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We’ve chosen our top ten Summer trends 2016 and we are delighted to report that it’s looking lovely!

When it comes to shopping for a new season, it’s important to get some insight into some summer trends 2016 before you start falling for all the striking new styles on offer. Think bare shoulders and juicy colours, bold stripes and ditsy florals, and of course a 90’s revival that will make you want to slip on a slip dress!

PLEATS & SLEEVES
There’s a definite soft feel to summer and that’s why pleats are the perfect fit for the new season. Pleated skirts, pleated dresses, even pleated shirts all create beautiful movement when matched with simple modern items like tucked-in tees and tank tops. 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 anyone! The 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 tailored trousers.

DENIM DRESSING
Pushing the boundaries of dutiful denim can be tricky, but this summer you’ll be able to extend your bluesy repertoire with a few exciting, new interpretations. The denim dress is lighter and easier to wear, the denim skirt is softer, denim shorts are frayed and in light washes, denim shirts are oversized and masculine, skinnies have higher waists with rips along the knees, and there’s a flare revival in crisp white. Embroidery adds another new layer to denim with fun 70’s inspired icons like butterflies and flowers prettifying classic jeans with frayed bottoms.

BOLD STRIPES & HOLIDAY COLOURS
Summer stripes are going full spectrum in bright, saturated colours that are bold and electric. There’s more than one direction in stripes as we move away from horizontal and go for asymmetrical, and even combining more than one type of stripe per item. Your summer palette is juicier than ever and will take you from sunset yellow and fresh lemon to tangerine and deep orange. These yellow and orange fruity colours are wonderful shades to match any skin tone. A Soft skin tone loves a soft yellow or peachy orange, a Medium skin tone looks stunning in bright lemon and orange zest, a Deep skin tone comes alive in sunset yellows and oranges, and a Rich skin tone needs the intensity of butternut and tangerine and to really shine.

ALWAYS WHITE
From white denim in a flared 70’s style, to white dresses in cotton, lace, and linen, and classic white tees and crisp white shirts – white is summer’s power colour. Take this hero shade and wear it as an all-over look with an off-the-shoulder piece paired with white denim, or simply layer a white blazer over a striped t-shirt. And then there’s the white tee that looks modern worn slightly bigger but tucked in to denim cut-offs or a pleated skirt. White is also a key part of the athleisure look and you’ll see it stand out as crisp sneakers, cool crop tops, functional rucksacks, or tops in sporty mesh fabrics.

SOFT PANTS & SUEDE PIECES
The paper bag trouser is an essential item for the season and set to become your new favourite piece. This trouser style has extra fabric at the top that gets cinched in by a belt, and then ruffled over the belt as if it is spilling over. The effect creates a slim line waist, especially with the tapered silhouette of the trouser legs. Wear this piece with a fitted top like a bodysuit or a slim fit shirt, avoid baggy styles that will overwhelm the trousers. From loose-fitting trousers to structured suede, this 70’s inspired fabric has made quite a few key appearances on Summer 2016’s trend radar. Worn as a mini skirt, a bohemian waistcoat, or simply as fringing detail on shoes and handbags, suede should be part of your new season wardrobe.

90’S REVIVAL
If you’re a child of the 90’s brace yourself for a face-to-face with all your throwback teenage looks this summer – just reinvented with a few modern day twists of course. Key to this revival is the simple and stylish choker. Worn with anything from loose fitting t-shirts and camis to formal dresses and off-the-shoulder tops, the choker will add 90’s edge to any look. Go for black, skinny, wide, printed, embellished, but remember that this trend loves a lean neck and bare shoulders. The slip dress is such a special 90’s piece and an obvious choice as a must-have for summer. Sweet over a white t-shirt, perfect with platforms, light and silky, the slip dress is an effortless dress during the hot months. Summer’s 90’s resurgence wouldn’t be complete without the rucksack, the slip-on mule, dark lips, high-waist denim, and one-piece swimsuits.

OFF THE SHOULDER
Nothing says summer like bare and beautiful shoulders, and this season you should show your shoulders every chance you get. As a key trend for summer, off-the-shoulder pieces are all about showing some skin in a classy way. Shoulders are a naturally slim part of the body, so it suits most body types and will work perfectly as a smarter outfit or an off-duty weekend look. Wear the off-the-shoulder as a bohemian top adorned with embroidery, how about a smart black jumpsuit, or even a soft dress that’s ideal during a hot day. Add a statement neck piece to dress up your off-the-shoulder top, think colourful stones or impressive metals, and if you have a long and lean neck you can opt for a 90’s inspired choker for a high-fashion finish.

ATHLEISURE RULES
The lines between fashion and sport have been blurry for a long time, and that’s why it’s no surprise to see the athleisure movement returning as a relevant trend for summer. This time round you’ll find mesh fabrics as a key look, especially in short sleeve jumpers, t-shirts, and even dresses. Sneakers ground the athleisure look with attitude, edge, and street style. Go for summer brights and rainbow shades, fun prints like palm trees and tropical fruits, interesting soles, thick platforms, classic sporty styles, and don’t forget all-white for a crisp, minimal statement.

PATCHWORK PRINTS & DITSY FLORALS
Mixing prints in a patchwork style has a comforting homespun feel to it, and this season you’ll see ditsy floral prints fashioned together in printed tops, dresses, and skirts, and restyled to create a wonderfully modern update. Ditsy prints in all colours and variations mix and match beautifully and once again capture that coveted 90’s look. When choosing your floral print keep in mind that a larger floral design creates a slimmer effect, and remember to go for bright and summery colours on a dark background. Take the patchwork trend even further by adding fun patches to denim, this will give you the freedom to express yourself and create something that’s totally you.

SUMMER SHOES
The mule is the leading shoe style for summer, and gets a new-season update to love. This classic style is reworked in modern metallics and neutrals, adorned with chains and buckles, printed or studded, finished with tassels and fringing, sporting crisscross straps or a single strap. It’s such an easy shoe to slip on and your heel options range from comfy and flat to blocked and impressive, making your mule the ultimate casual flat or smart heel.  In addition to the mule there are also the flat lace-up and gladiator shoe styles that demand to be noticed for summer. These styles are perfect for weekend outings and looks updated with shorts and pleated skirts.

OUR WEEKLY TRENDS POST
Going forward, each week, we will showcase one of these summer trends 2016 – adding extra tips. We hope you have enjoyed our post and we hope that you are looking as forward to summer as we are – enough of scarves and thermals already : ) !

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