Florals: Already Dead?

Each time a model pounded down the runway in something floral last week, Miranda Priestly was in our head, “Florals…for spring. Groundbreaking.”

But these were for Fall, and they were everywhere: Erin Fetherston, Peter Som, Michael Kors, Sari Gueron and Derek Lam to name just a few.

The idea is appealing. On a disgusting rainy/slushy/snowy day like today, a purple floral mini would make the day a little more bearable.

But the truth is that we’re already a little over the floral thing, and for most people, it’s only just started. When we saw Anna in that yellow and blue-flowered skirt (a couple times) last week, we didn’t think, “Oh, how pretty,” (and it was!) We thought, “Oh, it’s that Prada skirt. Again.”

Maybe it’s because we work in fashion, or maybe it’s because we have the attention span of a six year-old, but we feel like florals (especially the Balenciaga kind,) have been dominating editorials for months, and so to just now see them on the street, we can’t help but feel over it, and totally surprised (and bored) to see it again for Fall.

We’re pretty sure we’re still going to rock some cute floral dresses with gladiators in a couple months, but come October, we think we’ll probably have moved on to stars or swirls or something in between.

Would you invest in key floral pieces for fall? Or will this trend never make it off the runways?

posted by guest

Feb 13, 2008 2:38PM

I feel like the idea of putting flower prints on clothing is so natural that it transcends seasons. Flowers = insouciant girliness in this season or any other.

posted by mariamaria

Feb 13, 2008 2:40PM

Are florals a trend now? Florals make up 80% of textile prints. They have always been around and they will continue to always be around.

I think what you are trying to get at is a particular type of floral pattern?

As for stars: no, no, no, no. Nothing says "mall punk" more than stars!

posted by LauraMilli

Feb 13, 2008 3:23PM

Ha! I kept thinking of that Miranda Priestly quote too! And yuck, I hate florals. Unless it's a teensy tiny clean print layered underneath something else or a watercolor-inspired look mixed in with something non-floral.

Feb 13, 2008 4:22PM

i feel that way about houndstooth (but not quite herringbone), black tights, and that mostly 'black-and/or-grey monochrome with a few colour blocks' look.
especially with plaid- particularly burberry. it's very over.
but that's a given, because it's very last year at this point.
my city is generally about a season behind the rest of the world though, so whatever. people still wear uggs here.

i can't figure out the florals. they remind me of my hipster roomate who did old lady in the worst possible way *last* spring. i can wear floral embroidery. and if i find good paisley print tights i'll wear the hell outta those. but that's where i draw my line.

Feb 13, 2008 4:42PM

i'm confused because i thought that florals and gladiators were LAST year's trend, which i wore - and i'm not the hippest of hip, but usually when i rock a trend it's already out with the fashionistas...

maybe there just aren't any fresh ideas left from year to year anymore...

Feb 13, 2008 6:51PM

every once in a while i crave flowers in my wardrobe the way i crave flowers in my home. i just need something... fresh, alive, girly. however, i never seem to want those prada-esque flowers. if i want flowers, i want them to be ethereal, erin featherston flowers.

Feb 13, 2008 7:09PM

Florals are classic, but after last spring-most notably Balenciaga- it became a bonafide trend. I work at a NY fashion house and we've been shown so many florals we've actually started saying "no florals this season, please"...The same thing happened last season with Ikat prints. So the moral of the story is unless you happen to jump onto a trend the same season as Balenciaga (or even the following pre-season) it's cool. "Major" even. But when you are doing florals 6 months after it's a bit...undisciplined. But this is from a design standpoint. Wear florals, girls. Just know that come spring every girl will be wearing them too.

Feb 13, 2008 8:05PM

Guilty as charged!!! I love my floral prints and have been wearing them non-stop since mid last year. already over? i highly doubt it. darling, the commercialization of this look is just starting. A vintage ditsy print a la circa '95 with your work/doc/pixie boots? it will happen.It may not be vogue but i have already seen this in various parts of williamsburg. Now all you have to do is go out and buy a rouge lipstick and your best pout and your set!!!!Next up Creepers!!!!

Feb 14, 2008 8:03AM

^ The vintage floral dress with clumpy boots look has been around for ages (at least in the UK) It's certainly not a new trend. I agree that florals done a certain way (the hundreds of Luella-esque skirts and dresses flooding the high street spring to mind) are very overexposed and "trendy" but I don't think florals on the whole can really be considered over. It's a type of pattern and has always been around. I'll still keep wearing mine, and intend to buy others, though not the very obviously this season options.

Feb 14, 2008 10:32AM

I call it a second-time-around trend but really, I think the idea of trends is surely obsolete now? Everything changes so fast, there aren't even proper seasons anymore. And come on, florals, plaid, tweed, it's kind of dumb no? Designers shoud be allowed to show what they like without us saying 'not that again'...!

Feb 14, 2008 11:24AM

undisciplined? you guys are talking about florals as if they were skinny jeans and ballet flats. i haven't worn a single floral print in years...and i haven't seen any moderately priced floral outfits that i could even buy...as for if it's attractive? it's about the right kinda shape, the right kinda girl.