Which Florals are Office Appropriate?

Post author:Nicole Mölders
Reading time:7 mins read

“Can you wear florals at the office?” is a question I often get from my readers. Read to learn which prints look professional, which don’t, and how to ground florals to look work appropriate.

Contents

Which Floral Prints are Best for Work Clothes?
How Not to Wear Florals at the Office
Can You Wear Florals On Work Travel?
Dress for the Temperature Contrasts between Outside and Inside
Color Coordinate Your Work Wardrobe When Wearing Floral Prints
See Which Florals Are Office Appropriate
Wrapping Up: Can You Wear Florals at the Office

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Which Floral Prints are Best for Work Clothes?

Printed tops, scarves and blouses are easy ways to wear floral prints at work. When wearing floral prints be aware that a full-on floral long dress reads too much party, weekend or vacation. Consequently, they are never work appropriate.

Medium size prints are best.

stylist showing which floral prints are best for the office — Floral print dresses with medium size abstract print are best when wearing florals at work. Layering creates interest and is a *Must* when working in über-cooled air conditioned rooms.

How Not to Wear Florals at the Office

Very small prints like in the photo below look too romantic to provide a professional look. They are great for the weekend when your have gamine style.

stylist featuring which floral prints are not work appropriate — Small French-style floral prints like in this gamine style weekend look is risky to wear at work. Outfit details: Dress c/o Apricot, Nordgreen watch, Very Fine Dance sandals

Only, in a creative or casual work environment, you can mix a floral print with leopard or stripes.

Dress for the Temperature Contrasts between Outside and Inside

Even in summer layering is needed due to the heat outside and the AC inside. Air conditioning is certainly nice when it is in the 100s outside (warmer than 37.8^oC). Once you get outside just take the cardigan off and enjoy the nice warm weather. However, after a heat wave, you can catch quickly a cold when the AC becomes too chilly, which they often do. Obviously, the AC and air in the room need some time to adjust to the less hot conditions. Therefore, wear a cardigan as a top over a silk camisole or light cotton tank top.

influencer featuring how to wear florals at the office — Example of florals and dress style that look office appropriate

Color-Coordinate Your Work Wardrobe When Wearing Floral Prints

There is no need to ground your look with white or black when wearing a floral cardigan. In the outfit inspiration below, the look is grounded with the light blue of leather pants. It works because the color floral cardigan has this color as well. More on formulas to match colors.

fashion blogger answering the question Can you wear florals at the office with an example outfit — Floral cardigan grounded with light blue

style book author in floral cardigan as top, rain coat and light blue leather pants — Outfit details: Burberry trench coat, Notations cardigan, Halogen pants, Longchamp bag, Nicole sandals.

Besides work, this look works also fine for going shopping in a mall or visiting a museum, and is perfect for sightseeing in a windy town when light showers and temperatures in the 50s (10^oC) when you swap the plateau heels for flats.

Can You Wear Florals on Work Travel?

Florals are great for summer. Therefore, packing floral clothes can create also outfits for exploring the town, when you wear a dress as a skirt or blouse or a floral cardigan as a blouse.

Stylist’s tip: Wearing a cardigan as blouse has the advantage that it would not wrinkle in your baggage when you pack for a summer business trip. Moreover, you will not have to trust that the iron in your hotel room is actually working appropriately.

stylist showing which floral prints are best for work clothes — Example of which floral prints are best for work clothes

fashion blogger over 50 in leather skirt work outfit with stripes and florals — Example of a work appropriate mix of florals and stripes. The Limited striped cardigan styled as a cape provides a polished look to the summer work outfit with GNW cardigan worn as top and Oliveo white skirt, statement necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Esprit bag, and Paloma Picasso sunglasses

See Which Florals Are Office Appropriate

Wrapping Up: Can You Wear Florals at the Office

Medium size abstract flower prints are best for the office. Blouses, and scarves pair well with work attire when you ground the print. Skirts and dresses should not be longer than midi. Go for classic, non-romantic cuts. Keep the HR approved work dress code in mind with respect to cleavage, sleeve length. See also my ultimate guide on looking ageless in floral prints in general.

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Photos: G. Kramm