Flower Power for Spring Fever

1940's floral print dress(L), 1950's floral print dress(R)

Hello Cape Girardeau, Missouri and beyond,

We are all ready for spring and spring brings the beauty of flowers. Floral prints are always in fashion for a spring dress, a garden party, or any party. Styles and motifs may change with the decade, but they are always interesting and fun to wear.

The '20s colors were bright and bold but the flowers were most often smaller. They were usually an accent to solids or were covered with a georgette crepe -- think chiffon. These beautiful low waist shifts had floral print arms on a solid dress, or floral print as an accent piece down the front of the dress, or solid accents on the floral. They could certainly go-all-out floral when they added their cloche or brimmed hat.

The most popular floral '30s dresses seemed to stay with the smaller floral print covering the dress with an accent bow, collar, or jabot worn with a more subdued hat. The '30s seemed to adore bows. I personally, love those caped and ruffled short sleeves.

Hemlines are up again for the '40s and the floral print dominated the dress and, oh, that fine caressing crepe rayon material. The floral print is still small and accents were made out of the print pattern. Flowers on the hat completed the look.

Who doesn't love those full-skirted '50s print dresses that just scream -- look at me! Short sleeves and sleeveless, the belts match the print on the dress, and the prints are magnificent. Halter dresses were stylish. The prints are small and medium, bright and bold; they are truly a spring garden. I want several!

Any style of flower print can be found in the '60s. There were full dresses, mini dresses, maxi dresses, shifts, and A-line dresses and empire waist dresses. The floral print was just as diverse as your dress choice - small floral print, medium floral print, and bold and big floral print. You can find '60s dresses that are subdued or in black and white and bold, and bright floral.

What about '70s flower print dresses? Try a sundress, smocked dress, or a self-tie shoulder dresses with the flower garden print of your choice. In the early '70s the mini floral dress was still a strong style as well as a smocked bodice or a white dress with floral embroidered bodice or embroidery covering the dress. Maybe you would like a pointed white or a scalloped white collar on your floral dress. They are a nice accent.

Floral dresses in the '80s, where? Unless you find a Gunne Sax, a Laura Ashley, or maybe a Jessica McClintock (Manufacturer of Gunne Sax), it's a sold, stripe or dotted world out there. The '80s was the professional era for women. I'll never wear navy blue again, well, maybe.

Floral prints are as sweet and fresh as a spring morning. Wear one today.

Register and join us for vintage fun at Unique Chic: Vintage Fashion for Today. Unique Chic workshop postponed until April, will be held at Southeast University campus, Thursdays, April 3 -- 24 from 6-8 P.M. Use the magic word VINTAGE as your promotion code when registering for a $5 discount. Register in person, by phone - call 573-986-6879, or online at www.semo.edu/continuinged

Have fun. Be classic, be you, wear vintage.