Cultivating rare florals

 As Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep in  'The Devil Wears Prada") would say with an arched eyebrow: "Forals? For spring? Groundbreaking."

But perennials pop up each spring, to exert a gentle, yet persistent tug. Like tulip bulbs, I wonder how many will survive, but there they are, heralding optimism like that extra hour of daylight. In the window today, florals that neither cloy nor make a grown woman look like a nursery catalog. Some of it is in the print, some in the garment's cut and quality.

Posies on pants

One way to surprise a floral is to strew it on trousers:

Left: Go big: the exploded print lifts these sunflowers from field to street; 100% cotton. From Plumo; price £119.

Right: Hedgerow-print kick flare trousers, from Toast; price, £290. The dense, retro-influenced print is fresh in this blue/green/cocoa colourway.

Blues and white  

When navy-and-white, blockprint-inspired florals look crisp and grown-up.

Left: Simon's relaxed shirt in lightweight cotton; shown in blue. The crisp print and the discreet palette lend a grown-up, graceful attitude. (Note to US readers: Simons has a US site.)

Right: Boden's "Gardenia Swirl" cotton shirt, price, $CDN 125. Up to UK size 22. The slightly boxy cut would make this work as an overshirt, too.

 

Submit to charm

Exceptionally whimsical and charming: rabbits, birds, blooms, and toadstools: this Tory Burch printed linen camp shirt is a tour de force floral. Price, $US 328. A similar version is made as a silk-front cardigan and as a cotton tee.

Photo: Tory Burch

A botanical departure—figs— in a print Katrin Leblond designed herself (and sews in her Montréal boutique):   

Photo: Katrin Leblond

Katrin Leblond "Fig Salad" tee in soft, brushed poly. (A nice poly, I've worn it.) Sizes XS- XXL; slso made as a tank. Price, $ CDN 119.  

Certain prints do not read as, "Oh, a floral." A prime example; Monsoon's "Rosa" linen top in black and ecru. Thanks to my neighbour, Joyce, a Monsoon fan, for pointing me here. Price, £55.

At your feet

Floral socks! Sprightly, soft tweaks, all from Simons:

Photos: Simons

Left: Red floral cotton socks; price, $10.
Top right: Cotton socks with tiny roses on the backs; also made in black; price, $10.
Bottom right: Giant flower socks in cotton/poly blend; price, $12.

You can carry your flowers, too—a black and white umbrella works with anything. Marimekko umbrella, price, $89 on the Vancouver store's site.

Finale: High style hibiscuses 

This post took many hours to research and write, because of my polarized attitude toward florals. But when I find the combination of free-spirited and impeccably-made, I fall hard—but you don't get heirloom roses at carnation prices.

Begg x Co's Summer Isles cashmere cardigan fits the bill, and for £695 that is quite a bill.  (Notice the perfect design of the sleeve, with hibiscuses at the elbows! This is part of the price.) 

Photos: Begg x Co

Notice the cardi is worn with faded jeans, just as Miranda Priestly would expect—no, require. There's a second colourway which would extend its blooming season.

Tossing the bouquet to you: what's floral in your closet, and how welcome is it this spring?