Will we enjoy tropical temperatures this year? We’re hoping we do, but we can all grab a little bit of the tropics by literally wrapping ourselves in them. Tropical prints are sprouting everywhere in summer 2014, with exotic flowers blooming alongside fruits that we’ve never seen growing around here.
Grab a tropical dress in bold, bright colours, and swirling, outsize shapes. Be bold, be brazen, and don’t be afraid to clash. Nature’s choices are audacious, and when did you ever see wild plant groupings that didn’t work?
Team hot pink with flaming orange. Cool with a little yellow or green if you must, or shine with neon lemon or lime. Try geranium red or tangerine against brilliant blue or deep turquoise. Use black or navy as your background, or tone it down with muted shades on white, for days when you just need to.
Don’t forget the creatures of the wild! Stalk the undergrowth for inspiration, and superimpose animal prints upon patches of colours, or mix them in amongst the fabric’s vegetation. Add panels of animal-skin patterns to floral dresses, or border your hems with them, for a truly stunning jungle affair. Continue the feral look on bags, shoes and scarves, for a strong contrast to your floral riot of a frock.
This fashion trend looks good enough to eat. Pineapples are in free fall, while oranges and lemons circle palm fronds like a juggler’s props. Then glance upwards for a variation on the theme! The palm tree print arguably creates a simpler picture than the tropical print, with one bold image on plain material, or as a repeat, and it’s often paler. In terms of dresses, seek out a skater dress or a shift for most success.
Both trends are well suited to the maxi, to strappy sundresses, the culotte dress, and to jumpsuits. Smarten the look for week days with a tailored version, or go asymetrical. Accessorise with a white clutch and pointed-toe shoes for a retro look, when sunnies are just perfect, too. Scour vintage shops for a wide shiny belt, or whip-thin plastic in white. Alternatively, match it with a colour from your dress. Make a statement with kitsch jewellery in the shape of fruit or palm leaves.
Just like the infinite variety of a rain forest, this style will slip effortlessly from day to night, and from work to play. Whatever the weather, you can create your own tropical storm!
The featured photo is of TJ Wallace wearing a tropical print dress from Nasty Gal
Janni Deler is wearing a tropical print dress from American dreams
Aida Domenech is wearing a black crop top from Asos, tropical print skirt from Alice & Olivia, shoes from Nasty Gal and bag from Moschino
Julietta Kuczyńska is wearing a tropical outfit from Mango
Jessica Stein is wearing a tropical print dress from Stylestalker and the bag is from Chanel
Olivia Purvis is wearing a tropical print dress from Olive and a bag from Brit Stitch
Natasha Oakley is wearing a tropical print jumpsuit from Tigerlily and shoes from Seed
Adriana Gastélum is wearing a crop top from Lulu’s, tropical print skirt from Chicwish, sunglasses from Céline and bag and mules from Rebecca Minkoff
Zoé Alalouch is wearing a vintage tropical print dress and sunglasses from Urban Outfitters
Mafalda Castro is wearing a Tropical print playsuit from Motel Rocks
Amber Fillerup Clark is wearing a tropical print dress from J. Crew, bag from Proenza Schouler and the surf board is from Chanel
Mary Seng is wearing a logo sweatshirt from Mango, tropical midi skirt from Chicwish, shoes from Tibi and the bag is from Chanel
Ariana Chiche is wearing a top and shoes from Zara and the tropical print palazzo trousers are from TopShop
Jessie Chanes is wearing a shirt from Uniqlo, tropical print bikini from Oysho and a hat from Bohochic
Aimee Song in a tropical print jumpsuit from Zimmermann Georgia
Natalia Cabezas is wearing a tropical print overalls from It Shoes, purse from Rebecca Minkoff, sandals from Gaimo and the sunglasses are from Hype-Optics SoHo
Aimee Song is wearing a tropical print linen dress from Minusey, sunglasses from Seneca, shoes and bag from Celine
Kristina Bazan is wearing a red and white tropical dress and shoes from Louis Vuitton and a hat from The Kooples
Petra Karlsson is wearing tropical print shorts and mesh trim top from Sheinside and shoes from Alisonsman
Shea Marie is wearing a white lace top and tropical print skirt, shoes and bag all from Dolce & Gabbana
Kenza Zouiten is wearing a tropical bikini top and bottom from Ivy Revel and a white kimono from Zara
Daisy Ricks is wearing a palm print dress from Missguided, bag from Rip Curl and gladiator shoes from Steve Madden
Valeriya Volkova is wearing tropical bird print top from Choies, white shorts from Sheinside, bag from Marc Jacobs
Katarzyna Tusk is wearing a blue and white palm print dress from River Island, sunglasses from Mango
Damla Yaraman is wearing a tropical kimono from Gina Tricot
Tropical dress worn by Natalie Joos Via Stockholm Street Style
Camilla Sentuti is wearing a tropical print dress from Persunmail, and the shoes are from Guess From Sarenza
Annabelle Fleur is wearing an asymmetrical tropical dress from Lovers And Friends and white sandals from Coach Leighann
Aimee Song is wearing banana leaf blazer and shorts from Joie and the bag is from Coach
Tropical Daintree Playsuit From SABO
A pair of pastel tropical trousers. Unfortunately we do not know who is the fashion blogger/photographer. Let us know and we will give credit accordingly.
Kim Le is wearing a tropical print romper from TopShop, sunglasses from Toms, clutch from River Island and the hat is from Morning Lavender
Angela Blick is wearing tropical trousers from Gina Tricot, bag and top from Zara and sunglasses from RayBan
Jessica R. is wearing tropical leggings from Pop Couture, denim shirt from Bella Dahl, purse from Aldo and shoes from Vince Camuto
Amber Fillerup Clark is wearing a tropical dress from TopShop, sunglasses from RayBan and the bag is from Vince Camuto
Ashley Madekwe is wearing a tropical print skirt and sandals from Zara, white top from American Apparel and a bag from Alexander Wang
Tropical summer dress from Cameo
Annabelle Fleur is wearing a tropical print fleece sweatshirt from MSGM, white mesh skirt from AVIU, soho bag from Gucci and the shoes are from Saint Laurent
The Caroline is wearing a tropical snapback
Sirma Markova is wearing a tropical kimono from H&M and the bikini is from Massimo Celeste
Thássia Naves is wearing a palm print dress from Skazi, and the clutch is from Serpui Marie
