Spring/Summer is fresh, flirty and FLORAL – but it’s also stylishly masculine in amongst all the sweet smelling flowers and light shades of pink!

This season, the botanical theme that has been a major contestant for the number one print of S/S’12 has now been extended to Males.
So although largely associated with females, it’s no longer restricted to silk dresses or pretty tank tops – but instead has fiercely formed a male following by showing itself on shorts and shirts too!

No as scary as this might sound to some of you – bare with me!

Don’t react just yet, instead read on and let me further convince you of why this trend is here to stay!

One of the biggest designer advocates of the floral pattern trend for SS12 is Prada.

Their advertising campaign used talented (and lustworthy!) actor Michael Pitt as the model (ABOVE), and layered him with a superbly captivating amount of floral – needless to say it didn’t diminish his manly appeal by any means!
Floral patterns not only adorned Prada’s shirts – the print also made its way onto shorts and even full length trousers in playful pastel pinks, oranges and greens.
Now if Michael Pitt doesn’t convince you that floral isn’t the fashionable way forward for the style mavericks among you, then I don’t know what will – and I’ll let you stop reading here.

But for those interested in how to translate this trend from Pradas glossy campaigns to the street I have a couple of tips for you…

Firstly look for florals that have unusual tones to them.
Dare the pastales and the pinks if you feel you have the personality for it – but for those who need to approach florals in a more masculine way – gravitate towards this seasons blues or orange notes.  This way, you’ll keep with the print, but in a way that obviously set’s you apart from your female companions.

Another way to define floral as more of a manly print is to go bold and strong!
Counteract the softness that florals are traditionally known for and try wearing a print that defines the botanical motif as something that is as visually powerful as camo for example.  Go for sharp angles, clear lines and graphic shapes.

Whatever way suits you best, wearing florals is all about the boldness of ones character – wear the style that best suits you personal flavour!