Floral fever

The fashion world has gone wild over all things floral. Whether you're a fan of bold blooms or whimsical petals, it's the perfect print to showcase this season's bright colours.

"Beautifully vibrant flowers adorn dresses, skirts and jackets this season. It's the loveliest take on fashion's feminine mood," says Lucinda Chambers, Vogue's fashion director.

Floral trends were hot to trot on the catwalks - Alexander McQueen wowed with pretty petals on ball gowns and Chloe showcased retro prints to add some flower power to the spring/summer collection.

Lucinda says: "Designers have revisited florals: their abstract approach has made flower prints look fresh again."

Bring out your girly side and get swept up in this summer's floral fever.

FLOWER POWER

So what are the floral staples setting the fashion world alight? This season's hottest buy, the dress, is the perfect piece to parade the trend to the fullest.

Lucinda says they make great staples: "Simple floral dresses are good day-to-night options."

To be bang on trend, hemlines should either be thigh scrapers or floor sweepers. Go short and sweet with Kookai's retro print floral shift, £49, or Warehouse's floral silk mini tunic dress, £60. If you're feeling pasty, cover up your pins with Primark's floral maxi dress, £10 (15 Euros), or Warehouse's printed floral maxi dress, £45 (70 Euros). A pretty floral coat will really show the world you mean business on the bloom front. Try on Jesire's pretty spring garden printed linen coat, £165, or Betty Jackson.Black's linen floral print swing jacket, £85, at Debenhams.

BLOOMING PRINTS

Feeling brave? Embrace florals head on with bold prints in this summer's brights.

"Giant prints look contemporary," Lucinda says.

For big prints, look to W: Limited Edition at Wallis' floral print silk dress, £65, or Jesire's red watercolour floral dress, £99, for full-on print dresses. But if you prefer the idea of teaming bold items with something tamer, try a floral top or skirt like Rocha.John Rocha's big rose smock, £35 at Debenhams, or Dorothy Perkins' floral print skirt, £30.

Even wallflowers and shrinking violets can bloom in floral prints with the more delicate patterns on the high street. Lucinda says: "Petal and rose sprinkled dresses add to the romance of long summer nights."

Go for QS' all over print dress, £12, Marks & Spencer's Batik baby doll dress, £35, or Next's floral print smock top, £20. If you want to keep your look super-subtle, opt for floral trims.

BLOSSOMING ACCESSORIES

If florals still feel a little too ladylike for your wardrobe, look to accessories to get in on the act of looking bloomin' beautiful.

Treat your feet to pretty floral pumps like Barratts' rose floral wedge pumps, £20, or Next's floral print ballerina-style shoes, £17.50. Step up the floral features with Dune's Perfume print platforms, £70, and matching clutch bag, £40.

For something a little more substantial on the bloom bag front, make a grab for Accesorize's floral oversize tote, £40 (62 Euros), or Dorothy Perkins' floral print holdall, £25. Fat Face's printed hibiscus hat, £14.50, is fabulous for frolicking in the sunshine. For a mere flash of flower power look to Primark's colourful floral painted bangles, £1.50 each.

FLOWERING GLORY

You don't have to be an airy fairy romantic type to fall in love with floral prints. Fiona Wellins at Colour Me Beautiful has these tips for carrying off floral prints with aplomb this summer: l Mix floral with another print such as stripes for a more creative look, just make sure you choose colours that match and complement each other. Be warned - any more than two different prints just doesn't work.

l A repeat pattern all over has the danger of looking like wallpaper so go for more abstract designs or floral trims for a more up-to-date look.

l Florals don't just come in chiffons and silks, try them in cottons and linens too which gives a completely different effect.

l Keep accessories to a minimum if you do wear a lot of floral print or you could be in danger of looking too cluttered.