how to style vintage floral dresses for autumn

Flowery, modest, body-obscuring dresses have made a comeback in the fashion world. In the 70s, the success of Gunne Sax and Laura Ashley with their Victorian, handcraft-influenced patterns and flowing dresses rapidly spread the romantic aesthetic to younger women. The revival of comfortable, romantic dresses and fashion accessories in vintage prints is prominent this season. Further, I have listed styling tips on how to style vintage floral dresses for Autumn in a modern and contemporary way.

During a styling session with gorgeous Sarah Nicollier at The Shop At Bluebird, we styled a few looks featuring vintage floral dresses.

How to style vintage floral dresses for autumn?

The first outfit we styled was a Zimmerman midi dress in Victorian floral print. We opted for a romantic silhouette with retro lace trim and high-collar in pastel tones. With its ruffled collar and fluted sleeves, what’s not to love? To give a contemporary twist to the vintage blooms, we opted for chunky Balenciaga trainers.

Feel free to check out the latest Personal Stylist London Service by Deni Kiro

How to style your vintage floral dress for a smart occasion? Accessorizing with a headpiece and high boots will give a ladylike aesthetic to the dress. Opt for unconventional color combinations such as burgundy and pink. For the winter season, style it with a cream leather coat, burgundy boots, and sleek gold jewelry. For a night out, elevate the same look with pretty hair accessories and a snake print Bottega clutch.

When to Wear: Autumn | Winter | Spring

Where to Wear: The soft feminine silhouette and less-revealing proﬁle turn this dress into a perfect match for any occasion – from elevated daywear, weekend brunches, party, date night to weddings.

“Sugary tones and ditsy meet feminine high boots and splashes of gold for a grown-up take on autumn bohemian.”

The Victorian Maxi

The second vintage floral dress we picked was a maxi dress in a looser ﬁt from Nason London. To balance the maxi hemline, we layered a sumptuous Red Valentine marabou feather gilet. The feathers pick the baby blue tone from the floral print for a perfect tonal ensemble. From a styling perspective, I suggest tailoring the dress to a slightly cropped maxi length. This will allow styling the dress with flat boots. The cropped maxi length is much more versatile and wearable for every day. Opt for modern tailoring which you can style down with a pair of military boots and a leather jacket in late autumn.

When to Wear: Autumn | Spring | Summer

Where to Wear: Garden parties, spring & summer daywear, holidays, beach style, autumn evening style.

“Inject a little modern-day bohemian into your autumn dressing with vintage blooms. Wear dramatic botanical prints and moody hues styled with sumptuous feathers.”

Nason London Dress | Embelsihed leather Chelsea boots | Feather Gilet | Alexa Wang Snake Pumps

Romantic, vintage florals, boho, and maximalism are among the top looks connected to a feminine aesthetic, together with allusions to an emerging sense of female empowerment. It is evident that this “new” way of dressing vintage florals can also be a “romantic way” of empowering women.

Liking the feminine floral aesthetics but not sure how to make it work for you? Struggling to find a floral dress that fits perfectly? Contact me for personalized style advice or book a personal styling session where I can help you find your dream floral dress to compliment your body shape, complexion, and budget in as little as one hour.

Feel free to check out the latest Personal Stylist London Service by Deni Kiro

Check out more looks from the styling session with Sarah.

Photos: Lehel Kelemen

by Deni Kiro