Stopping To Smell The Flowers

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Dress: Chi Chi London silk/satin

Heels: Novo suede lace-up

Clutch: Adorne lace & wood

Cuffs: Gift, vintage hammered copper (from India)

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Long-time readers of this blog will already know of my abiding love affair with floral prints of every size, shape, colour & type, however none make my heart sing quite like the pansy! The name of the flower - now also used as a disgraceful & divisive slur against someone who perhaps seems "softer" or "quieter" than his peers, much to my chagrin - is ACTUALLY derived from the French word pensee (thought) & was regarded, in the mid 15th century, as a symbol of remembrance. It was also known by the name viola or "love in idleness" & meant to imply the image of a lover who has little or no other gainful employment than to think longingly of his beloved. 

All I know is that I adore the bloom's bold shape & bright colours, particularly when placed on a vivid background, as is the case with this stunning silk/satin dress from Chi Chi London with its high neckline, scooped back detail, tapered waist & voluminous 1950s style skirt. Scroll down to see me taking a leaf out of Ferdinand's* book by "stopping to smell the flowers" while on my way to brunch with dear friends at Stamford Plaza...

A pair of laser-cut black suede lace-up heels from Novo provided an edgy juxtaposition to the "girly" floral of the dress while an Adorne clutch bag made from black floral lace with a light wood handle added textural difference & a casual, bohemian vibe for daytime. Finishing the look was a pair of vintage hammered copper cuffs that were given to me by a dear friend who recently returned from a trip to India. Keep scrolling to check out all of the elements in detail...

* Refers to Ferdinand the Bull, the main character from Munro Leaf's pacifist children's tome, The Story of Ferdinand - first published in 1936 - about a bull who prefers the smell of flowers over the scent of bullfighting victory.

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