Super charge your summer wardrobe

Tags

80s, Adidas, ankle cowboy boots, arm candy, autumn, big, bright bolds, cats-eye sunglasses, catwalk, chunky, coloured, cool vibe, cropped fitted trousers, cut, dad trainers, denim jacket, dog tooth trousers, dots, Down-to-earth, dress, dresses, Edward Enninfu, Fun florals, gorgeous, grab, granny style cardies, head to toe, High Street, inexpensive, jumpsuits, kudos, length, lightweight trench, luxe track pants, morning after, moulded sports shoes, night before, Nike, patterns, pencil skirts, pink, polka dot, Princess Di, prints, rain or shine, raincoat, shades, shops, sliders, small, Stella MacCartney, stripes, sun, thermals, tops, UK, Vicky B, waist-cinching A-line style, wardrobe, weather, wrap skirt, yellow

The weather is still a little unpredictable on UK shores at the best of time, but it only takes the sun coming out for a couple of hours for us to start putting the thermals away and consider our summer staples.

We have had a look at what’s hot this summer so you can look totally gorgeous come rain or shine.

Go dotty
From the catwalk to the High Street, dots are big (and small) for the summer. Princess Di’s polka dot obsession can be seen on everything from jumpsuits and tops to dresses and pumps and if you have a thing for the ‘80s, they will serve you well.

Bag it up
Forget structured totes, sunny times call for a whole new kind of arm candy. Down-to-earth, inexpensive fabric cross body bags, raffia baskets and string shoppers are slightly retro but come with a cool vibe that will last right thought to the autumn.

Shades
This summer is all about cats-eye sunglasses, and we love them. They are smaller than the Vicky B super-sized sunnies of summers past, but are face-flattering and still big enough to hide the fun of the night before, the morning after.

Cover up
Put the puffa away and when the showers show up, reach in your bag for a lightweight trench or shake things up by going for a bright pink or yellow raincoat for extra kudos. If you want something a little different, the shops are fully of granny style cardies in a range of shades and textures that you can grab as you go.

Go faster
If you haven’t noticed stripes in the shops, where have you been? Go faster blasts, can be seen on everything from dog-tooth trousers to luxe track pants and designer hoodies. Don’t covert the look from head to toe, that would be total totally OTT, but go for one piece and match with bright bolds and you will be leader of the pack.

Dress it up
Summer isn’t summer without at least one new dress in your wardrobe. Fun florals, patterns and prints are all out there, just work out which cut and length is right for you, team with sliders and a denim jacket, and you have a look that even Edward Enninful would approve of.

It’s all about the dad trainers
You might not believe us, but Adidas, Nike and Stella MacCartney are all over the dad trainer this summer. Think chunky, coloured, moulded sports shoes and you have the perfect summer style to match with cropped fitted trousers and floaty pastel dresses.

It’s a wrap
Last but by no means least, we need to talk about the wrap skirt. This versatile staple has made a come-back from 1992 and we like it. Put the pencil skirts away, and swap them for a maxi-wrap in soft jersey, or a waist-cinching A-line style, match with a sharp white tee and you have a celebrity look in seconds.

With a pair of ankle cowboy boots, a dab of peach blush and plenty of sunblock on standby, you are ready to go forth and stand out in the fashion stakes this summer.

Team Pure Beauty

What’s hot for spring?

Tags

1990, 80s, agenda, dresses, fashion, flouncy flats, glittery gladiator sandals, great, grounded, Kate Moss, London, New York, nightwear, outfit, pants, Paris, pedi, pop, pretty, pumps, S/S16, skirts, sky-high heels, slouchy, smile, statement, sun-kissed shoulders, t-shirts, Uggs, wide-leg shape

We don’t know where the cold and wet has gone but winter is over and we can breath a sigh of relief now summer is on the way.

As well as being able to shed puffa coats and Ugg boots, spring also signals exciting new fashions and style. From sun-kissed shoulders showing through lingerie-inspired dresses to classic white shirts, there is something for everyone arriving in the shops.

Pleats please
Pleats aren’t just for girlie girls any more. Designers are transforming silhouettes thanks to pretty pleats that add structure and style. Long flowing skirts and super-cute maxi dresses are appearing in modern shapes and bold patterns and the added drapes means they will flatter every body shape and size.

Off the shoulder
There’s a a nod to the ‘80s on the fashion racks this summer. You may have thought that open, off-the-shoulder look has had it’s moment, but top designers decided it was time to bring them back. Boat neck tops, halter neck dresses and a clever take on the polo shirt are all being seen worn off the shoulder and looking just as avant-garde as they did the first time round.

Romantic ruffles
This season ruffles are big business. You can wear them soft and loose, cascading in tiers and falling in fountains in a multitude of colours and designs. Whether you opt for cotton, suede, silk or raffia the fabric will do all the talking as you look sultry and fashion forward.

The white shirt
Forget city boys and school uniform, white shirts are back in town for the girls this spring. Buttoned up, ruffled, twisted, tied at the tummy or slashed, this classic is a cool staple with serious fashion points to be collected when you pass go.

Pants to that
Nightwear is becoming day wear, underwear is more outerwear and there is certainly a feeling that slips over tees, a la Kate Moss in 1990, are back on the agenda. Go all out for a real statement or match pretty lace vests with black tailoring for a more grounded, classy look.

Glow ahead
The brightest fashion statement this summer is orange. These perky citrus tones are the perfect way to add a little passion to your wardrobe. Go for a bright shirt dress, pretty pumps or a pop of colour with your bag and you will transform your look with chic-ease.

Mesh it up
Here we see fashion going retro once again for S/S16. It’s never been easy to go sporty thanks to the sheer mesh trend that was all over the catwalks of London, Paris and New York. Whilst mesh has athletic roots, this trend has been added to t-shirts, skirts and dresses and offers a totally versatile summer look.

Low slung trousers
Trouser waistlines have dropped dramatically for spring and are being worn resting on the hip. These are perfect for balmy days by the pool and at the beach, for doing yoga and chilling out. Whether you go for silk, cashmere or cotton, opt for sleek styles with a slouchy, wide-leg shape and pair with silver gladiators or ballet flats.

Put your best foot forward
With your pedi done you will need shoes that show off those pretty toes. The good news is you will be spoilt for choice as sky-high heels, glittery gladiator sandals, flouncy flats and stylish trainers are already out on display.

Whatever you do, be confident with your look, wear what makes you feel great and top every outfit with a smile.