How to Choose the Right Floral Pattern

Many of my personal styling clients have told me that they are scared of prints, so most of their closets are made up of solid colors (predominantly black, gray and white) with a sprinkle of polka dots and stripes. But did you know most people respond favorably to bright, cheerful colors and prints when they meet someone for the first time? I think our fear of judgement makes us choose the "safe and easy" route of solid colors. However, color blocking your body with a solid color top, bottom (usually denim) and shoes actually draws more attention to areas women feel self-conscious of such as their chest, waist and thighs.

But I also know that shopping for a print can be quite difficult, especially in the spring when the floral patterns are plentiful and you don't know which one to choose. Instead, we end up with several options in our dressing room and feeling frustrated because they all seem to look as if they are wearing us and not the other way around.

1. Eliminate your choices by sticking to colors you like on yourself. If you're not sure what you think looks best on you, ask your spouse, best friend or mom. With my olive complexion, I have found that purples, corals and teals look great. This royal blue floral dress is one of my favorites. The purple tones are very complimentary.

2. After you have found some clothes in the color palette you prefer; you can further narrow your options based on the shape and construction. For me, halter tops are very flattering because I have a fuller chest. I'm also very tall so maxi dresses are easy for me to wear without appearing pregnant.

3. Now it's time to choose your print...If you have a fuller figure and you are nervous about feeling like a walking floral bouquet, don't! Prints often disguise a lot of extra curves, but stick to smaller prints like the one I'm wearing.

Photos by Kym Ventola; dress from Macy's