April showers bring May flowers – and with them, floral prints on gauzy skirts, perfectly prim tops and a host of other fashionable, adult-friendly florals. Whether you’re on a long-stemmed budget or that of a mixed bouquet, The Vogue City will pluck a basket of fashion picks that will bring your wardrobe into full bloom – while nipping overpriced duds in the bud.

Spring wouldn’t hold such a mild temperament without picnics, bike rides, and the epitome of preppy prints, Lily Pulitzer. Their Ollie dress, $248 at LilyPulitzer.com, is a fresh blend of white and yellow:

The ruffle at the hem adds a demurely sweet-yet-age appropriate touch (is there anything worse than a woman over the age of 5 stricken with ruffle overload?), while the combination of yellow and white looks crisp and fresh. Pair now with a lightweight cashmere cardigan in a contrasting color, like a light plum or kelly green, neutral peep toe pumps and a silk clutch for dinner downtown; transform it into a summer staple come June with strappy metallic flat sandals and an oversized straw tote.

Missoni splays a delectable blend of sunwashed floral plus the eponymous Missoni hexagonal signature print in their silk Ethel dress, $1975 at Neiman Marcus:

Nevermind picnics and bike rides – with a dress (and price tag) like this, you’re better off spending April on a yacht off the coast of Capri with men named Carlo and Maximo feeding you prosciutto-wrapped melon by hand. Buon giorno!

Old Navy hits a home run with their maxi dress, $32 at Old Navy stores (a steal like this is not surprisingly sold out online), in hues of mixed cobalt, aqua and cream:

Add flat sandals of your liking (heels with a maxi dress spell trouble, unless you’re Diana Ross and it’s 1975) and top with sprinkles, and you’ve got yourself one tasty springtime treat.

As a rule of thumb, small prints – whether they be floral, herringbone or polka dot – work best with small body shapes, while larger prints help to balance a fuller frame.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

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