Menswear doesn’t get along very well with floral shirts. Not because of the absurd limitations on what a man should or shouldn’t wear, but because floral shirts are traditionally tied to 80s Hawaiian shirts sold as souvenirs in summer resorts with cocktail in hand and straw hat. This unfortunately led to the production of a large quantity of rainbow-colored floral shirts, with an uncomfortable and narrow cut, sometimes with buttons and “extravagant” contrasting seams.
Yet a good floral shirt is the perfect way to introduce some whimsy into your wardrobe. But how to wear it correctly?
How to wear floral shirts
First of all, to choose a floral shirt it’s not important to be able to distinguish geraniums from carnations – just avoid excessive prints. The simplest, micro-floral prints are the ones that can be used more easily in a look. If you are afraid of crossing the threshold of the house and being combined with the garden of the house, just stick to a print that is unique all over the garment, with one or two colors maximum and balance it with other simpler elements of the look that are in blocks of color. And if you want to be even more cautious, create your outfit with multiple layers to make the shirt just a small piece of your whole look.
And if despite this the idea of using a floral shirt still puts you in doubt, I recommend the most delicate combination possible: a floral shirt worn under a jacket. By opting for a shirt with a neutral base and a pattern that highlights the color of the blazer, you can create a very simple but effective contrast. Just stay on the same shades: mixing and matching different shades of the same color is a simple and modern way to dress and there is no reason why a floral shirt cannot be part of it.
What I’m wearing:
Shirt: ASOS DESIGN
Blazer: H&M
Pants: COS
Sneakers: SUPERGA x PAURA