If there’s one fashion quote that resurfaces every spring, it’s Miranda Priestly’s famously dry “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking”, from The Devil Wears Prada.
For Spring/Summer 2026, florals are evolving into a cool yet elegant print, as luxury stylist Oriona Robb notes, “there’s a refusal to be sweet for sweetness’s sake”, this season.
From sculptural blooms to painterly prints, here’s how to wear florals for 2026.
Applique florals
“What struck me across the Spring 2026 shows was how three-dimensional the (floral) trend has become,” says Robb.
Designers like Dior and Chanel showcased everything from sculpted rosettes to applique blooming camellias.
“The flower wears you now, not the other way around,” she laughs.
The key to making it work, Robb says, is to keep everything else simple. A statement rosette top with tailored trousers or an embroidered jacket over a slip dress allows the texture to take centre stage without overwhelming the look.
Read more: Sole statement: Sculptural heels, bold boots steal the fashion spotlight
Floral hair accessories
Floral hair accessories are back, but this time, they’re more high-end as opposed to festival-ready.
At Annie’s (formerly Annie’s Ibiza) Autumn/Winter 2026 runway, undone up dos were paired with bold blooms, while Dior opted for spherical hydrangeas hanging as earrings.
“The key word is textured,” says Robb, “They should feel nestled into the hair, not fighting against it.”
The golden rule is restraint. One accessory is enough, says Robb, and if your outfit already features florals, skip them altogether.
Think of it as you would jewellery, “subtle and there to frame the face rather than dominate it”, she says.
Abstract and painterly prints
While large and sprawling florals seemed to dominate the runways last year, this season abstract florals are taking over, with blurred, painterly patterns seen at Chloe and Zimmermann.
“There’s something more interesting about a floral that makes you question it,” says Robb, who adds that this style is easier to wear if you don’t usually opt for florals.
Painterly prints offer a more subtle and sophisticated take on florals.
Grunge florals
“A floral needs something working against it to feel cool,” says Robb.
Florals, she says, can sometimes veer into overly sweet territory, particularly with smaller, ditsy prints, but introducing contrast a la Nineties grunge can help edge them up.
That could mean layering a romantic dress over a plain white T-shirt, or pairing it with something unexpected like a sharp loafer or a worn-in boot.
Another standout this season is the “dark rose” trend – “black-on-black florals or deep, moody tones”, explains Robb.
Designers like Richard Quinn and Alexander McQueen have leaned into this more gothic take, offering a more grown-up approach to the trend.
Read more: Big leg energy: Loved by celebrities, the barrel pants fashion trend endures
Pick-n-mix florals
Colour is what truly makes florals appear on-trend or slightly dated. And while the grunge approach is trending, the dominating colour palette this spring is pick-n-mix pastels.
Chalky lavender, dusty sage and sky blue are continuing to be a floral favourite – but where the pick-n-mix element comes in is down to the bold, juxtaposing shades.
Lime green, turquoise, cobalt blue and hot pink are bringing a dopamine hit to the trend.
Robb’s advice is to commit to one colour group. “Pick your flower and your palette... stick to it.”
Her standout combinations include green with lilac and black with a flash of fuchsia – two colour combinations that were huge on the runway. – dpa
