Can Florals Be Sexy?
So often, florals have connotations of girliness, of cuteness and of innocence and for that reason, a lot of women avoid them, (not me, I have always loved them, something evident in both my closet and on my Instagram). With that in mind, perhaps a better question is “Can wearing florals make one feel womanly, sensual and desirable?
It’s almost a divisive print; often loved or hated, and yes, there’s no question a ditsy print runs the risk of making the wearer look twee especially if the item of clothing has ruffles or flounces, so a strong, bold print in a maximum of two or three colours is better. If any item of clothing can be scaled down to fit a child, then by definition, it can’t also be womanly- something to bear in mind. A dress needn’t be fitted or tight to look sexy or sensuous though. Something that skims the body, hinting at the shape beneath is just as powerful. I adore the draping on this dress. The midi-length is modest but the split stops it from looking too safe. The roses and fluttery sleeves reflect my romantic nature but the red catches the eye. It whispers of a grown-up, knowing, womanly sensuality.
Keeping It Simple
My dress is strong enough, confident enough and independent enough to stand on her own two feet, so I kept everything else simple. My favourite bright red lipstick was essential, (how could I not match my lips to the roses?) so I kept my eyes understated. I didn’t add jewellery so not to detract from the shape, especially the neckline, of the dress, I wore fabulous shoes, grown-up shoes, but simple ones.
It’s all about balance.
Of course, there’s much more to feeling sensual and attractive than just an outfit. Attitude and how one feels inside makes all the difference, as does the person or people we are with. THAT determines which of our personae we present. I wore this dress to dinner with my boyfriend Ian during our seaside escape to Scarborough. My persona as a girlfriend is very different to that of me as a mother or as a friend or daughter or sister and I think it’s clear to see in my body language that it was he who took these photographs. He makes me feel beautiful whatever I’m wearing which is something to be treasured. I’m different when one of my teenagers takes my photographs, (not least because they want to get it done as quickly as possible, such is their fear of being seen in public photographing me), but isn’t it such a privilege to be different things to different people; to be a woman of many faces?
So perhaps the answer to the question “Can florals be sexy?” is “Yes. If you want them to be”
Love Lizzy x
PS
-You can read about our weekend in Scarborough (which is when we took these photographs.)
-You can see me wearing this dress in a different print when I was in London with my blogging friends.
-And you can see these shoes with the outfit I to the Chelsea Flower show.
I’m wearing:
*Wren’s Wonderland rose print midi wrap dress, ยฃ88, Alice’s Pig
*High heeled sandals, tomato and black, MADELEINE ยฃ159.95
*Akina multi-floral leather clutch bag, ยฃ69.99, Lotus Shoes
Disclosure:
*These items were gifted. My opinions are always 100% honest and the content is always my own. Thank you for supporting those brands that support What Lizzy Loves.
Photographs:
Taken by Ian at Ox Pasture Hall Country Hotel, Scarborough.
I’m linking up with:
I Will Wear What I Like/ Brilliant Blog Posts/The Saturday Share
For more of What Lizzy Loves, please follow on Instagram and Facebook
16 comments
Absolutely ๐ And you show it Lizzy! This outfit is gorgeous ๐ Dress is perfect and the sandals … awesome ๐ Have a great week-end!
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/back-from-vancouver/
Thank you so much! You have a lovely weekend too xxx
Florals are very sexy on you Lizzy! You look great!
Thank you Gail. I felt great too which makes all the difference xxx
Be confident is the best way to wear florals. Or anything else.
(And i am just in love with the floral green skirt (the happiest one !!)
Exactly! Confidence is key to everything isn't it. And thank you for the lovely compliment about the skirt. It really is a happy skirt!!! xxx
This dress was MADE FOR YOU. I love the asymmetry. I love the colours, and it is romantic in a fierce way, not in a girly way at all. You absolutely rock this. It needs someone tall and gorgeous like you to wear it properly. Please tell me you wore this on a date night?? xx
Thank you so much Lisa. I love that- fiercely romantic! I think I that's a much more fitting description of me than sexy!!! And yes…I sure did xxxxxx
That close-up shot of you and the rose is definitely a more sultry side to you Lizzy! I always think of you as coming across as very sweet and approachable in your blog photos, someone I could chat to without fear, and develop an easy friendship with. It's nice to see you from a slightly different perspective, the drape on that dress is just divine on you. I agree that florals (or anything else for that matter) can be sexy if they give you confidence to be sexy. Why the hell not? Being sexy was out of fashion for so long, I for one welcome the return of sexiness and glamour to the catwalks. It's okay to be a grown-up! x
That's exactly it! Being a grown-up woman with everything that encompasses: motherhood, work, romance, friendships. I don't think I could ever look out and out sexy and nor do I want to, but it's nice to feel fiercely romantic as Lisa said above!!! xxxx
Well I think we can all agree you made your point Liz. Ahem you sexy minx๐It's a bit like that line from When Harry Met Sally "I'll have what she's having" xx
Hee Hee!!!!! Thank you!!!! xxxxxxx
Ooh la la, Lizzy! C'est tres sexy!! You look absolutely beautiful and yes, I think you can tell that the person behind the camera is someone you're in love with!
Absolutely beautiful in every way, my friend <3
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Thank you Suzy. Thank you so much and yes. I don't hide it very well do I? Poker-face I'm not!!! xxxx
Oh my. This dress has got everything I love. Big vintage-y floral print, the color red, flowy fabric and a 1930s vibe. And a sarong like skirt is always figure flattering. Shows off the curves in an understated way. Makes me think of Dorothy Lamour, who was one of the sexiest women in film in her floral print sarongs.
Theresa
http://www.vintagestylefiles.com
Thank you so much Theresa, yes, there is a lovely vintage feel to the style and print. That's such a lovely way of describing the skirt- a sarong. I hadn't thought of it in that way but it really is! xxx