Krissy Turner Girl on a budget
When florals are a bit too predictable, go tropical
Adisclaimer: I don’t own any floral printed clothing. It’s not that I don’t like florals, I just haven’t found any that manage to be both cool and feminine. As such, I’ve always been an avid stripes wearer, feeling a slight longing whenever I spot someone wearing a pansy print well. Until now. Enter the botanical print, or Club Tropicana as I’m dubbing them – sounds a bit more exotic than garden florals, doesn’t it?
My obsession began when I came across the brand For Restless Sleepers, which has a signature style of chic silky trousers, kimonos and shirts in bright oversized tropical prints.
Great, but at an eyewatering
£500 a pop for a printed shirt, I was pleased when the trend reached the high street.
My first (digital) port of call was Zara, which has a good selection of silky botanical pieces at the moment. I bought a fabulous printed calflength kimono, plus a blue tropical shirt – the crepesilk fabric saves this from looking like nightwear: I wore it to the office with black trousers without any funny looks. If you aren’t keen on dresses but want to look summery, this combination is worth a try. On the other hand, if you are partial to a printed dress, try a silky wrap style that can also be worn open as a lightweight kimono jacket. As a general rule, the smaller-scale prints are safest for work. Pair a tropical blouse with navy trousers and white slingback shoes, or a pleated skirt and metallic sandals. Larger prints look great on slouchy shapes, such as an oversized blazer or kimono; wear over jeans and a T-shirt or a swimsuit on the beach. They also make a great statement cover-up for weddings, so the cost-perwear will speak for itself.
Elsewhere on the high street, Oasis has an array of loosely tailored pieces that can be easily dressed up with statement earrings or down with straight leg jeans. H&M is also doing a great tropical print: its pink robe has a dress, cami top, blouse, pair of culottes and city shorts to match: a holiday-capsule wardrobe in the making.
If you’re new to bold prints, and are worried yours is too bright and veering into naffdad territory; it isn’t, anything goes. Think Wham! via Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 17 and you’ve nailed it.
Larger prints look great on slouchy shapes, such as an oversized blazer