I’m not a fan of florals
I don’t hate them, either. It’s just that when it comes to prints, I prefer geometric or abstract patterns. Such as stripes, and… OK, usually it’s just stripes.
However, I have some dresses with floral prints, too. Quite a few, in fact. And I really like all of them. But that’s probably because the floral prints I choose tend to be a bit more abstract and modern, or big and bold.
And I have a few loose, kaftan-style Marimekko dresses for those hot summer days. This is the first kaftan dress I bought (a long time ago), but I don’t wear it very often. Why? Well, mainly because I like my dresses longer. A maxi dress is my go-to for summer: it’s perfect for the warmer days, and I can just add a cardigan on cooler days.
And I just want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with ‘modesty‘ or any such nonsense: I just want to maximise the sun protection my clothes can provide.
Because, well, look at me: have you ever seen anyone as pale as me??? And I look like this year round. No, I don’t really get tanned. Unless you call burned to a crisp ‘tanned‘, of course.
And yes, of course I wear sun screen. Or, rather, moisturiser with SPF 30 (or higher, if I can find it). But I won’t wear those greasy, smelly sun screens that make me feel all sticky.
By the way, when these photos were taken, it was very sunny but not particularly warm. It wasn’t cold, either; just windy. It seems to be always windy here (duh! wind and seaside, that’s sort of a package deal, isn’t it?).
And as you can see, I’m mixing warm and cold tones in this outfit: the pink in the dress is clearly cool whereas the cardigan is a warmer shade of pink.
In other words, this pairing was deliberate: I wanted to see what it would look like. And the verdict? Well, it doesn’t look as bad as I thought it might, but I’m not too impressed by it either. What do you think?
Outfit details:
dress: Marimekko (old) / cardigan: Esprit / bag: Marc Jacobs (old) /
shoes: Vans / sunglasses: Woobs (old)
Tiina
Do you like florals?
Linking up with:
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink, Not Dressed As Lamb, Living on Cloud Nine, Elegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , The Grey Brunette, Mutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva, Independent Fashion Bloggers
I think you look great! The dress is super cute. I don’t have many florals in my wardrobe either, not for any particular reason, I guess I just get more attracted to more abstract prints like you. I also like maxi dresses, I just think they’re more comfortable!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Thanks! Yes, maxi dresses are so comfortable and practical (sun protection!) I would love to find some abstract prints, though; I’ve seen lots of inspiration pictures on Instagram and Pinterest.
I really like the print and style of the dress but I sure understand about the length: I find it is easier to move about with extra length but I do enjoy the variety.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Thanks! I think there’s an ideal length: long enough to feel like a maxi dress but not so long that I stumble over it (I’m a bit short…). I like the look of knee-length dresses, but that would mean exposing my legs to sunlight. I don’t mind exposing my legs per se, I just hate wearing sun screen.
You look stunning and fabulous in this dress. You really should wear it more often. It’s so your tyle and colors.
Author
Thanks, Nicole! It was the colours that made me buy the dress (at least 3-4 years ago), I just loved them.
I’ve always loved florals but I think now that I’m old they make me look, even more, grannie-ish. Not in your case I love that outfit. Same goes for me and cardigans, although they are so useful I still have many. I prefer stripes or spots now to florals. You have all these problems ahead of you but I suppose you will overcome them.
Author
You’re so sweet.
I’ve never thought of age as something that determines the way I dress (body type, weight, height, yes, but not age). And I look forward to getting older and wearing exactly what I want. I see myself as an eccentric old lady wearing bold prints and colours. And I have plenty of role models, too: in Finland the dress code is very relaxed, and there are several mature celebrities (both men and women) with personal styles that would rival any 20-something fashionista.
But I see your point, sort of: there are certain types of florals that might give off that granny-vibe: the traditional, Laura Ashley type prints. I remember I had a dress that had this type of print. I wore it maybe twice. It was a pretty dress, and it didn’t make me look ‘old’ or anything. It just never felt right. I guess I’m just into more abstract florals.
You look great in that dress. The cardigan goes weill with it I think. I always have a problem with florals.. I don’t like the small florals and I don’t usually find the right size floral pattern that I feel comfortable wearing. It’s just me. I have become very picky lately about what I wear. My clothes are almost boring at this point. Lots of solid tops because I tend to not really find patterns that I will wear. Anyway, I think the dress you have on would be something I’d pick if I could find that. Enjoy your weekend! We are having rain every day except Monday (It’s our Memorial Day weekend). Lots of people will be disappointed in not being able to go to the beach. It’s chilly here too! Arlene from NJ
Author
Thank you Arlene.
I know what you mean: too small pattern and it feels, well, small… Is there such a thing as too big pattern, though? I think it takes a certain personality to feel comfortable wearing big patterns (I do). I’m quite picky about what I wear, too (the style, the colours, and don’t get me started on the materials…), that’s not a bad thing. You don’t need a huge wardrobe; you just a need a wardrobe that makes you feel good.
This is very atypical Marimekko pattern, but a very nice one and it suits you perfectly. Wearing patterns other than dots or stripes make me feel uncomfortable: they make me feel too much everything (noticeable and wide for starters). But you can definitely carry even the bolder patterns! -q
Author
Thank you. The dress is from a collection 4-5 years ago, so I’ve had it for a while.
Yes, I love my bold patterns. I’m quite short (160 cm), so I have to be loud and bold to be noticed. And, I admit, maybe I like to be noticed, too…
weird, for some reason I’ve always thought you are much taller. But anyways, prints and patterns are good if one likes them. -q
I love a big bold pattern! The dress looks amazing on you, you really suit it
Author
Thank you!
I love this Marimekko pattern, the colours are fab, and also love the cardigan with this dress, as the cold and warm pink shades work together, they don’t match but they go!. And I understand you very well about dresses lenght, I’m becoming a huge fan of maxi dresses, even if previously I thought they were unflattering on me.
I love a massive floral pattern, the bigger the better, but also love some ditsy florals, so I’m obviously a woman of extremes. I hated florals (and pink) for most of my life, and now I’m a huge fan of them, more extremes!
besos
(sorry that you’re having problems with Bloglovin)
Author
Thanks! I love this pattern, too. It is typical for Marimekko to use prints from their vast archive, so ‘old’ prints re-emerge every few years. It might be a while before they get back to this one though: this dress is maybe 4-5 years old, when this print played a dominant role in the collection.
Big florals and ditsy florals are fun, and that’s what we all need right now!
This is a great dress! I love the bolder pattern and the coral pink cardigan with it. I do love florals, but most are larger prints, as you mentioned.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Author
Thanks, Jess! Yes, larger prints look better. Of course, it depends on the person wearing the print, a stylish, bold woman can carry a larger print.
I think the different shades of pink work well together! that’s a lovely dress too! I usually prefer maxis for more coverage as well but it’s nice to have different options as well.
Thanks for joining the Weekday Wear Link Up!
Hope you have a great weekend ahead of you! It’s a fun one here with kids birthday parties 🙂
Mica – Away From The Blue
Author
Thanks, Mica! Yes, maxi dresses are more practical. But, as you said, it’s nice to have some options.
Did one of your children have a birthday party last weekend?
I really like these colors on you and the floral pattern of the Marimekko dresses are less florally and more geometric-ish anyway! This dress is really fun! And I have to admit that I am very likely as pale as you and stay that way all year long. I am bringing pale back into style though. We don’t tell darker skinned people that they should be lighter so I don’t like when the whole world thinks that pale people should make themselves darker. Can’t we all just happily be the color we are?! Sorry for that rant. It bugs me every time summer rolls around!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thanks!
Yes, exactly! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told to ‘get some colour’, to ‘get tanned’. My answer is usually that melanoma doesn’t look on anyone…
I think I have a post brewing inside of me on this exact topic! Stay tuned (hopefully I can get motivated enough to write it before summer is over)!
Shelbee