Let’s all forget about never-ending winter and start thinking about how to fill our summer wardrobe! Designers have doled out a good dose of colour for the warm days ahead – see for yourselves what you’ll be able to wear starting as soon as next month (Mother Nature permitting!).

Boho/’70s

Whether you have a hippie side reminiscent of Anna Sui and Cavalli or more of a bohemian-bourgeois vibe à la Marc Jacobs and D&G, the key is to go retro. The ’70s are back and embodied by a new breed of gypset: a mix of “gypsy” and “jet set,” darling! Inject a touch of craft into your look with crochet, fringes and patchwork.

Romantic/boudoir

Romance was on the runway at both Dolce&Gabbana and Charlotte Ronson in a combination of English embroidery, lace, floral prints and pastels. Don a bustier top, a slip and lots of peach tones and you’ll be all set to skip through the meadows! It’s the perfect trend for the heat waves to come.

Minimalist

The minimalist trend comes back year after year, and this time it takes a page from the ’90s and Calvin Klein. Think bare-bones design, shapeless cuts and unadorned styling. Take a peek at Céline and Stella McCartney for inspiration.

Tribal

For her L.A.M.B. collection, Gwen Stefani went nuts (in a good way) for tribal prints in both her modern, structured pieces and her asymmetrical and tiered dresses. Exotic bright colours and loud prints also graced djellabas at Etro and the body-con styles of Versace. There’s nothing like a little wildness to heat things up!

Sporty

The sporty look is holding strong again on runways this season, though it isn’t always successful in its transition to retail stores. The trend has either translated into techno-materials, in homage to the wetsuit at Marni, or to more straight-up gear that recalls the tennis garb at Tommy.

Urban safari

Travellers will be thrilled to know they haven’t been forgotten for spring! Eminently wearable outfits are paired with utilitarian bags, hats and flat sandals to make for an easy-breezy season for those who combine style with activity. Check out Hermès and Ralph Lauren for inspiration.

Tomboy

Balenciaga and Dsquared2 are turning us into boys this summer. Cue bermudas and men’s shirts – with rolled-up sleeves, of course! Word to the wise: On the Paul Smith runway a feminine touch was added with a pretty pointy-toed shoe.

Whiter than white

Everyone went with white this season (Rag & Bone, Hermès, Chloé), either in part or as a total look. When you think that even the prince of darkness (all-things-black Alexander Wang) focused on white and pastels this season, it’s clear this is a monster trend!

Flashy and fluorescent

While white was all the rage on the runways in September, its counterpart (colour) made quite a coup too. Miu Miu, Sonia Rykiel and Burberry (among others) all worked with fabrics in completely Kung Pow hues. Even those among us who are hooked on neutrals have to admit it’s a trend that’s plain eye candy!

Eastern promises

Vuitton set its sails for Asia this spring, which is a trend we haven’t seen in a while. Think nouveau kimonos, mandarin-collared shirts and fans that serve as accessories. Paul Smith played the part by using floral-printed satins, while Dries Van Noten made a collection of very pretty robe dresses.

Satin

Satin is the new velvet! Burberry, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney and Lanvin are only a few that are having their way with the shiny fabric. Far from restricted to evening dresses, it’s now perfect worn in a combination of pants, tunics or pretty summer dresses.

Source from: http://www.louloumagazine.com/english/fashion/fashion_gallery/article.jsp?content=20110214_144017_14696&page=12

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