Pink and Pucci for Spring

Every year when the pink cherry blossoms are out, I make a point to take some photos for the blog under this canopy in the park.  This year it seemed especially appropriate, since pink is set to be THE colour for spring and summer.  Like water on a stone, I’ve had such a stream of pink put in front of my eyeballs via Instagram and magazines that even my own resolute anti-pink stance has crumbled.  I recently bought a pink skirt (sequinned, of course) and quickly realised I had absolutely nothing to wear with it!  I’ll remedy that soon, but I missed my photo opportunity under the pink blooms.  Cherry blossoms wait for no man, so I opted to wear this much-loved old Pucci dress instead, before all of the flowers disappeared.  The wind was FIERCE the day we took these photos, so the trees are probably nearly bare already.

Windblown, with petal snow

Here’s the best part about a Pucci dress– it could be from this year or 10 years ago.  A Pucci dress is all about retro appeal, so it doesn’t ever look out of date.  Missoni falls into this category as well.  Both brands have a strong aesthetic that you either love or hate (I’m a lover).  They are iconic pieces that stand the test of time, and while expensive, are worth an investment if you are Team Statement Print.  I think every closet needs one or two Missoni or Pucci style pieces.  With both brands, I only really like about 15% of what they do; a lot of the colours and patterns don’t appeal to me at all, but the ones I like, I LOVE!  Also, they both do a lot of beachwear (bikinis, coverups, sarongs, caftans, etc) but I don’t usually spend this sort of money on beachwear.  Pucci and Missoni often put a slightly putrid stripe or colour somewhere in the print to keep it from looking too perfect (the dress I’m wearing doesn’t have that though).  This design element reminds me of a well-crafted perfume where traditionally, a note or two of something really ‘off’ and pungent (indoles, ambergris, castoreum, civet glands, etc.) was added to give richness and contrast to the scent.  In the same way, just a touch of these slightly off colours enhances the colour palette.  I look forward each season to see what both of these brands come up with.  There are always a few pieces I fall completely in love with.   I do try to avoid some of the more delicate Missoni knitted scarves because I find they pick and pull too easily for me and my lifestyle.  Everything else is usually quite hardwearing.

Hanging around with the pigeons

The WIND again

Details
Dress: Pucci (old)
Bag: Hermes Medor
Shoes: Louboutin Gwalior 100
Earrings: old (similar here)

Here are a few of my Pucci and Missoni favourites that are currently available, a few are even on sale.  It does make me laugh that all of them have pink!  I’m starting to think of pink as ‘light red’ which, technically, it is.  Did you know that pink used to be the colour associated with boys and blue with girls?  At one time (early 1900’s to be precise) pink was thought to be the stronger and more decisive colour.  I blame Barbie and Paris Hilton for ruining it for me, but I’m starting to come around…

This one is my favourite.  I love the Pucci spirograph print, and that sick putty colour just makes it for me.

This is a close second.  The pea and mint greens, tangerine orange, lavender, and both fuchsia and baby pink tones are a perfect mood-lifting clash.

This electric zig zag Missoni print screams summer.  I’m always into orange and fuchsia together.

This bamboo foliate print in a neutral-with-a-twist colour scheme is so elegant and wearable.  The colours are even better up close.

This perfect Pucci palm print is made better with an unpredictable palette. The cinnamon and ochre-mustard colours keep it fashion-y instead of Boca Raton grandmother going to lunch.

This is Missoni magnificence.  And on sale.  I’d like to pick out these colours with a bright long jacket or shoes… and of course jewellery.

I love an oversize skinny 70’s scarf, and this metallic one is seasonless.  Here the mustard colour freshens up a muted colour scheme.

This is reversible, on sale, and just what I’d like to cozy up in next winter! The sludgy greens are a classic Missoni contrast with the hot pink and plum.

Do you love these iconic Pucci and Missoni prints as much as I do, or do you think they are better left in the past?!

Linking to: fashionshouldbefun, notdressedaslamb, style nudge, elegantlydressedandstylish, stylesplash, honestmum, visiblemonday