What to wear?

The looks for Summer Fashion 2008 - From runway to your way

After consideration of the many fashion themes featured in runway shows from Paris to New York, we have selected to highlight the two most dominant:

• Floral
• Classic Black & White

FLORAL

‘I say…swing into flowers’

The trend:

Flowers as a summer fashion direction are something we’re more than familiar with! This year, the theme has been elevated to new heights.
Every kind of fabric imaginable has been printed with flowers. Dramatic. Bold. Pretty. Electric colour. Pastel. Tailored. Floaty. Sheer. There’s a look and style to suit everyone.

From Paris to Milan and across to London, the key look that bloomed on Europe’s fashion catwalks was floral. French fashion house Louis Vuitton took inspiration from the 1950s with full, floral skirts while British designer Stella McCartney sent whimsical wildflowers down the runway in the form of feminine, 1970s-inspired dresses.

Creating the season’s key trend will be simple thanks to the dazzling array of floral dresses available at most fashion retailers. There will be one to suit every shape and size, from the leg-baring mini-dress to the floor-sweeping maxidress.

But if you think that’s where it all ends…you’ll find flowers woven into hair, floral themes in the most ‘over-the-top’ shoes, flowers woven between fingers and toes, even jewellery has taken on floral overtones and as for handbags, appliqués’ the next big thing!

If full-on floral isn’t your thing, keep on trend by accessorising with a bloom clutch and matching sling-back heels or try adding some flowers to your hair.
A spritz of your favourite floral perfume will put the joie de vivre in your summer step.

In summary, everyone has a favourite flower and this summer, you can wear it too!

BLACK AND WHITE

‘I say…Cruise into black & white’

The trend:

This look is all about style, cut, form and shape.

Black and white is back on the fashion colour palette and brings sophistication to summer dressing. First seen on the catwalks of Milan, designers like Miu Miu turned up the heat with a monochrome, French maid-look while Versace and Dolce & Gabbana sexed it up with black shorts and miniskirts teamed with sheer white tops.

Dresses feature black and white prints that elegantly drape all shapes and sizes. Blouses are sheer and low cut. Lightweight jackets and vests nip in at the waist and pants are worn baggy but cut in true Hepburn style.

It’s the sophisticated end of summer dressing that draws inspiration from the 20’s and 30’s where putting your best fashion foot forward was the fashion essential. Whilst somewhat structured for a summer fashion look, it also has a casual side to its personality.

To get the look, invest in a fitted black tuxedo jacket and layer it over a dress, basic tank or crisp white shirt teamed with this season’s trousers or miniskirt. To finish, deep berry-red lips are a must.

Hats are also a feature of this look, making a statement as much as on the practical side of keeping the sun off one’s face! Accessories mirror the theme but give way to the odd colour punctuation that’s primarily red…or pink…or blue…or whatever takes your fancy really!