The five trends to carry you into Spring/Summer this year

By Emily Borrett.

Florals on the catwalk at Erdem

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The rubbish, typical British drizzle and winds that we’re all having to endure at the moment may be making us all feel a little bit like there’s no point even thinking about our Spring/Summer wardrobes. But the beautiful clothes that everyone is predicting we’ll be wearing later this year are so special, that maybe we should stiffen our upper lips like true  Brits and start planning for the marginally less dire weather ahead. Here are the top 5 trends that you should take into consideration this year when you’re hitting the shops.

1. Florals

If you followed the many Fashion Weeks that happened at the end of last year, you’ll be able to remember with wistfulness the beautiful lace-swathed jamboree that was the Erdem SS11 catwalk. From their embroidered white lace dresses with red flowers creeping up the hemline to their floral patterned shirts and shorts, flowers were absolutely everywhere and they’ve never been prettier. Head-to-toe florals may be a difficult look for us mere mortals to rock in our daily routine, so keep it understated – team a floral skirt or pair of summer shorts with a simple blouse for a garden-party perfect look.

2. Bold colour

Forget floaty and ethereal for this summer’s maxi – German designer Jil Sander showed us that the best way to rock a sweeping floor-length this year will be with a vibrant splash of colour. Everyone was talking about her collection at fashion week, and with good reason too – Sander showed us a fresh and modern take on the hottest length to be seen in at the moment. As for how you wear it? Exactly how it was seen on the catwalk. All you need to work a JS-esque maxi is a classic white tee and a slash of neon lipstick.

3. Bright whites

While cutting-edge fashion house Alexander Wang has often been in favour of moody black clothes and leather in the past, at this last NYFW all the models were sent down the catwalk in refreshing tones of white and celadon that made us all go – ahhhhh. We’ve already heard about the phenomenon of the little white dress, now get ready for the little white everything. This spring it’s all going to be about a clean, fresh look and white is the perfect colour to opt for.

4. Frills and ruffles

Sugar, spice and everything nice – it’s not hard to see why so many celebrities favour designs by Marchesa for fancy events at the moment. Last year it was about body-con, velvet and a very grungey aesthetic, but this year things seem to get a whole lot prettier as we’re told that ruffles, embellishment and peekaboo lace are going to be the only look to be seen wearing when you’re out on the town. With their sheer lace harem pants, embellished necklines and floaty, ruffled voluminous dresses, Marchesa are the designer to emulate.

5. Ladylike

Louis Vuitton started it all off with their now iconic A/W last year, where it was all about nipped in waists, modest hemlines and 1950s silhouettes – everyone went mad for his full-skirted dresses. If you’re wondering how to take their sexy-but-prim aesthetic into the new year, then look no further than Valentino. Hemlines crept up a little (summer is too hot for a midi) to flutter at the knee prettily and necklines were modestly high. But if that sounds a little too safe for you, it isn’t. They kept things from being matronly by using sheer, floaty materials which still hinted at the skin and body beneath – a perfect look for those big and small this year. If you’re looking to copy Valentino this year, keep an eye out for sheer, high-necked blouses and tailored skirts.