Plus Size Trend Alert: Grandma Floral Print Pants

Harper’s Bazaar, W Magazine, Vogue Paris and many other fashion gods noted that florals- and especially those with a vintage charm- are a staple part of the Spring 2018 wardrobe. However this glitter bomb, must argue the retro print floral pants are are the very forefront of this trend. Let’s talk about why.

Floral Dresses and Shirts Aren’t New

Trends by definition, represent a change in direction from the norm. Floral print blouses, skirts and dresses- while still very much en vogue- have been around a very long awhile. They also aren’t going anywhere. They’re basically a staple and can be found in some variation in nearly every woman’s wardrobe. The prints may change season to season, but I think over the last 30 years it’s been pretty easy to find any of these pieces in a floral print. But floral pants? Unless you’re a vintage fan or shop retro forward brands, you probably would have been hard pressed to find a well cut trouser in a bright floral up until recently.

How to Rock Floral Pants: The Basics

Now sometimes floral pants get a bad rep. People call them grandma-y or frumpy. Oh hell no. Floral pants can be modern, edgy and chic.  The easiest way to rock a bold floral print pant is to pair it with tailored solids that highlight various tones in the pant. Here I’ve taken these rad 1960s inspired daisy print plus size pants from Modcloth and paired them with a light pink, long line blouse from New Look (no longer available, similar style linked), knotted at the waist. To add a touch of pizazz to the top, I buttoned the collar of the shirt all the way up and wore pearl chain necklace around it- I call this my jewelry bow tie. Lastly,  I accentuated the teal in the pants with this architecturally styled coat from Eloquii (no longer available, similar style linked) and I drew out the burgundy tones in the print with a cute wine colored heel.

How to Rock Floral Pants: Advanced

For more advanced fancy pants action, try pairing two different florals in similar hues together.  You can take the same approach with any print- even stripes. I personally am loving some of the stripe and floral pairings I have been seeing floating around on the internet. Maybe it’s because I just love any excuse to put more colors on my body at once. Yep, it’s probably that.

My Favorite Floral Pants

To make rocking some sexy grandma floral action easier on you, I’ve rounded up my favorite pantaloons in bloom below. Click the images to shop.

I earn commissions on some of these links that helps support my content creation.

 

How to Rock The Velvet In-Between

Velvet or Velour is one of those weird fabrics that seems to only to live at the polar ends of the dressing spectrum. It’s either pieces fit for pajama lounge time or its found in elegant gowns and fancy waistcoats. Until this season, that is. Playful in-between velvet items have been popping up all over the place and I couldn’t help but share a few looks to inspire you all to look at velvet a little bit differently.

Urban Cool

This fun and functional Torrid velvet skirt adds a kick of sass to this awesome ‘Thick Hunny” t-shirt from Luella. Thrown on with my favorite gold sneakers (similar) and a pair of classic gold oversized earrings, this outfit is your go to for casual cool.

Romantic Country

One might argue that a velvet dress is automatically formal. I say, “NAY.” The tiered seams of this Simply Be velvet dress add a low key feel, while the black boots  from Modcloth add a slight nod to the current equestrian trend.  Velvet can be heavy, so to keep this look visually light, I added a gold accent belt (similar) for definition and my favorite black tassel earrings from amazon.

Eccentric Indie

I love this Modcloth pinafore because it’s such a unique use of velvet and matures a clothing item that is often reserved for children. I paired it with fun striped trumpet sleeve shirt I snagged at Primark in the UK (only available in store) and some comfy ballet inspired flats from Target. It’s a 3 piece look that is anything but simple.

Other Great Velvet Items


Here are some other great unexpected velvet pieces that might be fun to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe.

Rule Breaker? No. I Just Wear What I Want

People tell me all the time things I shouldn’t wear- often before I’ve tried it on. This patterned skirt is a great example of something many people warned me not to wear. It’s light colored. It’s vertical print. It’s short. In some sort of plus size fashion rule book, that is stored in a very secret box, that only the pure in heart can access, whose words are now passed through our society through verbal storytelling by judgemental people, it says this. In any case, that book is very very old. It probably references bloomers. And cod pieces.  And chastity belts.  And Isn’t it about time we got a rewrite?So, ancient rule book be damned! I bought the skirt anyways. Not to  be controversial. Not to make a statement. I bought it because it looked like a sweater I had purchased Data for the winter and I wanted us to match. It’s funny because often times people think I wear things for the shock value, but most of the time its because of one of 3 things: I think its it’s pretty, I can match my dog or it’s outside my comfort zone and I want to challenge myself to make it work.

As a plus size women there’s all this meaning put behind usually meaningless decisions. I need to wear clothes. I buy clothes I like. I wear those clothes. While usually I am wearing what I like and what spoke to me that day, the world sometimes interprets it into a grand statement.  I’m brave or bold. I’ve broken the antiquated rules. I went out of the house with something that actually shows the shape of my body .  In my heart of heart I can’t wait until the day when my fashion sense is praised without the caveat that I’m plus or body positive or wearing something society says I shouldn’t. How about just- ” this girl is wearing a cool outfit.” That would be nice. I’d like that.

Today my be rule breaker look is composed of a Simply Be black sweater and royal blue fitted puffer I was gifted. They are worn with a New Look mini skirt I purchase in London, worn over Maurice’s leggings and accented with a vintage scarf. I threw on the best leather wide calf boots ever from Torrid to complete the look.  Data is wearing a geometric sweater from Amazon.

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Stripe Me Up, I’m Just Too Darn Cool

Stripe Me Up, I’m Just Too Darn Cool

Today was my ode to the relaxed cool girl look. Look at me wearing a cute dress with sneakers and a denim jacket- I am so damn cool. I wanted to be comfy, but I also wanted to look like I kind of made an effort. You know, in that “single mom back on the market going to the grocery store looking for produce… and new love”   kind of way. The layering of the floral mesh over the dress was a massive experiment and I’m beyond pleased with how it worked out. I love how some of the florals pop bright with the layer of hot coral behind them. Hot Coral, such an excellent band name. We could wear crowns made of seashells and the drummer could wear a  rainbow neck-brace with streamers that makes him look like a jellyfish. Clearly, I need a vacation… Outfit details after this adorable photo break.The striped hot coral dress is from Torrid, and also easily converts to a tube dress. It’s a nice little spring/summer essential. The ruffled floral mesh overlay is from New Look and I’ve knotted it just below the bust line to define my waist. This jean jacket is the only proof in my wardrobe that I am a successful crafter; I took an old Torrid denim jacket and hand painted the design on the back. My earrings were purchased in India, my sneakers from Nike (here’s a great gold sneaker alternative), and my glasses as a last minute splurge from Ashley Stewart.

Elegant Little Details

Elegant Little Details

When it gets hot, I don’t like wearing anymore on my body then I physically have to. So I pretty much give up all accessories, except for bold earrings that dangle away from my body and provide absolutely no extra heat.
I also say goodbye to most my make up. I basically commit to an entire season of waterproof mascara that’s proven itself to me that it can handle my excessive forehead sweat. Because by the time summer hits, my hair line is like a salty sprinkler or body fluid grossness. So when I shop for Austin’s 9 month summer, I cherish little details. Its the little flourishes that make something basic special; I can wear something light and airy but still feel fashion forward and hip.This look is the perfect example of this fashion shift. The scallop edge on these shorts from Torrid add a playful and happy twist to a basic ponte bottom. Also, they don’t show sweat, which is good because only Billy Madison can make looking like you peed your pants cool. The top is from Universal Standard and is beyond luxe. The fabric is butter and light, while also structured and crisp. The shoulder cutout gives just the right amount of pizazz, while creating an oddly useful vent. Get in here breeze… Get. In. Here.True to my typical spring swag I busted out these amazing colorful earrings I found on amazon while I was a lil tipsy. I wore a pair of fun Sam Edelman flats, relying on the print for flair and the style for comfort. There not available anymore, but I like this alternative.  Last I lobbed on my vintage inspired coach bag and a random few bangles and I was ready to run errands like a sunshine-fueled goddess.

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