My top 10 trends for summer...
1. I am loving the idea of cycling shorts for this summer. So wrong in theory but something so lovable about them. Most of us remember them from our school days as a black, shiny, Lycra horror story, but these patterned, lace and sheer beauties could make a great alternative to leggings this summer, or work fabulously layered under short shorts. Team them simply with a long top and some sandals and you are good to go. Here are three of my favourite pairs all from Asos.
Lace Cycling shorts £28 (also available in Ivory)
Sheer Mesh Cycling shorts £48
Motel Baroque Cycling shorts £18
2. Always a lover of play suits and jumpsuits I am happy to see them make a welcome return to the stores. Whether it be a beautiful silk evening look or a casual jersey beach throw over we should all invest in at least one this summer. Dressed up with heels and a jacket, or dressed down with sandals and sunnies, get in on the action. I personally love these little numbers.
Wrap front jumpsuit £95 from Reiss
Cap sleeve playsuit £18 from boohoo.co.uk
3. Taking it to the max. The maxi dress is making a return this summer. For those of us that are not stick thin this is a welcome cover up for us this summer. Still light and airy as well as feminine maxis will be everywhere this season. They can be tricky to pull off but there is a maxi for everyone, no matter your size or height. For maximum flattery think about which colours or patterns suit your skin tone, perhaps consider a three quarter length maxi if the full length drowns you too much. Shop around for different shapes and necklines, and be brave. I will be rocking this catrionarose maxi this summer, modelled here by the beautiful Kate...
Available from catrionarose.com for £45
but I am also loving Olivia Reuben's take on the maxi available at www.oli.co.uk definitely worth a peek.
4. Pastels. Candy pinks, powder blues and just lilacs are everywhere this summer. Pastels can wash some of us out, but if you mix and match you can make them work for you. I find pastels a bit too girlie for my style, so I will be rocking them up perhaps with this tasseled leather jacket from mango. If you are really girlie, this trend will work with your look. Here is my pick of the pastel high street.
Blue ruffle skirt £12 from boohoo.co.uk
'Petal' colour dress £55.90 from Mango (also available in 'cloud' blue)
5.Ditsy floral. Dainty, cute and everywhere this is a trend for the girlie girls. Floral skirts, dresses and long tunics will make this summer feel feminine and fresh. Layer them up with girlie coloured cardigans and top with bows for the ultimate ditsy floral look. Think Luella meets Cath Kidson with a squeeze of bright. If you are not all sugar and spice and want to make this look a little less sweet, mix and match with denim jackets, or biker boots to give it a little punch. Boohoo.com is dripping in ditsy florals and with prices starting from £12, you are likely to find a real bargain.
Topshop have a beautiful corset top for £30 in a ditsy floral print, but if you are on a bit of a tight budget this one from Boohoo.com is very similar and less then half the price...
Ditsy floral corset top from Boohoo.com for just £12
6. Updated preppy. Think pinstripe, brogues, satchels and bows. Jack wills meets Zara meets Banana Republic with a twist of mulberry. I am loving this look, and it is perfect for the work place. Mix blazers with tailored shorts and silk blouses for the perfect city look. Burberry encapsulates everything this trend is but if you can't afford the high end things, here is the pick of the high street for this look.
Tan brogues £54.99 from schuh
'Mid blue adivat shoe' from Faith £60
These shoes fit with this look brilliantly.
Visit www.zara.com, www.radley.co.uk and www.banarepublic.com to shop this trend.
7. African prints and soft safari are everywhere this summer. Dora the explorer meets African princess give a beautiful international look. Simple tunic tops, printed maxis, and harem trousers can be topped with braided bangles, Sapphire beads and head wraps for a gorgeous summer look.
Topshop have a beautiful African maxi dress which sums up the international look perfectly and at £30 its a bargain. Visit www.topshop.com to get a look.
Also worth an investment is this African print dress, £28 from Asos.
Think Alexander McQueen meets high street to get the look.
8.Clean and bright and breezy white. We all remember Blair Waldorf at the white party in gossip girl in a beautiful white dress. This summer we should bear that image in mind and invest in lovely white garden party frocks for summer 2010. Unless you are a super woman, I would not recommend this for everyday wear, white is easily messed with. Keep dress for those early evening cocktail parties and mix white tops with dark bottoms to keep them as clean as possible. Whether it's romantic whites, or bright whites, let all invest this summer.
White foxy dress from Reiss £169
White trousers from Mango £49.90
White lace dress from Mango £69.90
9. Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles. Not just Luella style, but modern, artist ruffles also. Think architecture inspired ruffles, meets cute Luella garden party part ruffles and combine to the max. You don't have to go all out with this trend, as ruffles will speak for themselves, so keep it simple. I think this Miss Selfridge play suit captures this trend perfectly, as do these Luella dresses. If your not that bold, how about a simple Victoria Beckham number, there is a ruffle for everyone.
Lipsy have some beautiful ruffle dresses on their website which I recommend everyone visit, but I also love...
Reiss Katlin dress £169
Ruffle neck dress from New Look £12 also avaliable in different colours
Ruffled blouse from Matalan £16
10.Denim. Ankle length, boy fit, crop jeans, shorts, shirts, jackets, and skirts. Denim is everywhere this summer. Doubled up or single it is an easy way to give that outfit a casual touch. There are s many quirky denim items around at the moment. I am personally loving awkward length jeans with a geeky pristine fold. Traditional Levis just wont cut it any more, here is my pick of the high street.
Iggy Jeans £30 from Asos
Denim waistcoat from Boohoo.com £20
Patchwork denim short playsuit from Asos.com £35
Denim topped dress from Mango £64.90
What ever your style make this summers big trends work for you. Mix and match and shop the high street to get the best bargains out there. Try something new and remember to wear it with confidence, fashion is all about fun so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
-Rhianna.
