Tropical Floral Prints
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida
Shirt (Similar Shirt) (Similar Dress) || Jeans || Sandals || Similar Tote Bag || Bracelet
A little backstory on this photo location: We are still in the midst of putting our home back together post-flood. Our weekends have included lots of work in the yard and building furniture. Because Saturday and Sunday seem jammed pack, we have to find our fun during the workweek. Our date night typically falls somewhere between Tuesday and Thursday. In all honesty, it depends on how antsy I feel from sitting inside all day. This week the bougainvilleas in downtown St. Pete looked absolutely incredible. Typically, this corner of North Straub Park is full of kids skateboarding, young couples taking engagement photos, or a rouge tai chi class. I was so happy to finally have the space to myself and take some quick pictures next to the iconic Vinoy Hotel.
Summer Style
Summer is just around the corner. Although I’ve been relishing in this perfect Florida weather, I can feel the humidity and heat truly begin to sneak in. Luckily for me, I’m a born and raised Floridian and no stranger to how brutal the summer can be here. The hot days can feel a little bit cooler if you dress smart for the weather ahead. Think light, billowing fabrics, lots of dresses, and sun hats. More and more, block print florals have been thrown into the mix. I simply love the brand, Banjanan, because it checks all of the boxes. Gorgeous prints in light and airy fabrics. They pair perfectly with white jeans against a St. Pete background.
Block Prints
Tropical floral prints just seem to hit a little different than your standard, for me at least. Similar to a toile, this print tells a story. A jungle of flowers and animals makes the entire scene come alive. Each piece feels like a work of art, a one-of-a-kind item that you’ll never find again. The process for making block print designs is an art form and something I would love to learn more about. While many of these brands have origins in Jaipur, India (a place high on my travel bucket list), I was also happy to find a local shop while in The Bahamas. Bahama Hand Prints have a stunning collection of pieces with full inspiration coming from the islands. I brought home a tea towel, but I wouldn’t mind adding some pillows and blankets to my collection.
Raffia Sandals
When wearing such bright tropical prints, I like to pair pieces that will add to it, not distract. With dresses, it’s easy. Just throw one on, and you instantly have a chic resort look. For blouses, I vote to wear a crisp pair of white jeans for an effortless look that works from day to night. As far as accessories, can you go wrong with raffia or rattan? No way! That’s especially true in the summertime. My raffia sandals from Carrie Forbes have been one of the best investment pieces of 2021. I wear them with everything! Even when we were in Harbour Island, they were my go-to pair for walks through town and fancier dinner affairs.
Straw Bags
Don’t skip on the raffia bags either. Mine is a custom creation from the incredible ladies at A and A Hidden Treasures. If you plan on taking a trip to Harbour Island, this should be your number one source for souvenirs. You can preorder your designs like I did to have a truly special piece. The Orange to Apple blog logo has never looked better. I can’t wait to use this bag again and again over the summer. Since they don’t ship yet (but I hope they will soon), you can find some similar great options from Tuckernuck and Hat Attack. If you’re looking for more of a clutch, then I’m sure you’ve seen me use this number from J. Crew time and time again. It’s another summer favorite!
No matter where you live, the sweet smell of summer is just around the corner. Embrace the sunnier days and warmer weather by finding tropical print pieces to wear the day away. After all, it aligns with one of my favorite style tips. Dress for the vacation you wish you were on!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.