Get Ahead of This Fall Fashion Trend: Crafty Florals, Straight From the Paris Runways

Florals blanketed the runways at Dries Van Noten, Vionnet and Carven—but they aren’t your ordinary florals— these crafty versions shown in cold-weather ensembles are waking me out of my winter blues.

Dries Van Noten kicked off Paris Fashion Week with a collection that hinted toward many of his greatest hits. Think 1930s silhouettes and bright, unexpected color combinations like fuchsia and marigold yellow. My favorite elements were the lily prints and raised decals. Talk about a way to spice up your classic men’s overcoat!

Later last night, Vionnet opened the fall show with a strapless dress that felt almost weightless despite its heavy felted wool fabric and layered construction. Its long panels of wool were stiff enough to flow outward from the body, giving this dress a whimsical feel. Combine this with the single flower cutout, and the stemlike bright celadon green panels and we are left with a warm and wintery evening dress complete with a crafty floral message.

Known for uber-cute outerwear, usually in a 1970s silhouette (think the perfect shrunken peacoat), Carven designer Guillaume Henry showed mixed florals in his classic winter shapes. Take this coat and dress combination: they work together because the periwinkle in each piece matches the other. The pattern continues on the dress with yellow details whereas the coat only has a shadow outline of the print. The artsy details are only visible if you look closely but were definitely given significant thought in the designer’s process. Try a bold floral statement in your outerwear next winter’ it’s a great way to spice up a winter uniform of wooly tights and a LBD!