Val's View: Florals in Florida

Flower Power

Flowers symbolize everything from love and romance to freedom and fragility. According to London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 94% of the world’s known plants produce flowers. I have always been fascinated by the delicate scent and regal feeling they bring to mind. Living in Florida, I indulge in wearing florals all year- it reminds me of the promise of spring in the land of endless summer. I can't help but feel feminine in a floral print and never pass up an opportunity to enjoy and spread the cheer they give. My motto is to put a little nature in your day, so what better way than with flowery clothing?

Photo by Scott Elkins on Unsplash

Behind the Botanicals

Some of the most fascinating associations with blossoms go back to ancient times. The love of flowers has been around for millennia, and the art of making medicines from them has been practiced since antiquity. The Greek word for tansy is athanasia, which means immortality. This perennial is from the aster family and was once a medicinal and culinary herb in Europe. It stands for good health, protection, and hope.

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Fresh Femininity

Victor Hugo said, “life is the flower for which love is the honey.” The purity and ephemeral energy of flowers are part of the reason we admire and covet the gorgeous pistons and petals. The orange blossom, Florida's state flower, is equated with fertility. Cleopatra filled her living quarters with rose petals in an effort to have Marc Antony think of her every time he smelled a rose. The sunflower is said to be sunshine for our souls. As a peace offering or a celebration, flowers can be enjoyed and bring special meaning to life.

Luxurious Florals to Wear

How do you pull off the right balance of fashionable floral prints? Start by scaling the size to flatter your proportions. Place the florals where you want the attention. The general guideline is that oversized or larger prints give the impression of a greater surface. A medium floral print works on most body types. Smaller ditsy florals tend to minimize and the eye-popping effervescence is easy to wear. I get complimented when I wear my Floral Denim Lounge Ankle Pant by Oli and Sofia. I love these pants because they feel whimsical and the relaxed fit works great for my lifestyle. For my sportier side, the Twilight Garden UPF50+ Long Sleeve Dress by Coconut Row with the mock neckline and mesh sleeve undersides keeps me cool and dry for dance class, tennis, or bike rides. Flowers can bloom in the first light so the Shana Apparel Mellow Garden Burnout Godet Dress with wildflowers is a wonderful way to greet the new dawn.

Photo by Cristina Anne Costello on Unsplash

Finest Floret

The flowers I tend to gravitate towards are both festive and delicate. The peony and the cherry blossom are my top two favorites. Since both of these are not available year-round, I go for a clean white orchid that lasts much longer. And then there’s the resilient lotus that literally grows in mud and retreats at night to rebloom each morning. I would like to emulate that tenacity. Life will give us quandaries, no doubt, but the optimism of wearing flowers can spread joy and hope wherever you go. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “the Earth laughs in flowers.”

What do you like to grow in your garden? Do you have a green thumb or just a penchant to enjoy florals? Tell us which flowers are your favorite in the comments below!