Hi everyone, I hope that you are doing amazing! This is the second (and final) outfit I had the opportunity to shoot while I was down in Ocean City on vacation with my family. The day we took these photos, it was a little gloomy outside. It even rained for a second but quickly cleared. Luckily, the spotty weather worked to our advantage – the beautiful walking path and private bayside beach area in our neighborhood were empty. We got to explore and take in the sites at our own pace, which was such a relaxing way to kick off the day.
On our walk, I absolutely adored all of the bright flowers and hydrangea bushes dotted along the path. In my mind, nothing beats a really good floral – especially on clothes. I love everything about them: Florals are feminine, versatile, and timeless. You can be sure that (pretty much) any floral piece of clothing you pick up, you’ll be able to wear it for years to come without looking dated. Of course that depends, too, on the cut of the clothing and some other factors, but the pattern itself is always in style.
Lately, I’ve been into smaller, more delicate florals. You can find them basically everywhere right now as we head into the tail end of summer dressing. I’ve picked up a few pieces over the past couple of months, including the tie-back dress and structured bag I am wearing here. Not only do I think they make a wonderful summer outfit, but I am excited to incorporate them as part of my transition wardrobe as fall approaches.
There are so many different ways that you can wear floral patterns. You can keep it simple by letting the pattern shine as the center of attention, leaving your accessories and shoes neutral or understated. Or, if you are feeling daring, you can mix two floral patterns together, as I have done here.
The key to mixing patterns is to choose two items that compliment each other rather than compete with each other. They don’t have to match perfectly, but they should “go” together. Select pieces that are similar colors and tones (such as blue and green – or keep it chic by choosing two patterns in a simple tan or blush). You don’t want to choose colors that will clash.
Also, spend some time thinking about the size and style of your patterns. The floral pattern on my dress is extremely close to the floral pattern on my bag. You don’t have to choose two florals that are identical, but picking ones that are similar makes pairing them together easier and more streamlined.
Typically when mixing patterns, you want some sort of visual break between the two items so that the outfit is pleasing to the eye. This keeps you from looking like you got dressed in the dark, especially when you are mixing patterns with a top and a bottom. Sometimes this comes in the form of a neutral belt, jacket or sweater. However in the case of this dress (and other floral mini dresses), you don’t need to worry about adding anything extra to create harmony in your outfit.
Because my second pattern is in the form of a handbag that’s held away from my body, that visual break is built right into the outfit. That’s why I recommend that if you are hesitant about combining patterns or if it’s your first time trying, you should experiment with a handbag and a dress. It’s not too much to think about all at once, but it still results in a fun and interesting outfit.
I wanted to showcase the adorable tie back detail the dress has, so I just tossed my hair up in a quick ponytail. Beyond how cute the dress looks paired with another floral, I absolutely love how comfortable it is. After taking these photos, my family and I went to get something to eat and spent the day playing cards. It was honestly like wearing pajamas, but a lot more put-together. I finished the look off with some pearl sandals and butterfly statement earrings.
I have included more of my favorite florals below!
Tiered Midi Dress
I love Reformation’s midi dresses, especially the linen ones. They’re such great quality, and I think this one in particular would be perfect for end-of-summer brunch outings or a picnic at the park. I think it would be great come fall too, with sneakers or boots and a leather jacket.
Tie Back Babydoll Dress
This adorable mini dress with a smocked top and puff sleeves is on my wish-list! It is another one that I think will be amazing when cooler weather starts to roll in. The sleeves are just darling, and anything that smocked is like having built-in tailoring. It perfectly adjusts to your body.
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