The A-Z Guide to Summer 2012 Trends

Dear Readers,

This is the article that was published in the latest issue of FIRST magazine that was out with The Independent on Sunday yesterday. It's quite literally, the A-Z of this season's trends. These are the trends you should keep in mind if you're hunting down the shops for the latest style.

-B 

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A is for Aztec: Forget the Mayans and their calendar, this season it’s all about bringing out your inner Navajo! Aztec-inspired clothing is bright and interesting, usually presenting some of the most exquisite and unusual colour combinations around! Aztec style tunics, in particular, are great for BBQs or for the brave stroll to the shops during summer: their lightweight nature allows you to breathe and look fab as well!

B is for Baroque: This trend lies somewhere in between Marie-Antoinette’s ‘Let them eat cake!’ fashion and the classic, vivid Versace print. The swirls, scrolls, ropes and chains of baroque prints add that much needed bust of life to anyone’s wardrobe!

C is for Crop Tops: The midriff is back with a bang. The trick to rocking the trend is not showing too much skin, so pair with your favourite vintage high-rise jeans, shorts or pencil skirts for that true rockabilly feel!

D is for Dip Hem: Forget your midi skirt. Forget you maxi skirt. This season the it-hemline is the dip hem on both skirts and dresses. Whereas some are set to shy away from the trend, others have already embraced its versatility. Available in a myriad of colours, dip hems can be paired with combat boots for that edgy feel or with wedges for a girly combo.

E is for Eighties: This season sees the return of probably one of the least loved decades in fashion. Love it or hate it, the eighties are back around and so are their close friends the peplum and the rucksack.

F is for Floral: Hardly a surprise right? Florals tend to distinguish our Winter attire from our Spring one. A must-have item this season is floral trousers. Oh, and a floral blazer. Floral blouses too. Floral shoes, maybe?

G is for Gold: Again? Gold was all over the place last Winter and we can’t help but be slightly bored of it already. Try buying a pair of gold sandals, you surely did not give those a try in the cold weather! That should definitely re-ignite your metallic passion once again.

H is for Headpieces: Hats, headscarves, headbands! This Spring and Summer, you must add something on your head for that extra little detail. Headwear always completes an outfit and it’s the best solution when you look in your mirror and think ‘My hair has had better days!’.

I is for Ikat: What a fancy term to denote anything related to tribal wear! Definitely not a newcomer to the Spring and Summer fashion world, this trend is taking over some of our favourite high street stores already! Everything in the shops seems to shout ‘This time for Africa!’. Have you spotted a pair of animal print wedges that you like? You need a pair of those.

J is for Jumpsuit: These numbers may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Granted. However, with the immense variety of jumpsuits out in the shops already, there surely must be one for everyone. Remember, shopping for a jumpsuit is like looking for your soulmate, you have to try a few wrong ones before slipping into the perfect one. Don’t forget to emphasise your waist with a skinny belt, especially for those ladies with a lovely hourglass shape!

K is for Knotted: Meet one of the most accessible and wearable trends of the season. Whereas you could head out to the shops and buy one of those knot-detail dresses, shoes or bags, you could simply knot your top or denim shirt as an alternative. It takes seconds and it costs nothing. Perfect!

L is for Lilac: Lilac is one of the prettiest candy colour shades ever! From lilac nails to lilac denim, this powdery hue looks divine with other pastel shades and as well as neutrals. It’s so sweet it gives you cavities!

M is for Mint: You could say ‘mint’ is my middle name right now. Mint and pink, mint and cream and mint and salmon are amongst the most delicious combinations trending at the moment. The softness of mint lace and the relative sharpness of mint tailored pants are staples this year!

N is for Neon: Eye-catching, traffic-stopping, almost blinding fluorescent pieces are all the rage this season! Pair with white or denim to tone the colour loudness down, or go for accessories to avoid overwhelming your skin tone with brights.

P is for Pleats: I’ll have a plate of pleats, pretty please. This season, open your fashion buffet with a pair of pleated palazzo pants as a starter, then move on to a pleated skirt for the main course and end with a delicious pleat-detail blouse. Whether it’s knife, box, or accordion, pleats are in. And how!

Q is for Quirky Prints: Who would have ever thought we would be hunting the shops for banana print or monkey print? These are just two of the eclectic prints available this year, and together with sunflower, fruit, avian and geometric patterns, there’s bound to be something that tickles your fancy. Print clash is pretty big right now as well, keep it in mind!

R is for Ruffles: Is it me, or are girls dressing as girls again? After a predominantly androgynous season, we welcome back the ravishing realm of femininity! The catwalks were pretty much one big ruffle bonanza, with ruffles on swimwear and wedding gowns alike.

S is for Stripes: Have you ever noticed that stripes never seem to go out of fashion? They’re always here! Not that I’m complaining anyway. It’s unbelievable how designers always manage to revisit and reinvent the same trend over and over again. My personal favourite stripe reinvention this year was Fendi’s. I swear I could watch that show ten times a day!

T is for Tangerine: According to the Pantone Fashion Colour Report – the authority we trust to answer ‘which is the most popular colour this season?’ – tangerine is by far this season’s colour! There’s a tangerine lipstick that suits every skin tone. Your job is to find it!

U is for Underwater: We knew the seas would be a major source of inspiration when we first glimpsed Karl Lagerfeld’s collection for Chanel! Think of pearls, mermaid dresses, different shades of blues and gill-like textures for a true adaptation of what the fashion blogosphere dubbed as ‘underwater chic’.

V is for Vertical Stripes: I sleep and I dream about vertical leggings. I wake up and rush to my wardrobe to check of my vertically striped jeans in intact. I am officially obsessed. Vertical stripes do not only add that edgy flair to any look, but they also elongate the body that struts them. Vertical stripes are easily my favourite trend this year.

W is for White Out: A trend we inherited from last Spring and Summer, head-to-toe white outfits are the best backdrop for a tan! If, like myself, you are not keen on white shoes, then opt for nude pumps or pastel shoes. You’re sorted!

X is for X-Ray: Can we ever own too many sheer shirts? No, obviously. Take the opportunity to combine multiple trends by wearing mint pants and a white lace bandeau with your sheer shirt! Three trends in one outfit. Score.

Y is for Yellow: This sunny colour may not be everyone’s preferred colour, but let’s face it, it looks gorgeous set against a black and white monochrome background! All shades of yellow, including pastel variations and brighter neon versions, are set to take over our streets during the coming seasons.

Z is for Zigzag: The last letter of the alphabet reminds us of one the biggest seasonal trends. Zigzag patterned clothing, very reminiscent of the classic Missoni print, looks great on dresses in particular. Just like vertical stripes, horizontally placed zigzag prints are extremely flattering on all body types. Give them a try, you’ll be surprised!

P.S. I am currently participating in the New Look Fashionistar competition. If you'd like to vote for me (so I can buy myself a new wardrobe pour Paris) read this post to find out how! You can vote once every 24 hours. Thanks