Here is a review of the important fashion looks for the
spring summer season of 2011. This article describes in
detail the main styles
in dresses, footwear, bags, jewellery and other women's fashion
accessories.
Even more than previous years, the summer of 2011 offers a
variety fashion of fashion for all
shapes and sizes of women.
Fashion
styles
in Summer 2011 focus on colour
blasts of block colours. This growing fashion trend may even be going in the direction of 'top-to-toe colour' outfits. Pretty and decorative is fused with utility and minimal for
Spring/Summer 2011. Skirt hemlines are dropping and
trousers are getting wider; both contrast with colourful cropped pants such
as cropped bright pink trousers. These
skirt and pant silhouette trends are complemented by the return of
beautiful blouses and the tunic. Denim fabric is strong again
and so are white pieces, especially in lace. Below-the-knee dress
styles feature more innovative designs and maxi dresses
remain popular. Ballet looks embrace blush tones.
One of most commercial fashion trends in UK of 2011 is new retro 1970s. Nouveau 1970s embraces florals,
flares, fantasy prints and fuller sleeves.This
look was seen in the flowing purple wide pants at Marc Jacobs
(above right) and is a natural follow-on from the numerous Boho
style elements so beloved by British women. Above Left - Biba Tunic
and Hat at House of Fraser.
A fashion trend that is
establishing itself, is that of the concept of 'forever
fashion.' All-in-all this year there is wearable fashion
for every girl and woman whatever her age.
The next time you see a fashionable 2011 skirt, observe how the hemline
silhouette follows the 1970s look of longer dropped hemlines
and wider pants. In the twentens over-the-knee hemlines pay homage
to the current recession. Also look out for 1970s lines in tunic
tops, they are a little longer than last year. Note the attention directed to
feminine blouson tops and wistful ethereal dreamy looks.
There are plenty of alternatives to the longer
lengths, but long and longer lengths were displayed too often in shows to
dismiss this silhouette trend. Micro minis say bye bye, evening luxe and daytime elegance
say hello to a decade of style starting right now in 2011 and
going on into fashions for 2012.
Right - 1970's Retro Blue Denim Skirt - House Of Fraser.
Expect some fashion silhouettes that take a
cue from the costume history fashion style of movie mania in the
eras of 'The
King's Speech' or mini TV series such as 'Boardwalk Empire'.
It's Handcrafted quality work
that gives an accessory its must-have
desirability. This is evidenced in minimalist finely
crafted handbags that are ultra subtle in their simplicity of
tasteful design.
Gucci always uses the finest artisan craft skills to show
Italian workmanship to the best. The Gucci
catwalk collection opened with slim skirts in jewel colours.
These were followed by safari jackets, crafted sandy leather
pieces, macramé and tassels showing Gucci workmanship to teasing
effect. Sporty looks were added with satchel bags and other
accessory
pieces which gave a commercial nod to tribal trends.
The palate cleanser collection from Dolce & Gabbana collection
was also full of fine crafted
handwork incorporating lace, silk and appliqué, crochet bags
and broderie anglaise. This was contrasted with some leopard/lace print or black pieces. The fashion elements were imbued with quality and subtle handwork
giving an
understated glamour to gowns.
All this artisan workmanship is costly, so fashion needs to be
savoured and slow down for us to truly appreciate these items
are made to last. Forever Fashion beckons the recession
challenged shopper who now demands product excellence as well as
sartorial satisfaction in their purchases.
The top women's fashion trends focus is on brilliant and bold colour.
Closely followed by, floral prints,
minimalist neutrals and white, 1970's glam retro. Then
there are romantic
blouses perhaps with ballerina transparency and lace. To
complete the ensemble the 2011 fashion is for wider trousers,
fuller skirts and dresses. Retro elements of 1970s fashion styles make this
a huge commercial trend for summer 2011. Blue and indigo denim
is strong in all garment pieces especially 70's skirts and
jackets.
1 - SUMMER 2011 COLOUR TRENDS VIBRANT TOP TO TOE
COLOUR AND COLOUR BLOCKING - COLOUR WHEEL BRIGHTS.
Experiment with zingy
vivid bright colours. Electric shock colours excite.
Try head to
toe brights. In the main colour blocking is not for
shrinking violets. But if you choose carefully you can capture the mood without the discord. Colour clashing,
neon nightmares, extreme wide bands of colour or vibrant
harmonic colour mixes can all be pulled off this season. Chose the combo
of colour popping tones that suits you best. AEGEAN SEA BLUE - All the blues but especially turquoise and KLEIN BLUE dominate. Denim is back as blue as ever and sometime
metallic printed. Note that blue acts as a complementary hue to orange
corals. RASPBERRY RED - CORAL RED - HONEYSUCKLE PINK.
These reds offer some of the
hottest colours that move to vibrant oranges. TANGERINE - ORANGE - CORAL TONES. Whole looks are based
on orange tones especially in leather. Note the Hermes orange
tan colours and clean camel leather of bags in rich tan that have tooling, threaded
whipped leather and studs. Some bags are relaxed by
drawstring duffle effects. This year a very natural
leather look is proving popular. NEON FLASH COLOURS.
Here we see shocking pink, lime green, hot
orange, electric violet and acid yellow. Shocking neon
pink/orange may be scary, but expect to ease into brights
via coral and honeysuckle pink in 2011. Centre - New Look
Salmon Top/ Sequin Embellishment £26.99/€34.99, Coral
Silk Harems - Tie Waist £21.99/€29.99. Right - New
Look Pink Lace Top £21.99/€29.99, Bright Pink Capri Pants
£17.99,€24.99.
2 - PRINTS FLORAL, FRUITY, HIPPY & PUCCI PRINTS - These
mimic 1970s
fashion as wide flared trousers and easy tops. The floral
blouse is the perfect entrance into flower fabrics for the
wary. Pastoral chic and petal power. Note D&G's wide leg pants
worn with T-Shirts and floral blossom silk maxi dresses.
Of course flowered bags,
shoes and purses abound as do
separate floral corsage pieces. Check Vivienne Westwood
floral boots at Red Label, Paul Smith floral flat loafers,
ditzy flower print flat brogues from Kenzo and floral courts
with gathered uppers and flowered wedge shoes all from Dolce
and Gabbana. Left
- Ditsy Print Blouses from SS 2011 United Colors of
Benetton. Liberty even has ditzy print floral framed sunglasses and a
floral watch strap with floral face to its watch. Note garden
party ice cream colours for tea dresses and find many a maxi
skirt that blooms. As winter becomes a distant memory choose darker florals; and as spring moves to summer pick brighter lighter
florals. CLUB TROPICANA - Fruity exotic prints and acid bright
exotic colours bring the tropics home. This is 'Hawaii Five O'
with luxury languid liquid-like fabrics of silk and satin. Fruit prints are a trend you may prefer to keep in your
kitchen, although Miu Miu's melon slice crystal clutch bag
is stunning, as are many of the large tote canvas fruit
printed beach bags. Think Pina Colada ambience, but in
fabric print. Closely allied to this trend note dominance of cork,
raffia, tie dye, coloured beading, fringe and leather
mixtures or trimmings. WATERCOLOUR & DIP TIE DYE EFFECTS.
New Look have
frocks that can look as hot as those from D&G. Tie
dye and ikat dye print fabrics work well in Aegean and navy
blues. GRAPHIC PRINTS.
Calligraphic script
patterns and
doodle scribbles worked in black and white/ivory/cream are
abstract in nature and make a good buy now as the font form
motif has been featured by designers for Fall/Winter
2011.
3 - NEUTRALS - MINIMALIST NEUTRALS - GREAT LAYERING COLOURS - oyster
pink,
taupe, eau de nil to softest white. WHITEWASH - SUMMER WHITES.
Look for the ultimate whites in general and the summer white sundress
in particular. Just one
hundred years since Edwardian summer whites were all the
rage, Dolce & Gabbana showed a range of white-work pieces
that covered feminine, chic and impeccably stylish luxury
lace. Check whites that are clinically crisp, cool and
minimal. Look no further than Alberta Ferretti and the
luxury of delicate white on white gowns reminiscent of
Edwardian summer gowns, but in Isadora Duncan style. Whites
equal super fresh 'idyllic' summer day dressing. Centre -
Dolce&Gabbana Whites. Right - Giles Ballet Dress.
4 - TOP TREND - PRETTY BALLERINA - This look
loves soft light flesh pink bags, pink tulle, pink belts; at
Chloe, Hanna MacGibbon concentrated on neutral ballet
inspired looks. Think ballerina pastels, and pretty tints of
nude, cafe-au-lait and blush which all help achieve the
understated 'I have taste+money' look - especially
if the material is floaty chiffon or silk. The fabric is often
pressed into pleats, concertina pleats, Fortuny pleats or sunray
pleats. Balance ballerina looks with good jewellery such as
diamond brooches and drop necklaces. Check out styles from Miu Miu and tutu dresses, such as this one by Giles far
right.
5 - TOP TREND - BEAUTIFUL BLOUSES - FLOATY CHIFFON
TOPS. The perfect blouse combines elegance and
feminine frou
frou. Salvatore Ferragamo have created a blouse touched by
perfection with its dainty pin tucks and graceful fabric
folds. Meanwhile French Connection has tops/tunics
with gathered elasticated gypsy necklines. The pussy bow blouse so often revived by
designers has suddenly taken off. It looks terrific with 1970s
flares. Assess for yourself the poet blouse style and gypsy gathered neckline
blouson smocks. These blouse samples follow the neutral
trend. Near Right - Button Front Lace Shirt £38 - Lipsy SS11
Clothing Far Right - Tie Neck Shoulder Frill Bell Sleeve Blouse
£42/€54.60 Lipsy Spring Summer 2011 Clothing -
www.lipsy.co.uk .
6 -TOP TREND - 1970S GLAM GEAR - Think high
stacked platforms flowers and flares. Check - MISSONI STYLE ZIG ZAG KNIT
PATTERNS. But this retro 1970s
version is far more bewitching than the fashions of the real
1970s. Costlier fabrics
together with cunning cutting revives
this fashion era into a slinky fluid look that is almost
futuristic. Fashion history has never looked so good as this
retro version. Glam Rock Chicks NEVER DIE!
7 - TOP TREND - WIDE PANTS FLARED LEG PANTS.
Trousers have taken on a 1970s silhouette, with wide flared Palazzo pant legs
worked in every fabric from washed silks to floral viscose
prints. This broad flare leg shape also features in other pant forms
such as jumpsuits and flared skirt like shorts. TROUSER SUITS.
And for an 80's note consider wearing
a snugger top beneath a trouser suit. Instead of a blouse,
choose a close fitting body as outerwear thus redefining the
streamlined look. JUMPSUITS, HALTER PANTSUITS add
sophistication to all-in-one trouser dressing. PLAYSUITS & DUNGAREES
are playful adding tomboy; nevertheless you will still see girly looks that are laid
back for relaxed summer dressing. SHORTS. Smart or casual shorts are not
as brief as those Kylie Minogue wears. Many shorts use floral materials or animal skins. Check -1970s style retro suede and leather shorts which
almost serve as lederhosen. FLARED SKORTS - Some flared shorts are more
akin to skorts. Right - Marks & Spencer High Summer Wide Leg Trousers
£49.50,
Snakeskin Bikini Top £19.50 and Lace Waistcoat £39.50.
8 - DRESSES THE DRESS - FULLER SKIRTS -
Skirt separates
and skirts on dresses have
more prom fullness at the waist and lengths are dropping.
SILHOUETTE DRAPERY DRESSES - Side swathe drapery in
dresses continues, and to this add a new 1950s 'Mad Men' feature
of button wrap skirts and border print dirndls. Plenty of
dresses are sleeved. Drapery is still a big fashion trend
and now cowls are making real impact in silk chiffon and
Ponte jersey. Glamour jet-set chic glamour is slick,
colourful, elegant and stylish with lots of drapery. MAXI DRESSES.
You will find great 1970s retro
in the maxi dress. Maxis take tropical prints very well due
to the larger canvas the longer length. Jumpsuits have become glamorous and
seem to morph into maxi dresses when abstract
prints give the garments palazzo pants fuller style. Border
Print Details. Above Centre - Love Miss Daisy Vintage Skirt. Bottom
Right - 50's Floral Full Skirt €17 - Penneys (Ireland)
Spring 2011 Womenswear.
9 - TEXTURE & CONTRAST - LOOK FOR LACE,
TRANSPARENT MATERIAL AND LEATHER SKINS. LACE DRESSES. Lace is used to make complete dresses. Luxe lace. Black lace, Chantilly lace, Austrian,
Brussels and Guipure
lace. Sometimes lace is coloured and red or green lace takes
over from black lace on coloured linings. LACE BAGS
-
White lace handbags complete the summer white look from
Dolce & Gabbana. TRANSPARENCY - Look for gauzy chiffon, sheer fragile
transparent fabrics, peek a boo lace. Note the use of ultra
feminine lace on tunic or dress edges. There is huge
variety in lace, from
white, neutral to
bright red lace. You can also choose
from a range of lace worked in
prints rather than lace constructed fabrics.
SUEDE AND LEATHER - CHECK LEATHER DRESSES, SOFT SUEDE
SHIRTDRESSES. STRIPES, DECKCHAIR STRIPES, NARROW STRIPES, WIDE BLOCK STRIPES
in white and block colours in strong hues are used
for jackets, tops dresses and
skirts. Stripes feature red
with pink, pink/white, blue/white stripes are common themes. Striped
trims appear on sunglasses, shoes and scarf wrist bands. If you can't run to Prada's candy stripes, then try NEXT'S
striped garments in light pink tones/ taupe/black mixtures or the M&S Autograph range.
Left - Catwalk Fashion.
Right - M&S Autograph Dress.
10 - ACCESSORY FASHION TRENDS FOOTWEAR - GLADIATOR SANDAL VARIATIONS OR WEDGES.
Especially note the variety of PLATFORMS, from raffia layers, wooden heels,
to REPTILIAN PRINT FOOTWEAR featuring frou frou
flowers. Cut-out mesh leather is applied to
trouser boots making them more suited to summertime.
Floral
sandals high can be either high or low. There are also cubist effects
in squared off
1970's block heels. Look out for black
suede with gold embroidery and rich ARGYLE diamond patterns
reminiscent of a Pierrot outfit. Riviera stripe candy
colours mix with cork wedges. Ribbons, ties, rope all wind their
way over legs.
Check out hand worked punched leather and suede
basket weave areas in sandals. Note the decorative roses,
floral corsage and rosette trims that add a girly touch
perfect for summer. Spotted shoes have perhaps a spotted tassel fringe whilst
others have studs to outline wedges with watercolour dye
effects.
PPQ have worked with OFFICE
FOOTWEAR to design some richly
coloured Marrakech inspired shoes.
Matchy-matchy means
colourful footwear is very strong this summer. These bright
saxe blue gladiator sandals easily inject a pop of uplifting
accessory colour to an all white look. The gladiator sandal
is a true fashion trend that has spanned several years, each
year gladiators reinvent themselves with minor tweaks which
magically
update this look. Right - Embellished Blue Gladiator Sandal
- www.bonprix.co.uk.
CONTRAST PIPED HANDBAGS. Note
the fashion trend for contrast piped bags, streamlined frame
squared handbags, smaller more ladylike bags, clutch bags, saddle bags and
satchels. Gardening inspired tote sack bag shoppers feature
florals. COLOURED WATCHES, WIDE COLOURFUL BELTS. Check
out Gucci's gold snakeskin wide belt with tassel trim. Wide
wrap Obi belts add eastern panache. FLORAL WEAR- Flower patterns dictate the fabrics in use
and expect to see FLORAL Underwear, PJS, nightwear,
sunglasses, scarves, footwear and umbrellas all utilising
organic forms to bring the garden into your suitcase. ROSES, FLOWER FORMS & PRINT PATTERNS -
Roses are everywhere. Femininity is back and frou
frou is evident in frills and appliquéd rosettes. There are
decorative rose belts, neckline floral decorative trims,
roses on shoes and cabbage roses on prints. Right - Rose
Pastel Ballerina Pink Shoes by NEXT SS2011. Centre - Corsage Flower Toe-post Sandal by Dune.
The underlying trend for the new twentens decade shows women are relearning the concept of
glamour.
The fashion mood is changing and women have begun to discover understated, but
contemporary fashion of ageless design. The newest fashion trend
is to concentrate on buying apparel
that can fit seamlessly into an existing wardrobe. Designers
have begun to understand the need and desires of an older
demographic. That same woman has real spending power and she
will return season after season for desirable wearable fashion
pieces. Designers are acknowledging their customers needs in
more than one way. At Burberry Christopher Bailey has explained how he is aware that a global customer
in USA or Australasia needs to be accommodated with collections that are trans seasonal.
This is also the year when the average British bra size moved
up to 36E, so what woman would not be happy to find some pieces
that are wearable season after season. Hunting for the perfect
fitting garment for a beautiful full busted silhouette takes time and
passion.
TOP TREND TIP 1- LONGER SILHOUETTE - A Softened Romantic Silhouette - Longer
Skirts - Maxi and Calf Length Skirts - Longer Tunics.
Shape and silhouette can be a tricky trend. Look for newer mid
length skirts, but also see too how many short hemlines are
available. Calf length dresses skirts are belted 'New Look'
Style. Then there is drama and contrast such as that of skater skirts to
ballerina calf length as
favoured by Richard Nicoll.
TOP TREND TIP
2 - FULLER SLEEVE SILHOUETTE - Note
billowing fullness especially in sleeves. Blouses focus on billowing 1970s sleeves with flop and have
a pussy bow, frilled fronts or peasant smock necklines.
Left -
River Island SS2011 Tuck/Lace White Summer Blouse, Red Wide
Pants.
TOP TREND TIP 3 - LOOSER PANTS SILHOUETTE -
Trousers have
widened substantially and the wide 1970s flared
palazzo pant is the new pant of 2011.
The louche silhouette of trousers and layering tops gives a
messy silhouette that is flowing and relaxed, and which is in
total contrast to the new move to the more directional defined
shapely silhouette.
TOP TREND TIP 4 - SHAPELY SILHOUETTE - At Rodarte for example, firm
moulded shapes outweighed
deconstructed looks.
Despite the wider pant leg development, narrow Capri pants
and paper bag waistline top trousers are in great demand for
summer wear.
TOP TREND TIP 5 - ALL-IN-ONE SILHOUETTE - The
flare fullness in pants also adds another
dimension to a micro-trend which has slowly been growing. In 2010
high street collections offered perhaps one or two jumpsuit
varieties. This year expect to be able to select an all in one
from half a dozen or more styles in each shop.
The 70s cat-suit comeback
is now full on. This garment is sometimes called a jumpsuit and
often named all-in-ones. Casual day versions are playsuits
cropped at calves or above knee and there are also more utilitarian dungarees. Whatever the piece is called each garment is ultimately an all-in-one.
Expect to be wowed by dazzling brights and neon bold colours - colours of the
rainbow push black to the background. Paint box pops of colour
make the sludge colours from a Dutch oil painters palette look
dull. From sorbet soft shades to striking sunrise colours expect
to be able to find colours that update your wardrobe in a way
not seen in the last decade.
Contrasting combinations are desirable as you navigate
the colours of 2011. Colour is vivid, very vivid. Papal
purple and other energized hues such as green and bubbling
orange compete with inky blues and subtler neutrals.
This is a look that makes real impact and will get you noticed
in a crowd. A leader in this field is the fashion icon Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II, a woman who needs to be seen, and does so brilliantly by using top-to-toe colour.
RASPBERRY RED AND CORAL RED - The red range is fruity think
nectarine and pomegranate pinks. Coral pink, shrimp pink and
honeysuckle pink reign with citrus and summer fruits taking
charge. Checks and wide stripes play their part.
Tangerine Tones - LADY MARMALADE GETS HOTTER
Think about the tints flowing on from light red and coral. Now
move toward adjacent warmer colours and think about the whole
orange range, from burnt orange and carrot red, through to tangerine
and golden
apricot peach. Ombre effects are an extension of colour
blocking, but a softer way of positioning the colour changes -
think now of the bloom on a nectarine, imagine the rich mixed blush of a blood orange
or the rich golden
tones of an apricot.
Orange, tangerine, yellow and lemon add a fresh buzz to
fashion prints and solid colour clothing.
Above Left - Monsoon - Era - S/S 2011 Orla Red Evening Dress
853100 £190 - Stockist Tel: 08448110068.
Right - Betty Jackson at Debenhams - Colour Block Dress £65/€98.
Red Check Dress - Dolce&Gabbana Catwalk.
The dominant fashion colour ways are those of sky and sea
blue. Indeed, in this 2011 season all the blues, cerulean,
cornflower, electric blue, Gitanes blue, turquoise and very blue denim
are prominent. Check out the Prada royal blue clutch purse and the richest
draped ruched Sea Green bag at Miu Miu.
Fashion designers are employing neon brights which dazzle boldly
especially when used with block colours and Ombre
effects. These colour schemes give 2011 shocks of fashion colour. Right - Paris White Blazer, Electric Blue Mischa Top £29.99.
Violet Hareem Trousers £29.99, Mustard Court Shoes £64.99 - All River
Island SS11 Womenswear.
This new shock of colour
blasting is counterbalanced by more conservative styling and
lengths.
The catwalk colour combination in the below knee outfit is the clear inspiration for the River Island SS 2011
summer kit far left. Look twice at colour combos when shopping,
while it might be a simple spring weight tweed, the colour will
be brilliant. Or it might be a very slim belt, but the colour will
be fluorescent and hot and a very unexpected colour mix.
Even finer detail is that of a mere smidgen of colour as
a finely piped
edge on a handbag, but the contrast will not be safe, but bold and vivid.
A typical colour scheme might also include pink,
magenta, citrus lime and black and soon make clashing paint
box colours. The opaque top and lemon cropped pants are also by River Island.
Fortunately choice is huge and Spring 2011 colour also offers
soft ice cream colours and ladylike retro. For even more subdued
colour than sorbet soft tones, the neutrals are at hand for those who
cannot cope with colour clashes.
Clean white, tan or black can easily tone down any shades
which are too daringly bright
at first attempt. And of course hot bright colours always look
far more acceptable on bright sunny days whether its
Californian, Far Eastern, African, Mediterranean or Australian
light.
Palette cleansing white is refreshing against so much
strident shocking colour, and these items below show how the use
of white for summer can be as sharp and business like as you
desire, or as soft, feminine and casual as required.
These colours in the strip below are pantone's selection of
fashion colours for summer 2011. They are shown in full on the
Spring Summer
20011 Pantone colour page.
Colours can shock when they are brightly mixed up. Yellow,
lemon, butter and citron add acid sharpness to red, teal or
turquoise. A brave fashionista would take it one step
further into fluorescence, and thus create a look that will truly turn
heads. Chose your colours wisely when working with fluoro colours
- to garner compliments rather than cutting remarks make
sure the tone suits you. For more colour fashions see the
Colour Block
Fashion and
Blue Ming Chinoiserie Fashion page.
Lace
was very popular last year especially over contrast linings.
Lace continues as a prominent fabric trend,
what you will notice in 2011 is that lace has
become crustier and crustier. Think delicate, but textural
Chantilly lace, imagine thick crunchy guipure and Austrian
lace.
Designers currently have a fascination with
these three factors:
texture and contrast, smooth and shiny, rough and raised
textiles. One easy way to adopt this trend quickly is with accessories.
For example, get a bag that features lace or lace laser, or
shoes that utilise lace overprinting or burnout texture.
These gorgeous guipure lace shoes are from River
Island. Right - Lace Platform Shoes - Jemima Platform £100 -
River Island SS11 WW Accessories - Stockist Number: 0208 991
4904.
Left - A beautiful lace tunic dress from River Island. This lace
creation is spot on in capturing the 1970s mood.
Dolce and Gabbana
featured lace in their bags for Summer 2011.
Early 90s minimalist white uses clean
lines and crisp white lines, this look returns in 2011 to make a white shirt and white
body a must have again.
Along with the soft and calmer neutrals of flesh and buff/taupe tones, white
is also fashionable, see below. Dolce and Gabbana always
do summer
whites so well. Feminine, vintage and ultra modern womanly looks
combined to create clothes that were desirable and perfect for
hot summer days.
Above Left - Dolce&Gabbana Summer Whites Catwalk
Fashion Summer 2011
Centre - M&Co Boutique Broderie Tunic £40 - M&Co SS11 Womenswear
Above Right - Monsoon Ivory Lace Tunic £250 S/S 2011- Monsoon
Stockist Number: 08448110068.
This white lace tunic dress garment is perfect relaxed occasion
wear for the bride at a beach wedding.
Broderie anglaise and summer whites in crusty
lace dominated the Dolce and Gabbana Spring Summer 2011 shows.
There were crunchy white guipure lace bags. White lace was featured
hugely not just in apparel, but in accessories such as lace white bags.
Dolce and Gabbana excelled at producing a new take on white
lace where the sweetness and innocence meant that such luscious
crunchy crusty lace fabrics needed little more than a simple
shape to show the designs off to perfection.
Recognise that in 2011, lace is not only available in more
traditional black, white or ivory cream, but also comes in
interesting colours, especially deep coffee cream, flesh pink black,
bright green, blood orange or red.
It doesn't matter which city or which part of the world you
live in, the neutral palette won't go away. Neutrals
translate best in natural material such as toned hemp and
linen knits, or double faced linens. Chiffon and viscose also
give this colour way a summery feel.
The neutral fashion palette for 2011 takes in cappuccino
shades from milky creams to dark roasted coffee beans. You
will also see frocks with flair in a range of colour from the dark inky
black of mushroom gills, to the palest soft pinks. Buff
hues are becoming the new black!
Buff neutral colours of flesh and nude tones are the favoured colour of
those with taste and a love of expensive materials. These are
the tones that look wonderfully expensive when made up in
trouser suits, palazzo pants and silky evening gowns. Buying
into the concept of soft flesh, buff, cafe-au-lait and taupe
tones will help develop a closet of pieces that takes on relaxed
understated luxury with ease. For wardrobe planning such colours
work so well with black or white, navy, olive or red pieces that
you already have.
Above Right - NEXT Mink Ditsy wide Leg Trousers. Whilst this
is not a match-matchy trouser suit the overall impression is
that this is a coordinated outfit and it acts in a similar way
to a pants suit, but is much less formal giving more casual wear
options. So often now we associate trouser suits with business
wear.
The leather outfit trend is a hard reaction to the soft floating
dreamy dresses and ballerina romance currently found in dress. At anytime in fashion history there is always an alternative for
the woman who hates frilly or feminine.
»
Left - Sleek Chic Autograph Leather
Dress.
Summer Punk is chic with leather looks that sport studs on biker
jackets. Appliqué leather jackets from Miu Miu spread creativity
in leatherwork. Rock inspired heavily studded cropped luxe biker
jackets from Burberry Prorsum add glam biker chic which is
always in fashion. The Balmain collection explored 1980s punk
using the obvious elements of safety pins and leather. Shorter
jackets have biker appeal. For biker jackets Burberry and Pinko
both have designs that will be vintage of the future.
For Spring/Summer 2011 washed silks, silk charmeuse, viscose, organza, flowing silk
chiffons are all used to make light as air
dreamy hazy summer day and evening dresses. Lightness and transparency, especially in voiles and chiffons
emphasise the mood of 1970s flowing dresses. Light-as-air,
otherworldly draping
blouses and undulating hemline kimono tops of various lengths
make their mark on Summer Trends 2011. If you like the ultra
light fabrics of translucent tulle flowing silk and chiffon,
then you will also appreciate the
tactile, knobbly cloque and shiny satin, all of which are
mesmerizing in surface quality.
Headstrong print is kaleidoscopic and comes in many forms, but print is
here with verve for Spring Summer 2011.
Prints divide into,
animal, tribal, Ming, graphic, geometrics, stripes, spots and floral. Floral
print subdivides further into botanical based tropical oversized
flowers, back down to dime size and pinhead flower forms.
Summer
fabric trends include a banquet of flowers, from ditzy pinhead
flowers and borders to hot house botanical prints that are as inviting as a
tropical paradise. These lovely ditsy print blouse are from
Benetton and they are full on retro 1970s when teamed with the
floppy70s hats.
Wear your hat with wide voluminous hair or sleek and super
smooth stylish cuts. Tight buns, updo, hair rolls and big
hair all follow the hair mood of 2011. Seek out costumier trims - cowboy, bowler, toreador sailor
hats and 1970s brimmed sunhats. Wear these alone or with silk
headscarves, big plastic frame sunglasses add celebrity and movie star style.
The Summer 2011 designer fashion catwalks were awash
with floral based fabrics and accessories. Abstract organic and
idealised oversize blooms also contrast with pinhead plants.
Faded floral bloom prints, supersized flowers, hydrangea
blossoms and garden
party summer borders are as visible as the prints of hot house
plants and rare tropical flowers. Plant forms wow
with statement making bold botanical splurges of impact.
These are
not simply flowers, but giant hothouse jungle flowers sometimes as large as a
serving platter with a trail as tall as the wearer. The
greenhouse
blooms brim with joie de vivre. Leaf trails take you both into
the conservatory and the wild flower meadow.
Painterly watercolour florals where intense vivid colour
flows
into itself creating inkblot like shapes, have an air of spontaneity in the
decorativeness of the splashy prints. The designs are so gorgeous, that
any artist would be thrilled to have painted some of the fabrics
used in summer's fashion apparel.
Left - Kaleidoscopic Print Maxi Dress - River Island High
Summer 2011- Stockist Number: 0208 991 4904
www.riverisland.com.
Right - This occasion wear abstract print maxi dress is by
nationwide UK Retailer M&Co. M&Co Boutique Wow Maxi Dress £100 -
M&Co SS11 Womenswear -
Stockist Tel: 0800 0317 200.
For innovative prints try the designs at TopShop where prints
designed by Mary Katrantzou will give the bold among you real
print power.
The grand art oils and watercolour theme continues through
into fruit bowl still-life arrangements, the result is 'Mad Men' inspired
early 1960s young starlet full dirndl skirt dresses. Many designers including
Stella McCartney, Moschino, Prada and YSL thought it was time
for tutti frutti fashion and a little bit of Carmen Miranda
homage.
The glory of fruits with some as luscious as a painting from a
famous art collection was evidenced in designs featuring
mouth-watering reminders of the beauty of these everyday raw
foodstuffs we take
for granted. Then of course there are the prints with repeat
fruit motifs, which in creation are as primitive in form as a potato print.
New Look is another high street and online retailer which has
inexpensive skirts and tops that feature lemons with contrasting bold green
foliage. Cherries and other fruits always add the novelty effect
in fruit prints which ape 1950s/60s
'Mad Men' dresses. These two high street pieces
shown left, capture
the look at a fraction of the catwalk price.
Above Far Left - Primark Lemon Print Sundress £9 and
Sunglasses £2, both Primark Summer 2011 - Primark Stockist Number: 0118 9606
300.
Above
Far Right - A|wear Womenswear - Tribal Print Dress €45/£40 A|wear Womenswear Stockist Number: 00 353 1 4724900.
Above
Left - Geri Halliwell for NEXT - NEXT Animal Print Peasant
Blouse Top Beach Kaftan £30.
Tropical flora and fauna prints can also have a primitive
tribal stencil quality. At Prada for Summer 2011 we saw monkey prints and
elsewhere decorative designs of butterflies
and orchids.
Desert tribes have been used to generate rich primitive and
naive patterns that can only be described as 'Tribal Prints'.
Also all the associated colour ways of African earth ochre
browns have been a true
trend of the late noughties and they satisfy those women who
like prints, but hate floral fashions. Tribal prints in desert
mufti hues adapt well to
working situations and holidays in hot dusty countries.
Primitive motifs combined in chevron arrangements give more
rigid form to these tribal patterns and create integral borders
within negative and positive motif positions. All hint at the
natural colours found in the mineral in the soil, clays and mother nature earth.
This tribal fashion trend works it way into that old
favourite - the animal print. Perfect for the nightclub, perfect
for the beach the animal print has become such a classic suiting
many occasions that we now find it is also a classic print in
our sitting rooms.
Right - Animal Print Kaftan - Eternal Glamour from Dolce &
Gabbana - SS2011.
Slate grey, sea blue, anthracite, antique gold and other
murky neutrals lend an earthy mineral tone colouration to
African tribal based prints. Toffee, cinnamon, tortoiseshell,
quince, sulphur, ginger and crème caramel define the earth tone
wardrobe. Boost this look by
spicing it up with hot tangerine like the bag above right, or
add a shot of vivid turquoise.
When wardrobe planning, mix the textures so that dull or shiny linen blend
and
add contrasts with the texture
of smooth leather, coarser raffia or tooled textured leather.
At Rodarte, wood was an inspiration, and there were grained knot patterns
of wood and plank prints. Other prints were slices of redwood
logs.
Memorable clear
blue and white Chinoiserie styled flower
added the
accents of a Ming vase to airy fabrics. This is a very
attractive clean fresh summertime look.
Left - Dolce & Gabbana Catwalk Fashions - SS 2011.
Right - Oasis - High street interpretation of a
beautiful china blue dress.
Oasis Blue/White 100% Viscose Tiered Print Dress £50 - Oasis Spring Summer 2011.
Very girly
pretty knits use both ballerina and floral trends for print
cardigans to create stylish sweaters. The blue print cardigan below shows how
this blue and white porcelain inspired trend has invaded every
fabric type and appears in home interiors and linen too as
blue/white based New England and Toile style prints.
Watercolour, tropical and nautical
anchor motifs pick up on other fashion trends in pattern, they
also give
knitwear a novel appeal that makes a little pattern go a long way.
Aran texture, blackberry stitch and bobbles also give great surface interest and a folksy look to knitwear.
Other knit texture utilise
Missoni style zigags, geometric blocking, bold and narrow stripes
and overprinting of knits.
Ballerina fashion has been inspired by the Natalie Portman film Black
Swan. But it's not just that film
which is instrumental in the ballerina look. These ballerina
romance fashions focus on
flesh tone pinks, which have been all the rage for a year or
more. It also picks up on 'Mad Men' fuller skirt trends, ballerina
lengths and tulle
petticoats.
Note that overall skirts are longer than we have seen for years.
The true centre of attention is still on the
EARLY 'Mad Men' silhouette of fuller, longer
skirts. For shorter, above knee versions of the ballerina fad
look no further than the
blush tones of ultra feminine cropped dresses at Nina Ricci.
Transparency gets a makeover when used as a contrast or
juxtaposed to lace of any type. This fashion fad is light and pretty using silk gazar and crusty lace frothed with the
joie de vivre of bygone fashion days. These dresses are almost always cinched with
belts or sashes. The frothy fad is in complete contrast to the
practical modern Lagenlook dress of today.
Above Left - Icon Marilyn Monroe in ballerina length tulle skirt. Miu Miu does the modern version if you need an updated version.
Above Left - Chiffon and Mesh Layer Maxi Skirt in Ballerina Pink -
£45/€58.50. Lipsy Stockist Number:
www.lipsy.co.uk.
Far Right - Jane Norman One Shoulder Dress With Roses. This
dress is part ballerina and part baby doll.
Baby doll merges with ballerina belles and gives us girly
feminine blush pink dresses and tops. These are worn with short tutu prom skirts. Alternative lengths mean that
'Mad Men' inspired calf length elegant ballerina
dresses give fashion opportunities to a wider and older audience.
From hot pink to softer gentler blush, blush pink is the
colour that overall gives a soft look to fashion this year. Marc Cain
has a lovely soft blush pink blouse that works so
well with taupe and other neutral pieces.This
colourway is especially soft and feminine in blouson sleeved
tops and lace dresses. But do take care
and get the nude tone right for your skin type. Even footwear
spotlights blush with blush brogues and blush UGG boots.
Baby
doll dresses with lingerie detailing appeal to teens and younger
women. But beware the mutton moment if you are older, as older women who can't resist them
need to make a realistic assessment and note they may be better wearing the
baby doll dresses
as tunic tops with skirts or trousers.
Left - Spring Sweetheart SS 2011 from Boohoo.com. Boohoo
Stockist Number: 0161 237 7700.
Right - Another Boohoo.com Ballet Look - Spring Summer 2011.
Designers at last recognise that women over 40, 50 and 60 like to look
good and follow catwalk collections. But these same 'more mature
women' shy at looking
ridiculous in too short skirts up to their backsides. Longer
lengths create bread and butter ranges for fashion designers.
Clearly everyone wins as fashion houses ensure a steady
profit when wealthier older clients buy with more assurance.
Ribbon and fringe has been used as trim for jackets, dresses,
accessories and footwear. It can add a little Boho flavour or a
1920's 'Boardwalk Empire' touch. A fringed dress is a dress to
party in for sure. Whilst a fringed leather jacket can dress up
any outfit.
Fringing can be a titivation too far, as it is such a
statement making trim. Keep to fringe on one item and you
may well be able to work this look without appearing to be in a
costume that steps out of the circus ring. For a softer take on
dress choose a dance friendly shimmy dress in Boardwalk Empire
1920s style.
Fringe is worked in every possible material and the prairie
theme is easy to spot when fringe is worked in leather or suede.
Fringe as a 1970s decorative element on garments can be
difficult to wear well. Avoid pieces that over use it as many
items can develop an over-the-top lampshade effect. Fear the
fringe and choose carefully!
Left - Marks & Spencer Glamazonian Dress £89, Shoes £59.
Fine pleating has had a revival and lends itself superbly
to all manner of drapery especially in tops and blouse, but also
to skirts and ruffles. These images illustrate how versatile fine pleating can be
when used to make a flowing asymmetric ruffled dress. The pleats
add an extra feminine touch whilst enhancing the Grecian quality.
This fantastic elegant filmy dress enables the wearer to ooze
elegance.
Right - Coffee Fine Pleated One Shoulder Chiffon Dress -
NEXT.
Fine Fortuny pleats and accordion pleat layers all help
define the Kimogami concept. The continuance of darts at
necklines and side hiplines also create
origami structured
effects.
There is a slight nod to ethnic where East meets West. This
look has Asian influences including obi belts, cheongsams and
kimono sleeves. To this add floral embroidery and so emulates
designs
seen on old mandarin robes, or other pieces that typify peasant
decoration. Lush rich deep embroidery favouring birds, exotic
oriental flower shapes and snakes inspire us to think of ancient
eastern details which are opulent and dramatic.
Right - Oriel Pussy Bow Tunic £95, SS 2011 from
Monsoon Miami Collection.
Centre - SS2011 Yogo Ego Bell Sleeve Womens Fashion Hitch Up
Shirt £25 - www.Yogoego.com
Stockist Number: 0208 920 6626.
Far Right - Fever Designs Oahu Blouse Black £54.99 - Fever
Spring Summer 2011 Stockist Number: 0207 6366 326.
These 'Red Lacquer' and 'Eastern Kimono Origami' influenced
looks fall under the new name of Kimogami. This is sharp and
stylised in a modern take on Japanese elements rather
than traditional Chinese fashion fundamentals.
Kimogami styled outfits show modern catwalk Japanese fashion influence in garments and accessories. Look for shiny
patent trims that glow like lacquer, and artful origami-like folding and capacious kimono
or Magyar sleeves.
The blouse is back, and is truly one of the great new must-have
pieces for Spring
2011. With its long sleeves, the blouse is the ideal
trans-seasonal piece and perfect on days where the temperature
dips. Look for batwing and very full
sleeve blouses. Wear your extra long and ruffled blouson sleeved
blouse beneath a three quarter sleeved cropped jacket.
Collars and Cuffs -
Here we see big volume ballooning sleeves finished by bold cuffs from Viktor
& Rolf brought fashion drama, all the more emphasised by the use of the
crustiest of lace - guipure. The finest of permanent fine pleats
and a raw look with raw rustic lace is typical decoration for an
embellished blouse in 2011. Expect to see floral piping/
appliqué and ribbon trim on the newest blouses.
Indulging
your inner gypsy should be easy with the volume ruffles seen on
blouses, dresses and peasant top bodices. Similar tops are available on the high street
- as you can see
from the image right and below. This
top is also one of the easiest designs to sew yourself as
fitting is controlled by elastication or drawstring ribbon.
Above Left - Animal Print and With White Shirt/Blouse
at Dolce&Gabbana SS2011.
Far Right - Dolce & Gabbana Summer 2011 Floral Ditsy Print Gypsy
Peasant Top.
There were designers such as designer Riccardo Tisci at
Givenchy who sent out crisp white shirts. Classic shirts are part
of any glamorous woman's timeless capsule wardrobe. Variations
include cropped silk shirts. Well cut, classic shirts can
be seen at
the shops of British master of shirt dressing designer
Paul Smith.
Trousers have had 'another' makeover. Pants have new wider
leg trouser shapes.
Check out those by Raoul at matchesfashion.com. If you want
something bright and exotic in the pants line, take a look at
the gorgeous wide leg sea green pants at Jaeger. Raoul has
designs for the modern discerning woman who needs easy wearable
pieces. As well as wide pants, silk dresses are another Raoul
talking point and cost around £200.
Other trouser looks that are well suited to summer days are
cropped pants and silky harem pants. Slim legged trousers that
land just above the shoe are much loved by fashionistas.
For more formal wear, the return of the
pants suit adds a
refreshing, alternative dose of masculinity when closet racks
are packed with feminine dresses. The skirt is still less
common than trousers in 2011, so pants add the piece that teams well with blouses and
jackets. The all-in-one has been making a slow comeback. More styles
including cat suits, playsuits and dungarees show that the
jumpsuit is a real fashion trend stylish women are buying.
Left - Penneys (Ireland) Spring 2011 Womenswear - Print
Vest €4, 70's Styled High Waisted Flares €17.
Centre - Warehouse Purple Jumpsuit SS11.
It is truly amazing how the much maligned 1970s and 80s are
considering how often their styles are incorporated by designers.
And even back
in the 1970s designers were merely aping fashion history styles of the 1930s and
40s. This newest seventies fashion trend captures some of the very best of
the 1970s in all its full glory.
Floating semi sheer and transparent fabric dresses and maxis recapture
1970s heydays. Check out fluid fantasy flares, flowing maxi dresses and frilled fiesta frocks.
Look out for skinny rib striped knits and floral print
cardigans.
Romantic ruffles of the 1970s flow to faded hippy chic. Fringed bags,
bleached denim cropped jeans, halter dresses worn with platform
shoes and big straw floppy hats hark back to seventies flower children moments in fashion. 1970s uses Luxe fabrics to recreate the
drape of full wide trousers and silk chiffon which emulates the long
dreamy dresses of the fashion era.
In the actual 70s decade the fabrics were more likely to have
been made of Laura Ashley sprigged cottons, or crinkle crepe
viscose or backed moss crepe. The silhouette of the era was very
much due to the specific fabrics because they draped in a heavy
way. The thick cellulose fabrics showed the wide flared line
very well. The flared A-line shapes held their outline because
they were mostly made from high bulk polyesters that seemed
preformed.
The biggest fashion trend to be discreetly
establishing itself, is that of the concept of 'forever
fashion.' All-in-all this year there is wearable fashion
for every girl and woman whatever her age.
Zany footwear is fun again, but
handbags are going classic
and have become more streamlined with sleeker cleaner lines, as
these two framed bags here illustrate.
Streamlined style in handbags means a return to smoother
sleeker shapes that are less sack like and more squared bags,
albeit with rounded edges to the handbags.
Blooming spring flower
prints and garden party fabrics take bags and all accessories
into a new world. Floral fabrics work really well for shoppers,
beach bags and sack bags.
Right
- Aspinal Classic Neutral Classic Streamlined Handbag - £495 From John Lewis.
Near Right - River Island Summer 2011 Floral
Handbag. Sophie floral box bag £32.99 - River Island - Stockist
Number: 0208 991 4904.
Refined and sleeker envelope-shaped clutch bags have downsized
from a sack-like shopper bag to a more sensible wallet like
purse silhouette with quilted clutch bags top of the must-have
list.
For the must-haves there are the newest zebra prints, animal prints/leopard
and reptilian skin effects. Bags with tassels, fringes, or band trims use primary colour edgings that
add pizzazz. Contrast piping around the edge of handbags
is made even more substantial with the texture of frou frou
rosettes or bows.
In bag styles multi colour four, three and two-tone handbags
are more and more commonly found everywhere. An example would be
this season's Yves St
Laurent taupe stone, burnt orange and magenta plum handbag.
Green was a strong colour along with brown in the real 1970s
decade and now apple green, citrine lime and sunshine yellow
create a bold freshness in colours especially for handbags.
This bag utilises emerald green and tan a popular colour combo for
2011.
Near Right - NW3 Howden Bag, £179/€205.
Gucci showed THE belt that defined the season, wide with
metallic gold snakeskin and a plaited narrow trailing twist
finished with a tassel - deliciously far flung looking. For
an instant wide belt there are plenty of leather obi belts and
satin Obi belts that can help catch this fad. Paul and Joe do a
great gold one at £345.
Shoes are striking - one look at Dior's purple feather shoes
with loop stitch trim and espadrille platform will make you sit
a up and take notice of 2011 fashions in footwear. Sugar sweet colours were used by Miu
Miu with a show of multi colour sorbet tone shoes with black trims.
These sorbet tones are the inspiration for many footwear
colour designs you see everywhere.
Some footwear shows real definition with sculptured fascinating heel forms. The twisted heels and sculptured piece below
centre is like a work of art
it is
so rococo in line.
Gold, mustard, yellow and lemon add sunshine to shoe styles.
Below Left - Schuh Ipanema Wedge Sandal £75 /€100 Schuh
Spring Summer 2011 Collection -
www.schuh.co.uk.
Above Centre - Schuh Mouse Twist Heel Yellow Court Shoe -
£65/€85. Also available in red and black Schuh Spring Summer
2011 Collection Stockist Number: 0845 307 2484 or
www.schuh.co.uk.
Below Right - Bi-colour Shoe by Hobbs - NW3 Collection - Goodison Brogue Court
Shoes - £159/€180.
The modern way with colour mixing in 2011 extends to
shoes which are mostly two or even three colours. Think of a
shoe and think of bold harmonic colours such as turquoise
emerald and royal blue, positioned to create an abstract pattern
worthy of Mondrian.
Tan and other neutrals complement these bold twists of
colour. Greens and yellows pair well with white as the brogue
courts above show.
More blocky looking cone and solid square heels or stacked
heels that endow a cubist effect follow the 1970s trend in
women's shoes. These steadier styles
below may all be newer styles for you. With the wooden clog like
platform they suggest elements of a 1970s Dr. Scholl sandal
form.
Top Right - Hobbs - Curvy Flat Sandals, £99/€115. Hobbs
Spring Summer 2011 Footwear & Accessories.
Centre Right - NW3 Hankins Scalloped Wooden Sandals, Nude,
£110/€125
Bottom
Right - Hobbs - NW3 Hiking Sandals, Cherry, £110/€125.: 08445616161.
Straps are multiplying on women's shoes and there a bi and triple
ankle strap shoes, plus tie bows. The Mary Jane is an easy comfortable style even with
a high heel, because that midway strap neither cuts the ankle or
hugs toe cleavage so far down that the strap gets rendered
ineffective at staying in place.
Correctly positioned, a Mary
Jane strap can support and hold the shoe on a foot that would
otherwise struggle with a heeled shoe. No wonder Mary Janes
have been
so popular for dancing through the decades.
Extra footwear features of note are fake flowers,
particularly roses and also there is an element of transparency
in footwear as
transparent mesh inserts, bows or fronds of tulle create wispy
effects. Combine this with nude and flesh tones and the footwear
is all in keeping with ballerina looks.
These shoes focus on bows and patent finishes as well as the
Mary Jane Bar.
Below Left - Schuh Prince Bow Bar Court £67/ €85 Also
Available Red - Schuh Spring Summer 2011 Collection
Centre - Open Bar Shoes, Nude, £129 (€150) Hobbs Spring Summer
2011. Footwear & Accessories - www.hobbs.co.uk.
Right - Black Bow and Piping, Block Heel Mary Jane Shoe By Dune.
New twists mean rope or ribbon toes on footwear mean that ties trace up the
leg from ankle to calf. Other shoes and sandals show abundant ribbon ankle wrapping. Some of the ribbons follow the floral themes in prints. Teens
will love these girly shoes.
In the summer of 2011 we are going to see a lot
of ditsy floral itsy bitsy fabric prints that look
as if they have jumped off a patchwork quilt fly onto all
sorts of footwear from flat Grecian sandals, pretty flower print
pumps, floral fabric espadrilles, chunky wedges, strappy
platform heels and flower powered sneakers.
These shoe choices
use 1970s dolly-bird ditsy fabric prints beloved of stores such
as Cath Kidston, Liberty and Laura Ashley.
The flower prints from pastels to
peach coral reds are usually set on white cream or black backgrounds. This floral and check footwear
works well with the traditional looks of the current fashion
craze for peasant Gypsy Chic blouses.
Above Left - Matalan SS11 Womens Shoes - Floral
Tie Ankle Wrap Gladiator Sandal £14.
Centre - Floral Pump Shoe - Office SS2011.
Right - Zany Fun Fifties Red and White Check Wedge Shoe
If you are seeking a Mad Men feel to your retro outfits add a
1950s touch with polka dot spots and
tablecloth check fabrics. These shoes will add that certain something
whether your fashion outfit is a pair of shorts, cropped Capri pants or
prom dress.
Wedges are increasingly popular in summer as they
offer height, but with the supporting comfort of the steady wedge.
In contrast to neck breaking high heels, there are flats and
wedges offering safer alternatives for everyday running around
for both work and play. Studded shoes, platform heels, wedges, raffia wedges line up
against kitten heels and super flat ballerina pumps.
These three wedges use natural tan leather, denim and animal
print classic materials that will blend easily with lots of
outfits.
Left - Autograph Leather Peep-Toe Wedges, £49 -
Marks & Spencer Accessories.
Centre - Tamaris Denim Wedge £39.99 sizes 35-41 - Tamaris Spring
Summer 2011.
Right - Star by Julien MacDonald Leopard Wedge £32/€48.
Debenhams Footwear Stockist Number: 0844 5616161.
Neutral palette shoes offer an ideal surface for excess details
such as studs, stitching or punching. Hot poker branding marks,
laser lace work or
leather strip thong threaded through and over edges or used in woven
areas add a decorative touch.
Left - Dune - Vampy - £85/€100 Dune - Vampy - £85/€100 Dune
Womens Laser Footwear Trend 2011.
Centre - Schuh Kitty Cut Out Wedge £65/ €85 Schuh Spring Summer
2011 Collection - Stockist Number: 0845 307 2484 or
www.schuh.co.uk .
Right - Schuh Kaitlin Cut Out Bar Peep £60/€80 - Spring Summer
2011 Collection.
The best thing about most accessories is that diets are not
necessary, therefore whether your passion is shoes, bags or a treasure
chest of diamonds, no shopping trip will be a failure.
STACK 'EM HIGH BANGLES - Several cuffs worn on the arm
are the mode. Moroccan ethnic cuffs are a new
way of wearing very chunky jewellery. Clank rattle and roll with
multiple layered bangles. Whether wood, gold, silver enamel or
plastic the arm candy of 2011 is the cuff or bangle. Stack 'em
high also applies to rings. If your budget is very limited
these fun items from New Look will be just the on trend answer.
Left - New Look Pink Bangle Set
£9.99/€12.99.
If the budget is a bit larger and you have a significant
beloved or best friend who loves to buy you trinket charms then consider
collecting the Pandora ranges.
CHARM BRACELETS - Pandora
bracelets especially in pinks and gold are novel and
personal creating a rainbow of jewels that are very
personalized. The alternative Chamilia.com range also in pinks and gold, Troll
or Links pieces all add up to lots of charm bracelet and necklet
options. Be sure you understand this modern charm system before you choose your base
necklace or bracelet as not all charms fit all bracelets. It
really is well worth reading the eBay help guide on Troll/Chamila/Pandora
differences.
'The King's Speech' is a 2010 British historical drama film
directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler.
The film won the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
People's Choice Award and has been nominated for twelve Academy
Awards, fourteen BAFTA awards and was nominated for seven Golden
Globes.
If you can afford it opt for serious investment jewellery and
that means diamonds and other precious stones. Jewellery
trends to watch or buy into, are interchangeable necklaces, leaf earrings, rose earrings
with some of the classiest at Dior. Big statement earrings also
add cachet to your jewellery wardrobe.
Nuggets of natural gems, especially semi precious stones have a new chic and understated allure
when worn as an interchangeable clasp such as those by Anna
Tabakhova on a short necklace. The contrasting longer sautoir of
semi precious gemstones or a long rope of good pearls offer
scope to wear these necklace styles wrapped and knotted. The sautoir was
very popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
Check out too heart necklaces, Georg Jensen link collars at Aspinal of London
and the scarf like strap
watches from Missoni at £370.
For a more streamlined sleek luxury opt for a semi hidden
neck tie-pin brooch and wear it on a classy silk blouse.
Understated forever fashion luxury. But for the ultimate in
jewellery Chic look at the
Van Cleef and Arpels gems shown here.
Blonde hair is back in fashion, but so is the desire for
luscious locks like those of bride to be, princess in waiting,
Kate Middleton.
1940's glamour lips and chignons give screen siren quality
that is dramatic. Hair is made bigger and plied with extras such
as plaits - think of the TV series 'The Tudors' for influence. Look too at the
1920s hairstyles of 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'The Great Gatsby'.
Red lips and paint box lips have full on glamour. Sheer lips
love the new Lipfinity lip tint pens. The Max Factor Lipfinity
lip tint pens are non transferable and a give warm rush of
colour stain to create desirable, kissable lips. I
also like the Bodyshop lip tint. Trans matte lip looks are an
alternative to glamour makeup for lips. Eyes from botanic
palettes of vibrant purple and blue eye make up kits, bold
mascara eyes all join forces with the fashion trend of colour
blasting.
For the best foundation make up look try Vitalumiere Aqua by Chanel.
I was blown over by a sample of this and all day kept think
how well the make up made me look. Even better I kept
feeling good all day. This Vitalumiere Aqua by Chanel
water based make up has a ball bearing inside the container. The
container has to be shaken to create an emulsion. The £32 price
tag is worth it for the reward of a face that glows with health
and dewiness all day. Its natural looking make up with a hint of
summer shimmering.
Conclusion of Key Fashion Trends Spring Summer 2011
Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots.com, Swarovski,
Marks & Spencer, Hobbs, House of Fraser, Schuh, Dune, Primark, Penneys, George at Asda, Oasis, Debenhams, Littlewoods,
River Island, Accessorize Monsoon, Matalan,
Hobbs, Benetton, ASOS,
Warehouse, Pantone, Jaeger, New Look, Jane Norman, Bonprix.co.uk, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Boohoo.com,
Lipsy, Love Miss Daisy Vintage, Sainsbury's Tu,
Next, Dune, Monsoon, Fever, Yogoego.co.uk,
very.co.uk, Van Cleef & Arpels, French Connection, Isme, Beyond
Retro, Mint Velvet, Ann Harvey, Internacionale, Phase Eight,
Kaleidoscope, A|wear, Matalan, Tamaris, Redlablefashion.com,
Faith.
Fashion-Era.com looks at women's costume and fashion history and analyses the mood of an era. Changes in technology, leisure, work, cultural and moral values. Homelife and politics also
contribute to lifestyle trends, which in turn influence the clothes we wear. These are the changes that make any era of society special in relation to the study of the costume of a period.
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Fashion
styles
in Summer 2011 focus on colour
blasts of block colours. This growing fashion trend may even be going in the direction of 'top-to-toe colour' outfits. Pretty and decorative is fused with utility and minimal for
Spring/Summer 2011. Skirt hemlines are dropping and
trousers are getting wider; both contrast with colourful cropped pants such
as cropped b
It's Handcrafted quality work
that gives an accessory its must-have
desirability. This is evidenced in minimalist finely
crafted handbags that are ultra subtle in their simplicity of
tasteful design.
Check Vivienne Westwood
floral boots at Red Label, Paul Smith floral flat loafers,
ditzy flower print flat brogues from Kenzo and floral courts
with gathered uppers and flowered wedge shoes all from Dolce
and Gabbana. 
Left
- Ditsy Print Blouses from SS 2011 United Colors of
Benetton.
The perfect blouse combines elegance and
feminine frou
frou. Salvatore Ferragamo have created a blouse touched by
perfection with its dainty pin tucks and graceful fabric
folds. Meanwhile French Connection has tops/tunics
with gathered elasticated gypsy necklines.
Costlier fabrics
together with cunning cutting revives
this fashion era into a slinky fluid look that is almost
futuristic. Fashion history has never looked so good as this
retro version.
TOP TREND TIP
2 - FULLER SLEEVE SILHOUETTE - Note
billowing fullness especially in sleeves. Blouses focus on billowing 1970s sleeves with flop and have
a pussy bow, frilled fronts or peasant smock necklines.
A typical colour scheme might also include pink,
magenta, citrus lime and black and soon make clashing paint
box colours. The opaque top and lemon cropped pants are also by River Island.
Lace
was very popular last year especially over contrast linings.
This
colourway is especially soft and feminine in blouson sleeved
tops and lace dresses. But do take care
and get the nude tone right for your skin type. Even footwear
spotlights blush with blush brogues and blush UGG boots.
.
Here we see big volume ballooning sleeves finished by bold cuffs from Viktor
& Rolf brought fashion drama, all the more emphasised by the use of the
crustiest of lace - guipure. The finest of permanent fine pleats
and a raw look with raw rustic lace is typical decoration for an
embellished blouse in 2011. Expect to see floral piping/
appliqué and ribbon trim on the newest blouses.
