A New Trend in 60 Seconds

Charlie Dawson helps you get dressed in the morning. Photo: Rex Features

THE FLIRTY FLORAL

Congratulations! You’ve survived the most hideously clichéd, over-anticipated and ultimately underwhelming date in your diary: Valentine’s Day. If your fella failed to buy you roses (or even a bunch of petrol station carnations) then stop sobbing, you can wear whole bouquets on your body this spring/summer. Because, petal, floral is back!

It may be a new decade, but designers have included an old fashion nod to romance and femininity in their bloomin’ good collections. Back when New York fashion week previewed this season’s threads we saw Herve Leger’s flattering and flowery mini-dresses. DKNY sent their usual sporty cuts down the runway, but harem pants, sharp-shouldered jackets and long T- shirt dresses were all adorned with big floral prints in gelato colours.

Like tartan and stripes, the floral trend is a perennial favourite (seen here rocked by country star Taylor Swift), but this time around, look out for pieces in muted nudes and printed on organic cotton or recycled polyester (like some of the new H&M collection). Budding style icons should invest in a floral playsuit (try Topshop), and wear with a beige trenchcoat; or toughen up a rosy mini-dress with a 1980s biker jacket in buttery black leather or light denim.

No one wants to look like they’ve fallen into a window box, so heed some rules my green-fingered friends:

1 Go for painterly prints or bold, all-over florals with a retro feel.

2 Blooms look best when worn with block-coloured tailored pieces — whether that’s a cropped floral top over a black body, or a printed tunic top over leggings.

3 If you prefer, just accessorize with hair grips, brooches and belts that blossom. English roses, this is your moment!