.

Wide-leg with sheer side insets, Daughters of the Revolution handkerchief-pattern pants are chic and sophisticated. If you want a proper look, combine the pants with a white button-up blouse and wedge platforms. To create a relaxed style, try a chunky cable-knit sweater in neutral shades or bright red, depending on your mood.

With gray and purple florals, Ksubi’s pleated silk shorts are neutral. The shorts can easily be paired with a white, gray or black top for an effortless ensemble. For chilly winter days, layer them over black knitted tights. Or take inspiration from the runway and style the shorts with a winter floral button-up for monochrome print ensemble. A more colorful print can add contrast to simple base colors.

Perfect for all-over black attire or a fun pop of flair, Rodarte for Opening Ceremony’s winter floral lace-up booties are whimsical yet tough. The booties feature a square toe, a cutout vamp and covered chunky heel. With their colorful print, the booties don’t have to match your outfit perfectly. Instead, entertain different shades with vibrant-colored skinny pants and neutral-color tops.

This article was contributed Annette Tang of the Versastyle. You can follow Annette and her fashion adventures on Twitter at @theversastyle.

Tagged in: trends, guides, floral, dkny, prints, haute hippie, joie, ksubi, winter floral, daughters of the revolution, rodarte for opening ceremony,

Fashion / Trends