Hooks the Look

Mixed Bouquet: Floral Trends

“Mixed bouquet” is not just a reference to the two florals in this look. There’s a whole lot of other mixed up trends and fashion discoveries going on. How many can you count?

I’ll start with the florals since it’s the theme of the post being that this is the first Saturday of the month.  Lately, I’ve found that I don’t want to carry around a large purse so I’ve slowly been adding to my small crossbody collection.  They’re perfect for just the basic essentials like my iPhone, ID, and a few credit cards.  I will usually take my larger purse (still loaded with all less essential items) as well but leave it in the car.  I came across this floral print one not too long ago and I thought it might do well either dressed up or dressed down.

My striped top with that big splash of applique flowers I found as I wandered through that “favorite of many” nationwide retailer. Truth be told, this line is carried in a department that normally I wouldn’t peruse except that I’d recently discovered that there’s a crossover in sizing. Many of us think nothing of shopping in the juniors’ department but what about in the plus sizes? The sizes in this particular line start at X or 0X which is equivalent to a misses XL.


Top – Ava & Liv (exact)
Crossbody purse – Nine West (similar look, another option)
Belt – no label (similar look, pretty option)

The variety of options for tucking one’s shirt are often discussed in blog posts. I’m kind of shortwaisted and a bit on the busty side so I rarely if ever wear my top fully tucked into my pants or skirt. I’ll often do an off-centered nip-tuck of a tee into my waistband and I’m also fond knotting or scrunching with a small rubber band. But the method that I’ve been least enamored with until now has been the half-tuck like I’m sporting in these photos. Have you seen shirts with the lower half of one side cut off at the waist (or higher) which seem to mimic the half-tuck?

Worn as is, button downs can look boxy and dare I say, a wee bit frumpy. It can be tricky trying to figure out how to best tuck but in this case, the floral applique is only on one side so I thought I would give the half-tuck a try. Luckily for me, the applique is on the left side because I prefer wearing my purse towards my right side.

Perhaps the most unexpected discovery in this mixed bouquet are my tweed boots. I’ll confess that they were an impulse buy that I almost passed on. Not sure what I would wear them for or with, it took me a while to even consider trying them on but once I did, I was sold. The Husband isn’t fond of them but I don’t always dress for him, I dress for me and I think that they rock.

The last fashion discovery in this ensemble is my method for folding up the hem of my pants. Rather than rolling them into a narrow cuff, I opted for creating a wide cuff with just one fold and let them fall messily on top of the boots.

Did you keep count? There was a mixed bouquet of two floral prints, a pairing of floral, stripes, and tweed, a half-tucked shirt, statement booties, and a wide cuff fold. Too much, too little, or just right?

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s link up is Nicole from the blog High Latitude Style. It was probably the boots that caught my eye with Nicole’s post. I adore her monochromatic look with the soft pleated skirt and shades of gray.

What’s your latest fashion discovery? Are you the type to try new styles or do you stick with the tried and true? And if I may be so bold, how good are you at tucking?

Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link up.

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14 Comments

  1. Laurie

    I’m liking The trendy half out half in styling on the shirt Rena . I like the mix of stripes and florals xx

  3. Sheela Goh

    You know my maxim, Rena, there’s no such thing as too much!! Plus all your individual elements are sufficiently muted that they meld together beautifully xo

  4. Nancy

    I always tuck one half in too. I like you’re boots a lot, and the floral with stripes its I very nice.

  5. Andrea Nine

    Love the great mix of florals! I want that shirt! Happy weekend pretty lady!

  7. Amy Johnson

    Love your top! I’ve had my eye on a embroidered button down myself but keep talking myself out of it because I don’t know if i’ll wear it much with my casual lifestyle.

  8. Andrea@WellnessNotes

    I love this outfit, Rena! I love the florals on the shirt and on the purse! And those boots are just the best! Glad you followed your impulse!

    I hope you are having a great weekend & thanks for the link up!

  11. Marilee Gramith

    Hey roomie! I’m feeling lonely without you! Great afternoon with Sherry revisiting Pikes Mkt..
    This outfit is freshly fun in it’s creative mix of pattern. When I first looked at the boots I thought they were covered in musical notes! The little purse is so sweet and looks like Japanese cherry blossoms!
    Lovin this look Rena.