Two things. Delicate florals and tiny polka dots. This is vintage at its best for me. Regardless of whether or not something is vintage, I still prefer small prints, that’s why I’m a fan of delicate florals and tiny polka dots. If you don’t know why I’m a fan of small prints, it’s because they are universally flattering on all shapes and sizes. Here are some great tiny polka dot dresses:
We Americans call them vests, the lovely Brits call them waistcoats. I call them one of my favorite wardrobe pieces. Vests can look great. You just have to know how to wear them! They need to look like they’re tailor made, just like any well-fitting blazer. The waist of the vest looks better when it fits snugly. Seriously, there’s kind of an art to choosing the right vest. It can’t be too short where it makes the body look like the waist is too high (hence the name: waistcoat. It sits on the waist!) It can’t be too long as to drown out the figure. It can’t be too loose as to hide the waist and the arm holes can’t be too big. The neckline shouldn’t be too high up either. But when you’ve found the perfect fitting waistcoat, it’s very figure flattering. It’s worth the hunt for the perfect fit and perfect length.
This is an example of a vest that is too big on the mannequin: 
I think this is a universal truth: Peach looks good on everyone! It brightens women’s faces and softens any look. I really think it’s the most feminine color out there. But that’s just me. You might be saying, No Way! It’s Pink! or Red! Pink can look feminine for sure, but it’s also associated with that over the top, bubble gum, barbie doll, girly froth. Red can look feminine too, but it’s also associated with anger, passion and heat.
Peach. It’s perfectly sweet. Perfectly feminine without being over the top. It has the bright happiness associated with orange and the lovely girliness associated with pink, but the combination balances everything out. So that’s a little bit of color theory for ‘ya by yours truly:)
I’m going to try to find as many people with varied skin tones wearing different shades of peach to prove my point!
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This is the last segment of a four part series featuring fall floral looks found on the 2008 Fall runway. Part one featured jewel toned floral dresses. Part two featured muddied or art-inspired floral dresses, and part three featured black and white floral dresses. This last part features the look of floral print on a white or black background.
In part two, I showcased similar art-inspired dresses from Dennis Basso and Erin Fetherston. Both designers also showcased a floor length floral number with a black backdrop! This first one is from Dennis Basso’s collection.
2008 Fall Collection
In parts I and II, I showcased jewel toned and muddied floral looks found on the fall runway. Part III will feature black and white fall floral looks. This look is pretty straight forward. The dresses all have black and white floral prints.
Bill Blass featured two in his collection. This first one is a sheath with bold black flowers and some black polka dots. It features a asymmetrical collar.
2008 Fall Collection
In Part I, I showed examples from the runway of Fall Floral looks that featured jewel tones. Part II features the fall floral look of “muddied” floral. Muddied floral is exactly what it sounds like: floral that looks muddy. Muddied floral prints don’t have borders, the floral just runs into each other. This look may remind you of a watercolor painting of abstract flowers. Some print even has shades of brown that really give the appearance of muddied floral! Another variation of this look is busy, art-inspired floral.
The best example of muddied floral I could find is from the Jovovich-Hawk collection. It actually looks “muddy.” This is probably because it has a swampy green and brown palette.
different gems
Most people can see floral dresses worn in spring and possibly in the summer months, but fall? Can floral dresses really be worn in the fall? I’m absolutely in love with floral dresses, and I want to be able to wear them year round! Here’s how I get away with wearing floral dresses when the leaves start changing.
1. Choose a floral dress in rich colors like purple, burgundy, hunter green, rustic orange
It’s not a surprise that fall floral dresses take on deeper hues and spring’s pastels are set aside. Many of the muted colors match the changing colors of the trees. This dress by T-Bags is a perfect example of floral dresses taking on the colors of the fall leaves. Check out the detailing:
This dress manages to incorporate colors of peach, maroon, mustard yellow, light purple and black!
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