Trend Alert: The New Spring Florals (Under $50)

By Chris Frey
February 10, 2010

Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week Christian Dior (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Chanel (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images), Anna Sui (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)

Spring is synonymous with flowers, and fashion designers pay homage to nature's prettiest offspring year after year, with designs—sometimes-entire collections—inspired by blossoms and blooms. It’s virtually impossible to imagine a Spring/Summer fashion season passing without a substantial nod to The Flower. Designers take advantage of the endless botanical diversity, replete with shapes and colors that translate into amazing pattern when transferred to fabric.

So, while it’s not exactly surprising to see floral prints on the runways yet again, this spring fashion season, it’s the reinvention of something so familiar that’s exhilarating. Gone are oversize graphic florals, exotic interpretations and high contrast color. This year brings undeniable femininity with a softer edge. Despite crisp, retro, pop art treatments from Anna Sui, the majority of designers worked with washes of color that grounded smaller, intermittent flowers seemingly watercolored into place. The palettes ranged from dusty, barely there blue, lavender, periwinkle, mushroom and powder pink to more saturated hues of purple, green, orange, yellow and hot pink. Ruffles, ruching, and tiers of nearly sheer chiffon added an even more feminine edge to the already girly vibe at Chanel, Dior, Stella McCartney and Cynthia Steffe. Channeling the same femininity, Thakoon added more intense color and a looser floral motif in his gorgeous layered, almost patchwork, constructions. Derek Lam covered all bases with an array of patterns that included sequin-covered flowers and styles reminiscent of deco satin upholstery prints. Collections included floral separates, like chiffon blouses and drapey tanks (often paired with solid shorts and mini skirts), as well as head-to-toe looks like the pantsuit from Tory Burch and floor length maxi dresses at Etro. If you're planning to try the trend, keep it soft and feminine. If you tend towards vintage looks, think 70’s laid-back romantic. Check out these takes on the trend—all under $50.

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Floral Wood Heel Sandal (buy it now $23.99)
Painterly washes of color play well against the natural wood and cork.
Chiffon Organza Dress (current bid, approx. $17)
A sweet but sexy shape that will transform from day to night with ease.
Floral T-Strap Sandal (buy it now price, $22.00)
This little garden cluster of flowers will showcase your pedicure.
Rebecca Taylor Cosmetic Bag (buy it now price, $9.99)
Pretty pink trim accentuates the soft Monet-like florals.
Cacharel Floral Chiffon Blouse (buy it now price, $9.99)
Great layered over a silk camisole, and the banding is a pretty accent.
Cropped Pants (buy it now price, $17.00)
Dare to take your cropped, colored jeans one step further with this sweet flower print. At this price, you can afford to take a chance!
Chiffon Peasant Blouse (buy it now $12.99)
Perfectly on-trend: a little boho and entirely feminine.
Silk Floral Scarf (starting bid, $.99)
Karl Lagerfeld showed floral chiffon dresses with attached scarves in his Chanel collection. This will help you cheat the look a little.
Chiffon Floral Dress (buy it now price, $19.99)
Lightweight, with the softest blush of color and a little ruffle accent.