What better way to brighten up these short, dark days than with colourful winter florals?
Iwas feeling rather gloomy during a foray into the heart of the City of London last week as an army of black and navy headed to and fro. I suddenly spotted a woman dressed in a bright coat with a floral dress looking elegant and radiant as she carved her way through the crowds. It reminded me that the shortest and darkest days of the year are precisely the time to embrace colour and print – and you can’t get any better than winter florals, a soothing antidote to the dreaded prospect of commuting in the dark.
I am always encouraging clients to wear more print and most I have been able to convert. However, it will feel more appropriate in some work spaces than others where anything eyecatching can feel like too much of a statement. You need to feel confident so play it safe on the shape and style in order to feel comfortable. Michelle Obama is a brilliant example (and maybe an unfair one because quite frankly she is just amazingly confident) of how to wear print, dressing it down with a fitted cardigan or jacket and simple heels. Prints are generally harder to wear in the winter as you are factoring in overcoats, tights and boots rather than tanned summer legs and sandals but darker tones will blend in well with your cold weather kit.
If you are worried about looking too “girlie” then add smart leather boots. Another way to experiment with the look is via separates; this Warehouse blouse with
its subtle red flowers and pretty flared cuffs would lift an all black outfit immediately. Or The Fold’s bold red leaf print looks excellent with slim trousers.
Of course, floral prints come in many guises so you can find the level that works for you, from the muted feel of this Marks & Spencer navy dress to the dialled-up vibrancy of Lux Fix’s skirt. Hobbs has mastered botanicals this season – I love their midi dress which I would pair with black heeled boots. They even have a pair of floral velvet flats which would be perfect for testing this trend, they’re bound to brighten not only your own day, but your fellow commuters’ and colleagues’ day, too. To ask Isabel Spearman your workwear questions, email isabel.spearman @telegraph.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @isabelspearman