Flower Power, With Better Taste
29th July 2026
Florals are fashion’s perennial summer promise. Every year they return, usually accompanied by the suggestion that they are somehow groundbreaking. This season, however, the garden has had a rather sophisticated redesign. Instead of predictable prints, flowers arrive ruched, embroidered, laser-cut and appliquéd, bringing texture and dimension to destination dressing.
Maygel Coronel makes a persuasive case for florals by the pool. The Colombian label’s sculpted swimwear uses ruching and three-dimensional blooms to frame the body, turning a swimsuit into something that deserves far more than a supporting role. Add a sweeping skirt, oversized sunglasses and suitably excellent sandals, and it is ready for lunch without the usual cover-up negotiations.
At SIR., the approach is cleaner but no less considered. Laser-cut floral motifs give skirts and separates an intricate finish while retaining the label’s characteristic ease. Style them with a simple halterneck top by day, then add gold jewellery and a small evening bag when the sun goes down.
SIMKHAI takes the idea somewhere more romantic. Floral appliqué and delicate embroidery bloom across dresses and skirts, creating pieces that feel made for summer weddings, candlelit dinners and any invitation requiring a little more effort than linen. They are decorative, certainly, but never overly precious.
Then there is ROTATE, whose lace dresses and separates offer a sharper take on femininity. The trick is to avoid treating lace too politely. Pair it with strong accessories, sleek hair and a confident shoe.
The message is clear: summer florals no longer need to sit quietly in the background. Wear them poolside, after dark or down the aisle, preferably with all petals intact.
