I have to admit I’m a bit of a florals snob. It’s not that I think I’m above them or anything. It’s just that I feel floral fashions can be difficult to do well. There often are multiple colors that have to work with your coloring, and although I like feminine silhouettes and details, I’ve never considered myself much of a girly girl, garden party type.

That said, Donna Morgan’s jewel-toned floral cocktail dress gets the botanical look just right in my book. The lush brushstrokes of teal, fuchsia, sunset orange and golden yellow give the print an abstract, impressionistic aesthetic that feels exactly like a hazy late summer day just before the leaves start turning. The palette could work well with many skin and hair tones too. I fall somewhere between an autumn and a winter, and these hues compliment either type of coloring. The ultimate result? A fresh and flattering flourishing motif that’s much more painterly than prim and proper.

As far as shape’s concerned, I’m all about the bodice ruching and V-neck since I’m an M with hips fuller than my bust and a straight shoulder line. The function of the ruching for my not-very-buxom figure is pretty self-explanatory, but a V-neckline is great for drawing focus in from the shoulders and upper arms. (Coupled with the full, floaty skirt, this means the dress would flatter a Y as well.) The fabric is also 100% silk, so it won’t add a lot of weight that obscures my subtler curves.

This flirty frock clearly has a summery silhouette (which means I’ll be able to wear it by itself through October here in California), but it could be worn with a cardigan during the fall and spring. Another plus is that it’s easy to dress up or down—the vibrant print makes it appropriate for daytime with sandals, but the silk chiffon and deeper-hued ground allow it to transition into the evening hours.