Designer prints - nautical, retro or floral prints for funky glamour

Designer prints - nautical, retro or floral prints for funky glamour

January 9th, 2009

Prints remain on-trend for 2009 and there are some gorgeous prints in the Cruise and Spring 09 collections, which make a change from colour-block dresses and endless black. Whether you’re after a funky graphic print, a ladylike floral print or a retro 1970s print, there is a designer fashion print for you from designer names including Missoni, Paul & Joe, See by Chloe, Stella McCartney and Boudicca.

See my choices below, or for more designer prints, check out the new season and cruise collections at My Wardrobe, Matches Fashion, and MyTheresa.

This bias cut, scarf-type retro print top (below) is one of my favourite pieces from the latest Diane von Furstenberg collection.

Designer prints nautical, retro or floral prints for funky glamour

It would look great with jeans and coloured flats, or white trousers and gold wedges. 100% silk, it has a 1970s summer vibe, especially with the rope straps (though with those straps I wouldn’t want to accessorise with sunburnt shoulders - ouch). Only £209 from Matches Fashion.
Diane von Furstenberg scarf top with retro print. Or view more Diane Von Furstenberg.

A frilled blouse with a bit more oomph, this lovely fitted top has short sleeves and a fresh blue floral print that conrasts with the one-sided ruffles. By the fashion label Boudicca, this ruffle print blouse costs £678 at Matches Fashion.
Boudicca one sided ruffle front shirt with blue and white print. Or view more Boudicca fashions.

Wow, this eye-catching See by Chloe multicoloured floral print waffle shirt dress will get you in the mood for summer. 100% cotton, it has front box pleats and a back zip. This lovely print dress is £374 at My Wardrobe.
See by Chloe floral print waffle shirt dress. Or view more See by Chloe.

This stunning printed silk dress (below) from new season Paul and Joe has an unusual brightly coloured (red, yellow, blue and green) fish and seabed print on a luxurious champagne-coloured background.

The printed dress is 100% silk, with balloon sleeves and a plunging neckline (my Wardrobe suggest Spanx as a solution!). This printed Paul and Joe dress has a kimono-esque quality to me, and Japanese influences are big news for the coming season. £607 from My Wardrobe.
Paul and Joe Prunell fish print silk dress. Or view more Paul & Joe, or Paul & Joe Sister.

I love this Missoni graphic print knitted wrap sarong skirt. it makes a change from the usual Missoni knitted print cardigan / dress / bikini and at only €249 at MyTheresa it won’t break the bank. (MyTheresa are German and price in Euros but the site is in English and they ship worldwide).
Missoni graphic print knitted wrap skirt at MyTheresa. Or view more Missoni.

I have blogged about this nautical print Stella McCartney silk shift dress before but it is so pretty I thought I would again. With a boats and seagulls print on a blue background, this seaside silk print dress is £565 at Matches Fashion.
Stella McCartney silk nautical seaside print shift dress. Or view more Stella McCartney.

A pretty pink floral dress that manages to be cute and Spring-like, and a bit edgy at the same time - by Diane von Furstenberg. This embellished print dress has appliqued roses and straps that cross over at the back. £560 at the DvF shop on Matches Fashion.
Diane von Furstenberg pink floral print dress with appliqued roses. Or view more Diane Von Furstenberg.