Styling florals at this time of year in new (and slightly more modern) ways can be challenging - and that is exactly the challenge I was set by Laura Ashley, a brand known for their floral prints. They wanted me to style some of their SS14 pieces in a way that was a little different to the girly, chintzy florals of old; something fresher and more modern.
I chose the Ditsy floral print trousers because rather than a soft, pretty floral, this print is edgy due to the bold punches of black and bright pink and the paint-splat effect of the flowers. And rather than a direct pattern-mix, I thought the Candy Orange lace sleeve top in that gorgeous coral colour would work well with the sleeves rolled up and provide a nice soft background for the black and gold jewellery. With the addition of a fierce pair of heels and a Panama hat, I think the look is pretty far-removed from the floaty, feminine florals so often associated with Laura Ashley... I love this for spring. It's still feminine and it's still floral, but hopefully a little more unexpected and bold.
Have you found any new and exciting ways to wear florals? What do you pair with your floral pieces to keep them fresh and on-trend? Do share in the comments!
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