Floral's New Groove

Ever since Karl Lagerfeld pronounced a death sentence for florals ("Florals are for middle-aged women with weight problems"), they've been in dire need of some serious updating. The new way for spring? Stripes add a much-needed shot of vitality and unpredictability to florals, simultaneously complementing and modernizing them. The catch? Don't get too crazy. Stick with one floral and one stripe, or else you run the risk of looking like a zebra who was eaten by a tiger, which then fell asleep in a botanical garden - no one wants to wear that. Secondly, make sure the stripes are neutral as possible. Black and white is tried and true, but feel free to experiment with navy and cream or grey and white. Keep accessories sparse and well-edited: if you can hear your jewelry, take it off. Personally, I'm partial to opposites; think teeny-tiny flower prints (think Liberty of London) paired with thicker stripes, or larger, graphic florals against thin stripes with spare details. Give this fairly simple trend a go, regardless of the Kaiser's opinion.

-Deanna