Floral Fashion: Taking inspiration from nature’s most beautiful accessories

When it comes to fashion, the definition of "beautiful" changes from culture to culture, from decade to decade. Throughout history and around the globe, one enduring symbol of beauty has consistently captivated humanity: flowers.

For centuries, flowers have served as a way of communicating messages to others. Each flower has acquired a reputation of its own, taking on a bushel of symbolic meanings such as love, passion, and heartbreak.

Spring is here, so you can always take the easy route of wearing basic floral patterns. For a fun, new approach to liven up your style, draw inspiration directly from nature's oldest and most beautiful accessories.

Baby's breath symbolizes everlasting love and is renowned for its daintiness. It frequently lends an airy and simple nature to accompanying flowers. These flowers are primarily seen in bouquets, often surrounding larger, brighter flowers while maintaining their own uniqueness. While baby's breath may not possess the vibrant hue of a red rose or the garishness of a hibiscus, its beauty lies in its simplicity, cherished for its timeless elegance.

A simple white dress with eyelet fabric is the fashion equivalent to baby's breath flowers. The lightweight, airy material of eyelet fabric paired with a simple white dress is a closet staple. As the flower represents everlasting love, this delicate style remains cherished and embraced in spring and summer fashion trends.

Peonies symbolize bashfulness and a happy life. The flower is known for its long lifespan. Once peonies take root in a garden, they can last for several generations, with some thriving for an entire century. Although peonies come in multiple colors, a soft dusty pink perfectly encapsulates rosy cheeks flushed with modesty.

As peonies last for generations, never going out of style, a silk slip dress is the fashion equivalent of this timeless flower. In the 1920s, this century-old staple ushered in as women began to prefer loose-fitting silhouettes over the structured fit of corsets. In 2024, the silky slip has solidified its reputation as a must-have item, and there is no better color than a soft peony pink.

Calla lilies are known for their elegance and beauty. They are planted in the spring and bloom in the summer. The petals of these flowers, blossoming from vibrant green stems, stand tall and white, with their structured blooms, earning them the reputation of "the sophisticated flower."

The shape of calla lilies resembles a high neckline on a piece of clothing. In fashion, high necklines give an outfit elegance and simplicity. In the heat of spring and summer, there is no better way to replicate a calla lily than a simple white high-neck mini dress. This closet classic can be dressed up or down while still having an appeal of sophistication. To take the flower inspiration even further, styling it with green statement shoes can replicate the flower's stems while adding a pop of color to the outfit.

Dianthus flowers, often referred to as "pinks," are known to charm gardeners, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their sweet and spicy fragrance. They are known as "the divine flower," and they come in various shades of pink and pastel, some even multi-colored.

The perfect way to execute a sweet and spicy look is to wear an open-back dress. A pink babydoll or shift dress with bow detailing can give a sweet, feminine energy to any look. Pairing that with an open-back can give a simple dress an edge, maturity, and risqué appeal.

Carnations are known for symbolizing female love but can have different meanings based on color. Red symbolizes deep love, white represents pure love, and pink means "I'll never forget you." These flowers have long been associated with romance, becoming a Valentine's Day staple in the flower industry.

In recent years, Y2K style has had a resurgence in the fashion world, bringing back decadent flower chokers. While there are several sizes, colors, and types of flowers to choose from, a carnation-style choker will make the accessory pop with its billowy petals. This eye-catching accessory brings a fun and romantic touch to any dress or outfit.

References

Boeckmann, C (November 17, 2023). Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers

Borrelli-Persson, L (October 10, 2023). 11 Spring 2024 Fashion Trends That Define the Season https://www.vogue.com/article/11-spring-2024-fashion-trends-that-define-the-season

Gonzalez, C.D. (June 17, 2021). Dainty and Delicate, Eyelet Dresses Make Summer More Lovely https://www.vogue.com/article/eyelet-dresses

Montalti, V (July 25, 2023). We’re Reclaiming The Romantic Y2K Flower Choker Trend https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/best-flower-chokers

Samaha, B (November 29, 2022). Shop the Looks from the 1920s That Continue to Inspire Today https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g35335543/1920s-fashion-photos/

Written by Sarah Myers

Copyedited by Emily Slepsky

Graphic by Jolie Bellaff