Floral prints
Choose the colours first. Then plan the outfit.
Before buying a floral, name two things you already own that you would wear with it. A favourite pair of trousers and a familiar shoe are a useful beginning. When deciding how to wear floral prints, look at the background colour, the size of the flowers and the shades within the design. Try repeating one of those shades elsewhere in the outfit, then compare it with a neutral you wear often. This gives you a practical way to judge the print against your own wardrobe.
Give the shape just as much attention. Check the neckline, sleeve, hem and the way the fabric moves when you sit. Floral clothing at Weekends includes designs from Escape by Orientique, Mela Purdie and Monari. Compare the individual fabrics and cuts as you browse. A floral blouse, a relaxed shirt dress and a more detailed dress each need their own fit and outfit check.
Choose a colour from inside the print
Look beyond the largest flower. Try picking up a smaller colour in a leaf or petal for your trousers, jacket or bag. With a blue, pink and green design, for example, compare navy trousers with a softer green layer. You can use the background colour as another starting point.
Put the pieces beside one another, then try them on. If you prefer a simpler combination, use a plain neutral for the larger separate and repeat a print colour only in an accessory.
Choose the shape as carefully as the flowers
Try a floral in a cut you already know you enjoy: a collared shirt, a loose blouse or a straight dress. Then compare it with a different shape. Check the shoulder, armhole and where the hem falls, and move around before deciding.
Read the fabric and care details on the individual listing. Compare a fabric that holds its shape with one that falls more fluidly, using the garment’s actual description and your fitting-room check. Choose for how you want the piece to feel through a working day, a lunch or an evening.
Plan a second way to wear it
- A floral blouse: try dark trousers for one outfit and lighter trousers for another. Compare both with your own shoes before buying.
- A floral dress: begin with flat sandals for a relaxed day. Try a plain jacket and a different shoe for another occasion, checking the jacket length against the dress.
- A fuller floral shape: compare a small bag with a larger one, and try jewellery with the neckline rather than choosing it separately.
Browse shirts and blouses for a floral separate, or dresses if you prefer a single piece. Let the garment’s cut, fabric and your plans guide the choice.
Your floral prints questions
How do I choose the size of a floral print?
Compare a small repeat and a larger floral in similar shapes. Look at the space between the flowers, the colour contrast and where the main motifs sit on the garment. Try each with the same shoes or trousers, then choose the overall effect you prefer in a full-length mirror.
What shoes should I wear with a floral dress?
Try a plain shoe in a colour from the print, then compare it with a neutral you already wear. Check the dress length and where you will walk or stand. Choose the shoe and dress together, and try the complete outfit before deciding whether it needs more jewellery or a different bag.
Can I wear floral prints beyond summer?
Choose the outfit for the weather and your plans. Try the floral with a plain knit or jacket, and compare it with a closed shoe or boot. Check the fabric weight and sleeve room of the individual garment, especially when layering. A print name alone does not establish seasonal comfort.
How can I mix a floral with another print?
Begin with a colour shared by both designs and a clear difference in pattern size. Try a small striped or spotted accessory with the floral, keeping the other pieces plain while you compare. Add and remove the accessory in the mirror, then choose the version you would enjoy wearing.
How do I choose the right size when shopping online?
Read the size guide and fit notes for that particular label and garment. Compare any supplied measurements with a similar piece you own, allowing for how you like it to sit. Check the fabric composition, closure and fit description. Ask for missing measurements before choosing a size if the listing is unclear.
Compare colours, shapes and patterns in our printed clothing range.
Browse Printed & Floral Clothing