There’s a definite soft feel to summer and that’s why pleats are the perfect choice. Pleated dresses, pleated shirts, and pleated skirts all create beautiful movement when co-ordinated with modern items for an edgy end result or with pretty items for a feminine end result; the choice is yours.

Shimmy into summer with metallic pleated skirts, wide pleats or micro pleats, there’s even a retro pleat that’s part of a dress with a drop down waist. Pleats to please everyone! Soft gathering, ruching or gauging is another way of showing of pretty pleated details.

The pleated sleeve is your chance to make an impressive summer statement – the bigger the better. Think bell sleeves, ruffled sleeves, poet sleeves, all soft and feminine, ideal with a tailored skirt, tailored trousers or slim-fit jeans.

Here are some fabulously fashionable tips to make sure you showcase this pretty pleated trend to your full advantage:

• Don’t wear a pleated top with a pleated bottom – the overall shape will look to full and bulky. For an overall flattering end result choose either a pleated top with a tailored bottom, or a plain top with a pleated bottom
• If you have a fuller body shape avoid wearing a top tucked into a pleated bottom; wear a longer top over a pleated bottom instead
• One of our favourite looks is a top with pleated sleeves – the fuller the better – with either a tailored skirt or pants or jeans. If you have short arms opt for slim sleeves, not wide sleeves

Pleats – wide or micro, at the top or the bottom – have most definitely returned to the fashion fold this summer season; enjoy!

This article was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Alia Motani.