What to Look For in a Floral Top In-Between Summer and Fall

When I saw this blue and brown Liberty floral top, I fell in love. The puff sleeves intimidated me a little bit at first, so I slept on it. A few days later, I just kept thinking about it, so I ordered! Once it arrived, I was even more smitten than when I first locked eyes on it. I think it might be my favorite floral top of all time?! What initially drew me to the top, was how I could picture myself wearing it in August all the way through October and then some. Florals can be very seasonal, so I thought I would share a few tips on what to look for in a floral top that transitions seamlessly from Summer to Fall. Before I dive in, I wanted to share a little bit about the fit and feel of the top!

I don’t think I have anything I would change about this top. At first glance, it has a lot going on. Puff sleeves, a ruffle and a smocked collar. How would it work with my curves? Well, the moment I put it on, it all just clicked and I fell in LOVE. The sleeves aren’t very dramatic, especially if you have broader shoulders like I do. I could tell from the silhouette that there would be generous space in the arms and midsection, so I went ahead and ordered a size down snagging the XL. I’m very glad I did! I think sizing down one also contributed to a less dramatic sleeve look. I think if you get your normal size, it would just have a little more puff and a little more space in midsection. It’s also a very nice length. J.Crew historically makes shorter blouses, but this one was just right. It hit right at mid-hip and was cropped enough I didn’t need to tuck it in. There’s enough length to tuck it in, too. It also comes in solid colors!

Back to what to look for in a floral you can wear now, or wear later!

 

1. Color Palette 

When looking for any printed top that will take you from Summer to Fall, the most important aspect is your color palette. Earth tone and neutral florals can be worn nearly year-round, but pastels and bright hues found more in the warmer months are harder to wear into Fall. If you opt for bright or pastel palettes, try to find some that incorporate Earth or neutral tones, even in small doses or as an accent. This top, for example, is bold with various shades of blue and white that are perfect for Summer, but the olive and brown leaves will allow me to easily pair it with Fall accessories! 

2. Floral Scale

When it comes to scale (i.e. the size of the floral), large scale florals feel a bit more Summery. Small scale or tighter scale florals are more subtle, so they don’t jump out at you initially the way a large scale floral would. This allows you to incorporate it in a more seamless way. You can certainly wear large scale florals in the Fall if you have the right color palette, but I always prefer small scale florals towards the end of Summer. I kind of think of it as the gardens shrink, so do the size of my floral prints!

3. Silhouette 

When it comes to tops, there are definitely silhouettes we see in the Summer that are less common in the Fall. Off the shoulder, tank tops, etc are things we see when it’s a bit warmer out. If this top were off the shoulder, it would have a smaller window that I could wear it in! That’s not to say I don’t wear these silhouettes outside of summer, but I think that we can probably agree they have seasonality to them. The puff sleeve and high neck are super chic no matter the season. Think of the silhouette in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Would you reach for it in all four? There’s your answer! 

4. Material 

Similarly to color, there are materials we see more of in certain seasons. Sheer materials, with the exception of darker colors, feel more summery. Swiss dot, gauze, etc. Reach for a material that you find in both seasons. This top is a poplin cotton, while I’ll admit poplin really sees it’s moment in the summer, it’s a standard cotton that can be rocked right through the end of Fall (I even wear poplin in the winter). You get what I’m saying though, 

To wrap things up, I love how this top pops with white denim. I styled it with brown point toe flats to tie in the olive/brown hues of the floral. I think this will look so cute with a dark blue jean and brown flat brim fall hat in a few weeks or so! Maybe I’ll circle back then and show how I would style it in-between seasons. It can also work tucked into a skirt, with shorts or under a blazer, too. I absolutely love it and it will be a forever piece in my closet! I think it’s the perfect transitional floral top for this time of year.

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