Tip-toe Through the Tulips

By Alisa Welch
July 7, 2008

We all know that a bouquet of red roses can only come from a passionate admirer, but did you know that white carnations symbolize scorn or that a sunflower denotes pure and lofty thoughts? These and hundreds of other floral interpretations make up the study of floriography, or the language of flowers. Lovers from ancient Greece through the Victorian age used flowers to convey coded messages of love, and in the frequent case of unrequited affection, a bouquet of daffodils helped to ease the pain of a brush-off.

In the spirit of modern fashion floriography, here’s a guide to interpreting the meanings behind summer’s best flowery sandals. The burgundy rose on Sam Edelman’s silk Perrin thong signifies the wearer is an ‘unconscious beauty’ though it would be hard to sleep through such fabulous footwear. Sketchers’ Sweet Heart sandals are covered in multi-colored forget-me-nots, a sure sign that these charming flats will always be ‘remembered.’ It would be a ‘pleasure’ to slip on Betsey Johnson’s super sassy Clovis pumps decorated with a field of dramatic red poppies.

Celene’s sky-high sandals, with their curved and stacked wood heel, leather straps, and jasmine floral fabric design are the essence of ‘sensuality.’ Daisies denote ‘innocence and purity’ and when applied to Camper’s Ous sandals, they are sporty and fashionable (not to mention insanely comfortable). Deep red roses surround a tattoo-inspired lady on the soles of Ed Hardy’s Woman Rose flip-flops.  While red roses are the classic symbol of ‘I love you,’ a dark red or crimson rose signified ‘mourning’ or ‘bashfulness,’ though only the most adept pupil of floriography could see the difference in these shades of red.

Once you begin to read the language of flowers, fashionable footwear takes on a whole new meaning.  And don’t be surprised if the next time you and your floral print sandals take a tip-toe through the tulips, observant suitors interpret your choice of footwear as a ‘declaration of love.’

Betsy Johnson - Clovis Pump

Show some love for these sexy platform pumps from Betsey Johnson. A flaunted fabric upper is detailed in black with a new age red floral print with a petite peek a boo toe, 1/2 inch patent platform and a sleek 4 1/4 inch cone heel.