092/ AMA: Your Spring Styling Questions - Part 2
How to wear florals as a minimalist + styling troublesome pieces + suggestions for going out tops, hats, and more.
Hello readers,
I’m back with Part 2 of our spring styling AMA!
In Part 1, I covered 13 of the questions you left in the chat thread, including:
“adding visual interest to warmer weather outfits which are typically more pared back”
“casual spring jackets other than trenches”
“the one shoe style to modernize existing pieces”
“how to move away from black”
Today, I’ll be covering 13 more. There were a few questions I wasn’t able to answer because I needed more information from you. If that’s you, please reach out to me in the chat, and we’ll continue the conversation there.
Here we go!
“Incorporating floral pieces into a minimalist wardrobe”
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“Incorporating colour and/or florals when your safe colours are black, white, navy and cream”
It’s great that you’re experimenting with prints and colours! Is it fair to say that florals and colours can feel “too much” for your minimalist sensibilities?
For colours, it’s pretty easy to find pieces with clean, modern lines that fit your aesthetic. The collage above has good examples of them, and the outfits show that they pair seamlessly with the typical non-basic basics of a minimalist wardrobe.
It’s harder to find minimalist floral pieces as they tend to lean more maximalist and romantic. If that doesn’t feel like you, try using my lever system to tone down the drama and twee factor. For example, contrast delicate florals against utilitarian pieces or “ugly” shoes. Use your foundational, non-basic basics to bring the overall vibe to an equilibrium you feel comfortable with.
“I would love recommendations on going out tops/outfits. I am in my forties and struggle often with what to wear to dinners/dates/evening activities.”
— and —
“yes to this! especially for fancier work events (awards ceremony type things) in the (nyc) design industry where you may only go to a few a year but often see the same people at them all. i feel like i have the skirts and shoes to mix and match but tops have been quite the struggle the past few years.”
First thought: even for fairly dressy occasions, don’t underestimate the power and versatility of the classic button-up dress shirt! When in doubt, refer to Sharon Stone’s 1998 Oscar outfit:
Sharon levered the hell of out her husband’s GAP button-up shirt to make it Oscar-worthy, pairing it with a full-length Vera Wang satin skirt, strappy heels, jewellery, and a red lip.
My main suggestion is to try a black (or other neutral) top made from a refined fabric, with interesting lines and structural details like draping, ruching, corseting, etc. All of the tops below make a statement as a standalone piece, while also being versatile enough to be worn across a range of social situations when paired with jeans, trousers, or even a dramatic taffeta skirt. Your shoes, jewellery, and bags are additional tools to lever the outfit in the direction you want it to go: