When was the last time someone gently hugged you and said "Ooh, you smell so good! What are you wearing?" It happened to me just the other day and I was so thrilled, I couldn't remember which of my two perfumes I splashed on that morning. Unfortunately, both bottles are close to empty, so I'm on a mission to find a new scent for spring. It's not easy to choose a lovely fragrance that will be universally admired and enjoyed.

  

I usually don't wear floral perfumes but now that this horrible winter has finally ended, I am seriously considering something like rose water and glycerin. Is that too matronly? What about gardenias? Maybe that would be better. I just learned that there are certain tulips that are beautifully fragrant (check out this website) but I've never heard of tulip perfume. Have you?

 

The tulips of Amsterdam in spring 2014

 

And I am not the only one craving flower power this spring. Floral prints abound throughout the fashion world, this season. Some are splendidly artistic and have been modified and modernized for the fabrics of today. Many designers have tastefully and skillfully combined vibrant colors with some pretty pastels and the results are pure pleasure.

    

Wearing floral prints, however, can be tricky. You need to know your own personal style (are you romantic, dramatic, classic, etc.) and just how much print your body can handle. I love dresses, but I accept that I can accommodate only a partial print . . . like a floral skirt or top with a solid jacket or vest, or a cute pair of flowery pumps. It's not a matter of age, but rather it's about body size. Oh, and please wear just one floral piece at a time. Like a table, one centerpiece is plenty. And do combine a floral piece with a stripe, a look that's very "of the moment". I'm loving the floral blouse and striped purse from JCrew.com shown below.  

  

 

 

So what's wrong with wearing a floral print dress you ask? Nothing except it's more shriek than chic on my body. But everyone is different and someone who is slim on both the top and the bottom like Marisa Berenson (former model and Vogue cover girl circa 1970) can pull it off in a heartbeat. 

 

Even though Marisa is very mature (boomer speak for my age), the print she chose does not look matronly. It also flatters her extremely slim silhouette. Hard to believe, but the outfit on the right was reported to be the runway inspiration for Marisa's dress. Really? Check out the fishnet hose and heavy dark shoes on the model as compared to the light kitten heels and sheer hose (possibly bare legs?) on Marisa. No contest, Marisa. You win.

 

  harpers bazaar.com 

 

When you are shopping, please note that if a floral print is done well, the larger flowers are strategically placed. We do not need to see two gigantic roses one on each breast; or two big fat daffodils one on each hip. 

 

The devil is in the details, my friends, and the devil is lurking in many a retail establishment these days. We must be savvy and we must be vigilant. But above all, we must stop and smell those gorgeous roses.

 

Happy Spring!

Nancy

PS. Mother's Day is coming soon and as my beloved Mom would have said "A Nancy gift certificate would be a swell idea". 

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