Spring/Summer ’07

A brand new season, Spring/Summer, is on the horizon. Think of hot days, balmy nights and beach weekends, alfresco dining, summer parties, holidays and you’ll feel excited about what the northern hemisphere is doing right now – and we’ll do from September onwards. It works for our weather and fabulous summer lifestyle.

TRENDS: The dress – futuristic. Cyber Rock Chicks. Kaleidoscopic printed patio frocks, higher waists, poet sleeves. Chunkier heels, bright colours, metallics, big bags, bows, and turbans.

THE DRESS is No 1. You will want to own one or several – the smock, trapeze or the shift. The dress is short – it’s a season about legs (again). The local designers will be inspired by the Barbarella-esque mini – as seen at Fendi (in silver) and Versace. (Hopefully only worn here by the new generation Jean Shrimpton.) Choose your own length but the mini, on less than perfect legs, should be worn over jeans or skinny pants. This new dress looks great with ballerina flats, chunky heels or wedges.

PRINTS: Then and now, the print is influenced by the Swinging Sixties. Marc for marc jacobs, Cavalli, Etro and Topshop all did prints well and we are starting to see them appearing in the Australian early trans-seasonal collections. Shifts and patio frocks look good in bright prints.

COLOURS: Shimmery neutrals, gold, silver, white, primary brights – especially red, purple (think Prada), marine blue (very Ralph Lauren), yellow, orange and greens (watch for emerald) and, my favourite, black and white – always works.

THE BLOUSE: Pretty blouses and white shirts with poets’ sleeves inspired by Ferre – who did the best one of all in super fine pure cotton voile with long fitted cuffs to the elbow, then billowing full sleeves – divine.

THE JACKET: This new must-have is a shorter luxurious jacket to top pants, shorts and jeans. Cavalli did it in floral. Chloe did it in bold brights. YSL in pretty patterned satin. The high street stores will do it in cotton. I love the Zara one in silver grey and white seersucker – cute over a dress or back with white pants and silvery accessories.

UTILITY: Practical cotton and hi-tech fabrics in white, beige or khaki. Chunky gold platforms or ladylike sandals will sex up this otherwise masculine look. Utility trousers can be baggy so one doesn’t have to be terribly fit, but they can get a shapeless, slouchy look if not worn with care.

SPORTSWEAR influences in summer collections – do not consider wearing this look with sneakers. No, it’s not about tracky pants and tees – it’s about cropped jackets with zips and belts and lots of detail on sexy tops and city shorts. Europe went wild for Dries van Noten-designed parkas – these won’t work for our Qld lifestyle and weather but may sell well in Melbourne.

SHOES this summer will be all about chunkier heels and platforms, or flat little courts and sexy sandals. Yes it is another season about the legs and what is worn on the feet.

METALLICS give the Sixties smock and trapeze a real futuristic look. Fendi did it best of all, but we will see a little of this trend come through some of our ranges here. Beware – only for the young.

THE BAG: The luxury bag has been mirrored by some highly desirable high street brands. The shape is squarer, with a short handle. Some new bags are chunkier. Wear this new bag with chunkier thick heeled shoes. Metallic bags in gold or silver will look great.

Something for everyone this Spring/Summer, a stunning season. I say "bring it on". Di Cant for www.istylefashion.com.au