How to Wear a Floral Shirt

Co-authored by Neepa Sikdar

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 References

If you're trying to create an outfit out of your floral shirt, there are lots of fun ways you can do so with some simple wardrobe staples you likely already have. Create a casual look with a floral shirt by pairing it with items like jean shorts, a white tee, or a bomber jacket. You can even put together a dressy outfit using a floral shirt by wearing it with a suit or blazer. By letting your floral shirt be the focal point of your outfit and picking out clothes that match it, you'll have a stylish outfit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Putting Together a Casual Look

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Leave your floral shirt open with a shirt on under it for a laid-back look. Pick out a tee or camisole to wear under your floral button-up shirt in a color that matches it, or opt for a neutral tee in a color like white or black. Layer your floral shirt over it and leave this layer unbuttoned. Finish off the outfit with a pair of shorts or pants as well as a nice pair of sneakers or sandals.^{[1]
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- For example, you might wear jean shorts, a white tee, and a colorful floral shirt.
- You can even wear a floral shirt buttoned, as a jacket over a dress.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Neepa Sikdar
  Personal Stylist
  Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.}
2
Wear a floral shirt with white or black jeans for a classic look. You might put on a black and white floral shirt with white jeans or a bright blue and green floral shirt with black jeans.^{[3]
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Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.} Since black or white jeans will match almost any floral shirt, it’ll be easy to create a quick and good-looking outfit. Finish off the look with a pair of sneakers or flats.^{[4]
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- Elevate the outfit by tucking your floral shirt into your jeans and adding a belt, if you’d like.
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3
Layer your floral shirt under a sweater for a pop of color. Put on a floral shirt and button it up before layering a comfy sweater over it. Pull out the collar of your floral shirt so it’s visible, giving your outfit a hint of a pattern. Put on a pair of pants and your favorite shoes to complete the look.^{[5]
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- You might wear a colorful floral shirt under a burgundy sweater with jeans.
- Avoid picking out a sweater that’s skin-tight so that your floral shirt doesn’t look bulky under it.
4
Pick out a pair of jean shorts to wear with your floral shirt. Choose a colorful floral shirt and your favorite pair of shorts for a quick and easy outfit.^{[6]
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Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.} Since jean shorts go with anything, you can pick out any type of floral shirt you’d like and pair it with sneakers or sandals.^{[7]
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- For instance, wear a pair of jean shorts with a white, blue, and red floral shirt with a pair of white sneakers.
- Light-wash jeans are the most casual while dark washes look a bit dressier.
5
Add a floral shirt over a crop top for a cute look. Pick out a crop top in a neutral color like black or white to match any floral shirt, or opt for a crop top in a color shown in the florals. Layer the floral button-up shirt on top and leave it unbuttoned to show off your crop top. Wear a pair of high-waisted shorts or a high-waisted skirt to complete your outfit.^{[8]
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- You might put on a white crop top, a yellow, orange, and pink floral shirt, high-waisted denim shorts, and a pair of slip-on shoes.
6
Put a jacket on over your floral shirt to subdue the pattern. This could be a jean jacket, bomber jacket, or any other type of casual jacket you’d like to wear over your shirt. Leave the jacket open so your floral button-up can be seen and put on a pair of pants or shorts to finish off the outfit.^{[9]
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- For example, wear a black and white floral shirt, a jean jacket, white pants that are cuffed at the bottom, and sneakers.
7
Wear a floral shirt with a bathing suit to take a swim. Button-up floral shirts are perfect for the beach, pool, or anywhere else where there's water. Put on a pair of swim trunks or other bathing suit in a color that matches the florals to go with your floral shirt, leaving the shirt unbuttoned if you'd like.^{[10]
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- Wear flip flops and sunglasses to complete your look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Dressing up Your Floral Shirt

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Mix and match your florals with another pattern for a bold look. Just because your shirt has a floral pattern on it doesn’t mean the rest of your outfit needs to be pattern-free. You might wear a blue, dark green, and white floral shirt with pinstripe shorts that are white and light blue. Choose another pattern that has similar color tones as your shirt and that is slightly less vibrant for a nice look.^{[11]
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- You could tone down the patterns by wearing a solid-colored sweater or jacket over the shirt.
- You might wear a white and yellow floral top with gray and white patterned bottoms.
2
Layer a floral shirt under a lightweight suit for a dressy occasion. If you’re going to an event that calls for a spring or summertime suit, add pops of colors by wearing a floral button-up shirt under it. Choose a suit that complements the colors of your floral shirt so that they match and leave the jacket unbuttoned so your shirt is visible.^{[12]
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- For example, wear a navy blue, dark turquoise, black, and red floral shirt with a dark turquoise suit.
- Add a pair of dress shoes and a watch to complete the look.
3
Wear a floral shirt under a blazer for a classy outfit. Pick out a floral shirt and a blazer in a color that shows up in your button-up shirt. Put on a pair of nice pants or a fitted skirt in a neutral tone (or that are the same color as the blazer) for a sophisticated look. Complete your outfit with a stylish pair of heels or loafers.^{[13]
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- For instance, wear a pair of khakis with a black blazer and a floral shirt with white, black, and green tones.
- If you want to create a contrast, you might wear a pink and white floral shirt and a navy blue blazer.
4
Tuck your floral button-up into a pair of chinos for a stylish look. Choose a pair of chinos—they could be shorts or pants—that go with the colors of your floral shirt. Tuck your shirt into your pants and add a belt before putting on a pair of loafers.^{[14]
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- You might wear forest green chinos with a white and navy blue floral shirt.
5
Tie the ends of your floral shirt to turn it into a shorter blouse. Put on a floral shirt and button up only the top half of the buttons. Take the two loose ends and tie them in a knot as far up as you’d like, creating a more sophisticated-looking shirt. Pair these with high-waisted pants or a skirt.^{[15]
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- You might put on a fitted dress or tank top and wear the floral shirt over it.
- Wear a pair of flats, sandals, or nice boots with this outfit.
6
Put on an oversized floral shirt to wear as a dress. Pick out a floral shirt that reaches past your bottom and that doesn’t slide up too much if you were to bend over. Cap the sleeves of the shirt for a more fitted look or use a belt to cinch your waistline. Wear a pair of flats, boots, or nice sandals to complete the look.^{[16]
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- You might wear a long purple floral shirt, black belt, and a jean jacket over it.
- Add jewelry or a purse to make your outfit stand out.
- Put a pair of tights or leggings on under the floral shirt if you’d like.
7
Add a button-up cardigan on over your shirt for a comfy, styled look. Button up your floral shirt and pick out a solid-colored cardigan that matches the colors of the florals. Button a couple buttons in the middle of the cardigan or opt to keep it unbuttoned so your floral shirt is clearly visible. Wear a pair of nice jeans or other pants and loafers or flats.^{[17]
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- Wear a white cardigan over a white, green, and navy blue floral shirt. Pick out black jeans and a pair of nice slip-on shoes to complete the look.
8
Wear a tie with your floral shirt for a sophisticated outfit. Pick out a solid-colored tie that matches a color in your floral shirt. Button your shirt up all the way and put the tie on. You can add a blazer or other type of jacket over your shirt if it's chilly or just wear the floral shirt and tie with a pair of pants for a finished outfit.^{[18]
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- For instance, put on a purple tie with a purple, blue, and white floral shirt along with a pair of khakis.
- Wear a pair of loafers or dress shoes with your floral shirt and tie.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you rock a floral shirt?

Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Neepa Sikdar is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of Accessible Style. With 18 years of fashion experience, she specializes in working with female leaders to develop their style through personal styling, brand styling, and online styling. She also coaches women on personal style through her membership program. Neepa has worked with brands such as Nordstrom and J. Crew and has been featured in publications such as Business Insider. She holds a BS in Economics and English from Rutgers University and trained in styling through Fashion Institute of Technology.

Neepa Sikdar

Personal Stylist

Expert Answer

Choose a floral print size that matches your height! Petite individuals should go for a smaller print, people of average height should go for medium print, and taller individuals should opt for a large print.