If you’ve been shopping lately, you may have noticed that stores are starting to resemble gardens.  Spring has sprung, and with it comes a burst of bold floral prints.  This is definitely a trend that’s easy to translate into plus sizes, as long as you take your shape into consideration when choosing your prints and placement.

Macy's Alfani Floral Dress

Dresses: With floral dresses you need to pay attention to the placement of the pattern to make sure it flatters.  Also take into consideration the cut and length of the dress.  A knee length wrap dress is flattering on almost every figure.  The sash at the waist can be adjusted to fit tightly if you want to show off your tiny waist, or left a little looser if you would like to conceal the tummy.  If you’re top heavy, wear a camisole underneath or pin at the neckline to avoid showing off more than you intend to reveal when you bend over!  If you’ve got narrow hips, a big bold random pattern can add fullness.  If you’re trying to minimize wide hips, choose a more consistent all-over print.

This Alfani dress from Macy’s has pops or turquoise in the pattern that go well with almost every skin and tone and hair color.  The contrasting trim of the dress really draws lines at the best part of your body — the v-neck to showcase your face, along the waistline to accentuate the smallest part of your torso, and then down the legs to elongate your body.  I also like the length (just above the knee) and the elbow sleeve which makes the dress versatile for spring, summer and fall.

Jessica London Print skirt

Skirts: What I love about this Jessica London skirt (besides it being purple, my favorite color!) is that the pattern is concentrated on the bottom half of the skirt.  I have pretty wide hips, and stretching a bright floral across them can sometimes be unflattering.  But with the solid color covering the widest part and the pattern at the bottom, the eye is drawn downwards.  Pleats are still very chic for spring, as is the retro style (think  the TV show Mad Men), so this skirt hits a trio of trends.

If you’re short, you may just want to take the skirt up a little at your tailor, because calf length could be frumpy.  Tall girls, you may find the calf length perfect because it’s not too short and yet still gives a nice peek at your gams.  This skirt looks to be a bit high waisted, which you could conceal with a longer top if you prefer to break up your figure a little.  Otherwise, play up that waist line by tucking in a white tee, as the model is shown wearing here.

Sihouettes Floral Top

Tops: Floral tops are everywhere in styles ranging from halters to tunics, kimono sleeves to t-shirts.  I like ones from Silhouettes, and mixing prints is hot right now.

You can rock tunic tops like this with skinny jeans or leggings, since fitted pants aren’t going away as the weather warms up.  But this top would look really great as a beach cover up or with some shorts and wedge heels too, so its quite versatile!