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As a child of the 80’s when I heard Floral was in this season, I immediately flashed to Holly Hobby and Laura Ingalls Wilder. While I loved them as a child, I’ve grown up since then. I confess, I struggle with patterns. I am a mere (but mighty) 5’1. Large patterns tend to overwhelm my frame and drown me. While a small pattern tends to make me look childlike and immature. I generally lean to solids and use patterns as accents. As I started looking at how and if I could pull this trend off, I fell back on two secret fashion tricks for approaching a new style: rentals and travel. I rented a beautiful floral skirt from The Showroom Nashville to wear in L.A. recently which gave me the confidence to add more florals into my wardrobe.

 

Baby Steps:

I find when I struggle with a trend, baby steps are best. As I mentioned I find ways to explore a trend with a minimal investment. So flowers aren’t your thing? Too frilly, too girly, too been there, done that? I find the easiest way to work a trend into my existing wardrobe is a new shoe.

By placing the pattern at my feet, it cannot overwhelm my frame or make my eye feel distracted. It is an excellent way to use a trend as an accent for the season. And the good news is, I have placed these exact floral pumps, along with a flat option, in my collection for both Your Style Vault Insiders and Complete Insiders can shop.

 

Fresh as a Flower:

What I have found is I love the large print florals that are trending right now. Since there is a solid background and not an all-over pattern, I don't become overwhelmed. The print is not overly busy or distracting to the eye. My dark rinse baby boot cut jeans are a great way to wear black in the daytime without looking so weighted down in color. I am including options for this blouse from 0-24 and petite in my current collection.

 

Flower Power:

The “power” pencil skirt is softened with the femininity of the running floral pattern. Here, the pattern is smaller in print but much less dominating overall. I am wearing dark navy and shell pink together. The pink softens what could be a dark and heavy Fall color. My collection includes a dark burgundy styled with shell pink which is a color combination I love!

Heading out after work for dinner and a show? Add a beautiful fur or a faux from Barbara’s collection. I simply swapped my nude pump for a black one and my look has transformed from day to night.

 

Wild and Free:

An A-line circle skirt flatters every body. I am stepping out and getting crazy here, for me, of course. I am wearing a dress with a print! I know, I am laughing, too. Baby steps! I love the fit of this dress and it lends to another Fall trend, over knee boots with circle skirts. I think we haven’t given over knee boots the credit they deserve until recently. Another advantage I recently discovered is they hide not-20-anymore-knees! Still unsure, revisit my blog on Over the Knee Boots. I have scouted some great circle dress options for everyone as well!

 

Déjà vu:

We talk a lot about wardrobe builders and wardrobe multipliers in our blogs at YSV. I love showing you several pieces that introduce a trend into your wardrobe. I also love showing you how to wear a piece multiple ways so you get a great return on your CPW (Cost Per Wear). I have re-matched my daytime blouse with a simple leather pant and a suit jacket. Styled with my fun, hot pink splurge heels, I am ready for cocktails, dinner with friends, date night or a cocktail reception.

Take this look to work as well: switch the leather pants to a black pencil skirt like the one I featured in my lace collection (accessible to both Vault and Complete Vault Insiders) and a black suede heel.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. I always suggest a baby step if you are uncertain. As I mentioned, I love renting a trend before investing sometimes. I will be talking about how I incorporate renting clothing into my wardrobe for everyday and special events in the next few weeks.

As always, you may reach out to me with questions at [email protected] . Make sure you are following me on Facebook andInstagram to catch me in the moment.

Until next time,

Jessica