Once upon a time, floral prints were reserved for middle-aged men on vacation, mobsters (see: Tommy Vercetti, Scarface, Tony Soprano), and poker players. Fast forward all the way to the present, it turns out they look cool on just about everyone if you know how to wear it right.
The floral print button-ups have become an instant summer staple this year for cool dudes and celebrities alike, so you should really start stocking your closet with some of them. They are way more versatile than you think and go with just about anything you might have in your closet, assuming you’re already relatively trendy. No one wants to see someone who’s only half trendy, so make sure you’re the whole outfit is ready to pull off this look.
I’ve compiled a simple list of some basic do’s and don’ts you’ll want to stick to as you embark on your floral journey, the information I’ve gathered first hand, around the net, and through some reliably fashionable folk.
Don’t Be Afraid of Color
The whole idea of embracing the floral print is embracing your inner wild style, as GQ has so eloquently branded this season. If you’re going to take the dive into these prints, you’re going to want to also embrace the idea of being colorful. Stock up on a couple of different colors of floral prints.
H&M has some great budget options, but if you really want to get some longevity out of your floral designs, pick them up from some more bougie spots like Nordstrom or even Urban Outfitters if you’re feeling particularly hip. Go with a classic red, white, and a black if you can find one. I wouldn’t particularly go with yellow, but you could definitely pull it off with the right blue jeans for that 2018 James Dean look.
Actually, Have a Healthy Fear of Color
That’s not to say you should go absolutely crazy with color throughout the rest of your outfit, or else you risk looking like you a particularly flowery clown while you’re out and about. Your new, crisp floral print is going to be all the color you’re going to need for this outfit, so try pair it up with equally fresh but contrastingly simple options. A white undershirt is always a great way to go, though black will work too since we’re steadily approaching the fall.
Your bottoms are going to want to be equally tame, no patterns of any kind are the safest bet. In fact, you’re going to want to avoid any other pattern on the rest of your outfit once you’ve adorned yourself with this buttoned-up getup, so plain jeans or shorts if you have a pair.
If you don’t for some reason, get some plain jeans and shorts. Chinos will also go well with them along with an easy breezy shoe option, possibly loafers. Personally,[ I avoid sandals like the plague](https://www.activeman.com/loafers-are-the-new-sandals/). Chuck Taylors are always the perfect accompaniment to a colorful fit, don’t forget that.
How to Wear it Without Looking Like a Dweeb
There are quite a few schools of thought on whether or not you should be buttoning up your floral button-up. Some adhere to the half-way buttoning, others to the full top button look, popularized by Tyler, The Creator and people who want to look like Tyler, the Creator.
My personal favorite look will always be the unbuttoned route, particularly if you’re in [relatively good shape](https://www.activeman.com/dressing-to-your-body-type/). Nothing beats the summer look of a clean white t-shirt under a vibrantly colored Hawaiian shirt, top it all off with some [super fresh sunglasses](https://www.activeman.com/sunglasses-are-more-important-than-you-think/) and you’ve got a look others won’t soon forget.
We’re in the prime-time of the summer season gentlemen, so it’s time to pull out all the stops on the summer style you’ve been planning to rework all this time. Follow this guide and similar ones I’ve written here on Activeman to remain super fresh all the way through the heatwave and beyond. Check back for fall style recommendations, as I’ll be weaving in and repurposing everything we’ve already discussed.
