An Argument for Ditching Florals This Spring

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It's finally spring in NYC, but the only florals on my radar (and I realize I run the risk of sounding a little too Gossip Girl here) are the tulips lining Park Avenue. After that disgustingly long winter, which required a lot of color to keep spirits up, I appear to be surprisingly content with rediscovering my love of wearing black, white, and denim on repeat.

Nicole and Lauren, my fellow East Coast–based Who What Wear editors, are making a strong case for neglecting floral prints and simply easing into mega-chill monochrome for the coming season. Speaking of mega-chill, we naturally chose the coldest day of the year to shoot these cute snaps in our favorite spring looks (wearing plenty of new-season DKNY) and then wax lyrical about why spring in Manhattan is just so, so good.

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

To avoid looking like a checkerboard, I went for a tonal white-on-white look with touches of black (and gold jewelry for good measure). This crisp palette beats a floral number for spring, especially because the clean lines of this blazer give breezier dresses more structure. Also note that this is the ideal outfit to be worn while sipping watermelon juice on NoLIta sidewalks (unless you're a spiller, in which case, kindly replicate this look in all-black).

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

Nicole, who's into stylishly simple (but never basic) looks throughout the year, is going for the same vibe this spring, only instead of doing black and white, she's keeping her blue jeans in rotation. One thing that will be missing from her look? Mini florals. You can, however, expect to see her in a black belt bag ("to keep my hands free while doing all that walking and beverage-drinking!" she explains). Take a cue from her palette of black and denim by adding chic touches like sporty funnel-neck tops, cat-eye sunnies, stunning mules, etc.

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

Given her status as our resident streetwear-inspired style setter and her a penchant for colorblocked 'fits, it didn't surprise me the least bit when Lauren showed me her B&W outfit for spring. A long-sleeve graphic tee is such a good purchase right now, and it gets even better when you pair it with lady of leisure–like pieces such as this structured white handbag she has aptly declared essential to making your look feel spring-ready. (Also important? A trusted pair of heels.)

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(Image credit: CLIQUE STUDIOS)

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Natalie Cantell
Executive Director, Brand Studio

Natalie leads the style direction for the all content we create in partnership with our friends at various brands plus the legendary team of editors who work on those shoots and stories. She loves collaborating and storytelling, so it's a really fun role for her. It's also the first full-time job she's ever had⁠! She started out in her career as a very mediocre model who agreed to her first styling job to impress a photographer she had a crush on, which led her down a happy path of contributing to Vogue Australia and working as a stylist, fashion writer, and creative director for all sorts of brands and titles. She has a bachelor of communications, but most of her career opportunities came up thanks to some fleeting and accidental street style moments. She's been at Who What Wear for three and a half years and still loves to work as a freelance consultant with brands and designers to shoot their campaigns in NYC. She's originally from New Zealand, and Bondi Beach is her second home, but like just about every other 20-something, she fell in love with New York at some point. She lives in Williamsburg with her fiancé and their weird little dog, Ruby. If you ever need reccies for feel-good fashion, legit coffee spots, politics podcasts, or non-intimidating yoga studios, she's very much your girl.