Fashion's Flowers are in Bloom Again

Under all this rain, the spring flowers are blooming. Not just in parks and on stoops, but in fashion as well! As May gives way to the sunny, warm days of June, out come the pretty girls wearing flower print sundresses, flowing pants and billowing tops.

And nothing says “winter is over” like florals and the beautiful sun-kissed women who wear them.

Florals come in every shape, size, and hue you can imagine. There are bright florals, subdued florals, large print florals and delicate florals. You can wear them on long, feminine dresses or edgy pantsuits, with tough denim shorts or demure sandals.

One of the trends we are seeing this season is 90s florals.  That’s right, think Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, minus the wispy bangs. We’re talking updated versions of throwbacks from your youth (well, mine anyway), reworked 90s floral prints on modern cuts and styles.

This week, I visited one of my favorite Cobble Hill staples, Calallilai on Atlantic Avenue, looking for the prettiest flowers I could find.

Callalilai carries the awesome and affordable Japanese line Aoyama Itchome. I tried three pieces from the collection, accessorizing with versatile summer sandals and bold statement jewelry.

A perfect example of 1990 meets 2011: the harem pant romper in throwback floral. This cornflower blue romper allows you to get sun on your shoulders and breeze on your legs... without worrying about your dress flying up during summer day activities. Frolic around during the day in this casual frock, or add a Narcizo Artifacts (from Argentinean designer Constanza Fuentes) braided jersey necklace and Aioty red suede sandals with sweet bows to transport it to a candle-lit garden dinner. This romper even has pockets. What else do you need?

Speaking of floral pantsuits, Aoyama Itchome’s wrap around pantsuit with deep slit open legs is about as sexy as it comes. A little more 70s von Furstenberg/ Studio 54 than 90s, this pantsuit is simultaneously elegant and steamy. Standing at ease you are glamorous and classy, but one step reveals a long sensual sliver of leg. After all, it would be a shame to wear such pretty flowers and not show off your stems.

I paired this amazing purple, yellow and pink piece with an Arrows N Hearts gold necklace and Aioty metallic leather slip-on sandals.

I will admit that I am a long, flowing sundress kind of girl – specifically soft, subdued tones that make your skin glow. Another great example of a 90’s style floral pattern retranslated into a 2011 maxi dress is Aoyama Itchome’s petal pink classic sundress with a slightly raised front hem. The pattern is less dense than the afore-mentioned romper, and the style less edgy. But this dress is pure summer femininity. You can almost imagine moist skin dampening the light fabric.

Callalilai also carries some great feather jewelry made by Arrows N Hearts. I clipped some feathers in my hair to emphasize the earthy sensuality of this look.

All Aoyama Itchome pieces are available in a variety of other colors.

Side-note: adorable dog not for sale.

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Other stores of note for Spring florals:

LF Stores

227 Court Street

LF Stores is chock-full of heavenly florals from vests to blouses to skirts to dresses to pants--you name it. LF Stores is known for its rock n’ roll meets bohemian vibe. Throw on some of their duds and you’ll look fresh out of Coachella in the California desert.

Teddy 

216 Court Street

Teddy has some nice, modern floral print dresses. You'll always find a nice piece for events such as weddings and graduations, and often nicely priced.

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Callalilai

296 Atlantic Avenue @ Smith Street

Aoyama Itchome harem pant romper #kuro06, $89

Aoyama Itchome wrap pant suit #kuro14, $139

Aoyama Itchome summer maxi dress #kuro08, $109

Aioty red suede sandals with bows, $206

Aioty metallic sandals, $99

Narcizo Artifacts braided jersey necklace, $77

Arrows N Hearts jewel bar necklace, $37

Arrows N Hearts feather hair clip, $33