GET SET FOR COLOUR THIS SUMMER

The Spring/Summer collections have now hit the shops, meaning we can officially start dreaming about long hot summer days and bright blue skies. Yes, it’s almost time to pack away those tights and woolly jumpers and bring out the summer lights and brights!  colour me beautiful consultant Fiona Wellins shares her top tips on how to wear the key trends for the forthcoming season…

Floral Fancies

It seems that many designers this spring have gone floral mad and incorporated gorgeous floral prints into their collections.   Depending on your style personality this could be a dream come true or your worst nightmare.   Romantics such as Elizabeth Hurley and Creatives like Kate Moss will be in their element whilst for City Chics like Sharon Stone, the very thought of wearing floral will have you biting the heads of daffodils.  However before you consign florals to the compost heap there are ways you can add a little bit of flower power to your wardrobe…

• Wearing floral doesn’t mean all over head-to-toe.  Break up the all over effect by wearing a floral top with a plain skirt or pair of trousers or keep it simple with a fabulous floral necklace or bracelet.
• Mix your florals with another print such as stripes for a more creative look, just make sure you choose colours that match and compliment each other. But be warned – any more than two different prints just doesn’t work
• A repeat pattern all over has the danger of looking like wallpaper so go for more abstract designs or floral trims for a more up-to-date look. 
• Make sure that the size of the floral pattern complements your scale, if you’re petite for example choose something with a small floral pattern
• Florals don’t just come in chiffons and silks, try them in cottons and linens too which gives a completely different effect
• Floral jacquard is a subtle way of wearing florals
• Keep accessories to a minimum if you do wear a lot of floral print or you will just look too cluttered

 
Top Tunics

An on going trend for the summer is the tunic dress or top.  This is a truly versatile fashion item that is great because it’s flattering on so many different body shapes.  It’s also available in so many variations this summer that you are bound to find one that suits you.  

• If you’re large busted – look for styles with a lower neckline and avoid big, all-over patterns and large floaty sleeves.  A tunic top with a plain design or pattern around the bottom will be much more flattering
• Tunics with an empire line or gathered neckline will look great if you’ve got a small bust.  You will also be able to carry off patterned tunics.
• If you’re lucky enough to have a classic hourglass  figure, shop around for styles that you can belt in to show off your curves rather than hiding them
• If you’re shoulders are narrower than your hips the key to wearing a tunic successfully is colour.   Go for styles in bright colours with bold patterns and combine them with dark or plain bottoms.  You could also try the great new style with puff sleeves to balance your top half
• If your shoulders are broader than your waist you’ll need to look for sleeveless styles with volume at the bottom rather than at the top, A-line works well
• Those of you with a fuller more rounded figure will need to stick to plain, simple designs without too much fuss and in softer fabrics so that they don’t add bulk.

Maxi dresses

If you don’t have the legs to carry of a tunic style dress this summer have no fear, there is another option: long dresses, otherwise known as the Maxi dress are also making a comeback.  They are perfect for putting on if you’re self conscious about your legs or you’ve not had time to wax or fake tan them!  With so many fabulous designs, colours and styles to choose from you are sure to find the perfect one for you.

• Just remember that, floor skimming dresses can be a challenge if you’re petite.  Choose a dress that’s one solid colour or has a small pattern unless you want to look dwarfed.  Alternatively if you do go for one with more colour and pattern wear with it a pair of wedges for elevation.

• The taller you are the more you can experiment with blocks of colour and pattern so try dresses that combine blocks of stripes or mixed patterns.

• Keep cool in the height of the summer by teaming your maxi dress with a pair of flip flops or sandals in the day.  Alternatively dress it up with heels and accessories for an evening look, perfect for a special holiday night out.

• Make your maxi dress your own by belting it in or layering over vest tops or t-shirts on chillier days.  If you’re self conscious about your arms choose a cotton cardigan or shrug in a complementary colour and you’ll be able to wear your dress no matter what the weather.

If you’d like more advice on what to wear this summer why not treat yourself to a Seasonal Update session with one of colour me beautiful’s trained consultants