When the sun shines, it lifts everything from my mood to my wardrobe. A surefire way to know that spring has arrived is when I swap my woollen overcoat for a lightweight jacket. This weekend, my floral quilted jacket had its first outing of the season, and it felt great. As a die-hard neutrals fan, with barely a whisper of print in my monochrome wardrobe, there must be something magical about this bright jacket for me to be on board with it, and my dedication to it from one season to the next proves what a perfect piece it is.

Like any must-buy item, the best thing about this jacket is its ability to instantly elevate a look. Not only is it the layer you need for chilly spring days, but it adds an extra edge of formality and style to any outfit. Dressing in one hue from top to toe – all black, all white or all denim, for example – is a stylist’s trick to looking instantly put together. It’s also the perfect base to carry a floral top layer without feeling too overdone.

I’ve also been thinking a lot recently about why I dress exclusively in neutrals, and if there’s something a bit sad about that. Of course, I do love a simple, pared-back aesthetic and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but is there also an element of hiding away and going unnoticed at play? My four-year-old daughter loves dressing up, flowery prints and bright, feminine colours, and I used to enjoy this too. I wonder how that joy in dressing got lost somewhere along the way, and while I’ll always love my neutrals, I see no harm in adding a little pizzazz to my day-to-day looks, too.  

Read on for my edit of three of the best floral options that are available to buy now. Guaranteed to lift your look.  

Add To Basket is a franchise from Stylist, headed up by our fashion director, Lucy Reber.

Every two weeks, she’ll zone in on the piece you should be buying and why it’s going to elevate your wardrobe in an instant.

Follow her for more style advice @le_reber.

Images: Victoria Adamson; courtesy of brands