Spring 2010 trend: the five key pieces you need in your wardrobe this season

Denim

Not since Van Halen were in the charts has denim been so hot. That’s a lie – it wasn’t hot then, but it is now. And it’s a hardworker this year, popping up in shirt form, shorts form, skirt form, dress form and top form. Make sure you’re on top form by keeping it light (snow-wash is the new indigo) and teaming it with florals or lace.

On the catwalk: despite its connotations of Americana, the Brit pack lead the denim revolution. Look to House of Holland (Henry’s SS ’10 collection for Levi’s was full of great structured pieces, while Pixie Geldof’s rocking some great denim in his new line for Debenhams), Twenty8Twelve and Stella McCartney, with Chloe and Dolce and Gabbana also turning out some fab denim looks.

On the high street: we hardly need to tell you where to shop for denim (‘everywhere’ would suffice, and make our job a lot easier) but particular ports of call should include New Look for denim bra tops and dresses, H&M for a massive range of shorts and skirts and Urban Outfitters for shirts worthy of a country crooner.

The key piece: a denim dress with a structured, bra-shaped bodice. Those underwired cups inject a little sex appeal into a prairie-girl classic.

Loud lycra

Legs just won’t look right this season unless they’re sticking out the bottom of some wildly coloured leggings or cycling shorts. You may have been steering clear of the shorts since failing your year 6 cycling proficiency, but we say it’s time to reconsider – under full-skirted sundresses they’re a great way to play down primness, under denim they bring a sporty, Fresh Prince of Bel Air-ish vibe, and under a massive t-shirt you’re… well, your Mum in the early 90s. But hey, bravery is always rewarded.

On the catwalk: DKNY achieved a fantastic feat, in making cycling shorts work for the office, with sharp blazers and demure wrap dresses. Donna even layered pink lycra shorts under black tailored shorts, in a move reminiscent of those trouser-skirts we all used to wear when we were 12. But much more appealing.

On the high street: Henry Holland wins once again, with a nice little range of coloured cycling shorts in his H! range for Debenhams, while American Apparel, as ever, is the obvious go-to for spritely sportswear.

The piece: A pair of fuchsia cycling shorts look great on tanned or pale legs, and add a sporty twist to summer florals. The bike is optional, but we’d like one with a basket on the front.

Something nude

You might not be feeling bikini-ready, but there’s another way to bare all, with this season’s palette of flesh tones. They have a reputation for being hard to wear, but the most difficult part of the process is discovering which nude is the nude for you. It’s a little bit like choosing the right foundation. For blondes and fair, freckly types, choose rosy and peachy shades and steer clear of anything too pale for fear of looking like a vanilla Minimilk. For tans and olive skins, ivory and buff look fab, while black and Asian skins can get away with almost all shades, but look particularly good in caramel and biscuitty colours. Yum. The way to keep nudes looking fresh for 2010 is to wear them in luxe fabrics, like silk and lace, so the effect is more boudoir than ladies who lunch.

On the catwalk: Chloe was at the forefront of the nude revolution, with their oh-so-chic collection of camel blouses and slacks. Chanel and Valentino also dished up neutral shades, while Alexa Chung sported a sweet toffee-coloured skirt suit to host a recent Mulberry party.

On the high street: Zara is always a safe bet when looking for grown up design, and they’ve delivered a great selection of muted shirts, shorts and blazers to take you from boardroom to beach in style. Meanwhile Topshop is like a candy store full of sweet, sugary nude pieces.

The key piece: A silky or sheer pussy bow blouse, in a barely-there shade, is a great sexy-prim playoff to team with your shorts.

A shirt

There are two types of shirt dominating the shops this summer, and they sit at opposing ends of the androgyny spectrum – there’s the oversized boyfriend shirt, and the crisp preppy shirt. The first should be big enough to wear as a dress, with rolled-up sleeves and maybe a few paint splatters here and there. Tartan lumberjack shirts had their day last year, but there’s still definitely a place for denim, brushed cotton and checked specimens. Meanwhile, the preppy shirt should be in a pretty, sorbet shade and worn like a showjumping champion, starched within an inch of its life and tucked into trousers or skirt with a skinny belt.

On the catwalk: Chloe was a great example of how to get shirty in style, while Céline can always be relied on to bring some French finesse to a wardrobe staple.

On the high street: Go back to basics at Banana Republic, Cos and the United Colours of Benetton, or hunt for slouchy boyfriend styles at Beyond Retro or Urban Outfitters.

The key piece: A blue chambray shirt that can be worn loose over a dress, or tucked in, cowgirl-style.

Sturdy shoes

Ladies, I’m pleased to announce we are almost coming to the end of the era of masochistic footwear. Almost, but not quite. Heels are lower and slightly less ridiculous than in recent years, but this summer will be a final fling for the stompy shoe. We’ve talked about clogs until we’re just about ready to jump off a windmill, but this round-up just couldn’t be written without giving rustic footwear a mention. So stilt up one last time, with some chunky wooden platforms, espadrilles or cork wedges. They’ll give your calf muscles a workout, and look a darn sight more attractive than fit flops.

On the catwalk: Burberry and Chanel ruled the catwalk stomp comp, with weighty wedges and massive mules.

On the high street: Kurt Geiger have the cutest clogs around, and we love Aldo and Office for fierce wedges with buckles and rope detail.

The key piece: Studded leather mule wedges, fresh from the fashion rodeo.