What to wear with floral dresses

[stuckwithmystyle]

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m really happiest in floral dresses. For the past decade I’ve gone though cycles of basically buying a whole new wardrobe to reinvent my style, but when it comes down to it floral dresses are what I love.

The issue is, I want to make sure I don’t look outdated and uncool. I’m wondering if anyone could suggest what to wear with the dresses and how to style them.

For a bit of background, I’m approaching 40, petite at 5ft 2, size 10. During the summer I work outdoors and therefore am always in my gardening gear, so it’s more how to style the dresses in the cooler months. I absolutely can’t wear heels. Right now I’ve been wearing all my dresses with tights and knee high boots. Due to hair thinning, a few days ago I had my waist length hair cut to shoulders so I think I’m having a bit of a style crisis!

Well, floral dresses are outdated and uncool, so you have to accept that. What does it matter? Wear them with trainers like people were 5+ years ago and enjoy.

Oh bother! What IS cool then?

Knee high boots are good. Layer with a long sleeved T underneath or a slim fitting polo neck, style with a scarf etc.

I also love a floral dress and don’t care that they’re uncool. They suit my very hourglass shape! I try and fit them with other things that are a trend. So for example at the moment dark florals seem in, a bit of metallic and also chocolate brown shades so I have a beautiful chocolate brown dark florals dress. I then try and make sure my footwear is on trend- tights are having a moment so a tight and a Western boot is it for me at the moment!

Yes I think that’s the thing, dresses seem to suit my hourglass shape more than anything else. I do love the baggy sort of looks that seem to be around at the moment but because I’m short they just drown me. I’ve got some cowboys boots too I’ll give them a try

I am liking a jumper over a dress at the moment so I would say get yourself some jumpers in plain colours like grey etc that you can pop over a dress

How about a DM type shoe rather than boots to bring the look a bit more on trend?

Ignore ignore. Wear what suits you. Don’t follow the barrel leg jeans brigade

I rather like the idea of ‘floral dress’ being your signature look.

And it should be quite fun to constantly update the styling of your dresses. Floral isn’t my thing, but if it were, I might take my winter styling inspiration from sites like:

Cawley Studio

or

Zara

and throw myself into embracing a mix of fabrics and textures - wool, suede, sheepskin, velvet, leather, quilting, fake fur - layered under and over any dress.

And also build a wardrobe of good hosiery (socks more than tights) and varied footwear. Block heeled loafers and fair isle socks might be what I’d choose right now with a flowery dress, plus suede bomber jacket and crunchy beanie. Colder days maybe a beautifully coloured tweed coat with your knee high boots.

Throw a jumper over it, pair of DMs, embrace the 90s.

Could you branch out from florals into a different type of dress/pattern for winter? I like floral dresses too, but they’ve never been a winter staple! It’s a slightly odd look for the colder months.

Im the same i like a nice dress and would like to wear them daily. Maybe one day. I wear with tights , cardigan or jumper and trainers or shoes or boots . I feel pretty in a dress. Can wear leggings under in cold weather.

Do they need to be floral? Dresses are still very in at the moment, but tend to the more self coloured. Would you not be happy in similar dresses that were not floral? I think that’s the way to make them more current, it’s the shape, cut and the material that’s key to current or dated.

I think OP is looking to wear the dresses she already owns though, not buy new ones.

Insert floral dress here: (scroll all the way down and look at everything).

Fabulous Zara styling

Or take inspiration here: (again scroll through all with an open mind, observing styling and swagger).

Breathtaking r13 styling

Have a look at O Pioneers - love their look, good for winter too. Knitted tank tops over floral dresses, berets, cable tights. Very Nancy Mitford basically. It’s a very classic eccentric English vibe, will always live. Brora too for that kind of look with amazing knitwear.

Also - change the colour of the floral for winter - black, burgundy, chocolate brown. Wafting around in pastel pink in November would be a bit weird, but say a grey print with black tights, ankle boots, maybe a velvet jacket would be both warm and in line with that aesthetic.

Why do I always forget O Pioneers? Breathtaking things in their new collection.

To add to suggestions for possibly new to you sources of flowery frocks, and how to style them right now, see below. (For the avoidance of doubt I do not know the OP’s budget and these suggestions can be regarded purely as inspiration.)

https://alemais.com/collections/dresses?page=5

https://horror-vacui.com/en-im/collections/dresses

https://justinetabak.co.uk/

https://klements.co.uk/

https://www.ladoublej.com/en/ready-to-wear/categories/dresses/visconti-dress-botticelli-black-DRE0041CRE001CEL01BL01.html

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses/floral-dresses

https://palava.co/

And, somewhere that doesn’t do floral dresses but offers great things to wear with one:

https://hades-shop.co.uk/collections/shop?page=6

I wear mine with biker boots or DMs. Usually a jumper on top.

Although there will be answers to what's cool or on trend, if you love a thing then you'll be happiest in that thing. When I'm choosing clothes, I go through a check list. Do I like the look and feel of the item and does it fit, will I truly wear it (and do I not already have a million of it - I struggle with that one!) and does it make me happy, do I love it. An item has to tick all of those boxes in order for me to keep it. Nothing in my wardrobe is a "this will do" item. When I get dressed, I'm sure I'm wearing some things others wouldn't advise me to wear, but I am happy and love my clothes so much. Embrace your floral dresses!

…

If it were me, I would think back to that very first time I saw someone wearing a floral dress with trainers and a denim jacket. It's not that I particularly liked it but the point was that it looked fresh and interesting. That's the feeling I'd be trying to recapture and I would try my dresses on with anything in my wardrobe that felt like the antithesis of a floral frock, and when I ran out of things, I'd go round some real shops (which would probably require an out of town trip) and do the same.

I've no idea what would work - ugg boots and an old army jacket? quilted gilet? something in waxed cotton? But I'd continue until a found a combination that felt like myself. And that would become my style.

The other thing I would do, because I'm interested in fashion history, is check out all the different ways floral dresses have been designed and styled through the decades. If you use Instagram, you could hashtag labels like Horrockses, Celia Birtwell, Laura Ashley and Liberty. Or get some costume history books out of the library, although be warned that, if you catch the bug, you might end up spending your clothes budget on books.

I think floral dresses are a classic! I’ve been wearing them since I was 15 and I’m not about to stop now. Agree with putting a jumper over the top in the colder months or a polo neck underneath. I have a few chunky boxy cardigans that I think look good with them and balance the floatiness a bit.

You could also go for a different print like gingham or polka dot if you want a change from floral. But I say wear what you love and you know looks good.

I love a floral dress as I have an hourglass shape so they suit me. In the winter I wear them with chunky boots and an oversized cardigan.

So, the floral dress/ trainers/ denim jacket combo is dead.

But the elements can still be used. I agree with others put on your favourite dress play with coats, jumpers, tank tops, cardigans footwear etc until you like what you see. Lean in to it.

The best and most interesting dressers are not following fashions they play with fashions! Create your own look.

I should really do this more because this is where joy in dressing lives!

I still like the odd floral dress. Currently I'm wearing my favourite one (black, ditsy, midi) with Dr Martens, a polo neck jumper underneath and a dark green faux fur coat. Probably not at all 'on trend' (a phrase which I loathe) but I like it.