If there is one fashion quote that resurfaces every spring, it is Miranda Priestly's famously dry line from The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking.” For spring/summer 2026, however, florals are evolving into a cool yet elegant print. According to luxury stylist Oriona Robb, “there’s a refusal to be sweet for sweetness’s sake” this season. From sculptural blooms to painterly prints, here is how to wear florals for 2026.
1. Appliqué Florals
While a floral corsage may evoke memories of a Noughties wedding, runways suggest they are coming back in vogue. “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 appliqué 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.
For affordable options, try Zara’s Flowing Shirt with Embossed Flowers at £27.99 or River Island’s White 3D Floral Sleeveless Blouse at £49.
2. Floral Hair Accessories
Floral hair accessories are back, but this time they are more high-end rather than festival-ready. At Annie’s (formerly Annie’s Ibiza) AW26 runway, undone updos 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.”
By Anthropologie offers an Orchid French Hair Pin at £20, and Zara has Maxi Embossed Flower Earrings at £17.99.
3. Abstract and Painterly Prints
While large, sprawling florals dominated runways last year, this season abstract florals are taking over, with blurred, painterly patterns seen at Chloé and Zimmermann. “There’s something more interesting about a floral that makes you question it,” says Robb, who notes this style is easier to wear if you do not usually opt for florals. Painterly prints offer a more subtle and sophisticated take on florals. And Other Stories has a Draped Sleeveless Midi Dress in Blue Floral Print for £67.
4. Grunge Florals
“A floral needs something working against it to feel cool,” says Robb. Florals 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. M&S offers a Floral Lace Detail Midi Slip Skirt at £40.
5. Pick ‘n’ Mix Florals
Colour is what truly makes florals appear on-trend or slightly dated. While the grunge approach is trending, the dominating colour palette this spring is pick ‘n’ mix pastels. Chalky lavender, dusty sage and sky blue continue to be floral favourites, but the pick ‘n’ mix element comes from bold, juxtaposing shades. Lime green, turquoise, cobalt blue and hot pink bring 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. Mango offers a Strapless Floral Top at £49.99, and Phase Eight has the Marcella Floral Sleeveless Halterneck Maxi Dress at £89 (was £179) from John Lewis & Partners.
