Budding season

Though summer’s wrapped up, there’s no reason not to transition your summer florals into fall favorites as this season’s runways were blooming with flowers of all kinds. At Prada, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton lady-like looks were all the rage with retro floral patterns, vintage motifs, and sophisticated waist-cinching silhouettes. Other designers such as Consuelo Castiglioni (Marni), Zac Posen, Peter Som, Jil Sander, Giles Deacon, and Erdem Moralioglu followed suit by embracing this trend through pretty prints in dark, moody hues of deep roses, decadent purples, intense greens, and somber citrines. So keep your florals from falling off the map this season.

Here’s how:

1 HIT TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE by incorporating flirty ’40s-inspired charm into your wardrobe with a high-waist pencil skirt and printed button-down, cinched at the waist with a skinny belt and reach for a pair of vintage sunnies to complete your look.

2 WEAR THE PANTS Balance out the overall pattern with a sleek jacket in a solid hue to tame the print.

3 GO BOLD by accessorizing your floral dress with a statement-making necklace instead of delicate add-ons that spell summer.

4 RETIRE SANDALS and ease your way into the weather with another big trend for Fall 2011, the “smoking flats” aka the classic loafers.

5 DRESS FOR THE WEATHER with a nubby, long cardigan. Pick one in a neutral color that you can work into your everyday cool-weather wardrobe. A knit sweater over a floral dress blends the best of polished and ultra-casual, while a slim fitting cardigan paired with a skinny belt keeps your layers looking slim and sleek.

On Manuela: Dress with cutouts, Topshop; shoes, Michael Antonio. On Melanie: Top, Warehouse; tan leather skirt, Dorothy Perkins. On Sam Gomez: Floral sheer top, Topshop; shorts, Forever 21; shoes, Schutz, Adora. On Samantha Lewis: Asymmetrical dress, Mango. On Pauline: Knit top, Forever 21; wide-leg pants, Zara; shoes, Schutz, Adora.