After an unseasonably cool start to summer it looks like the sun is finally here to stay, and with the warmer weather comes a desire to ditch the black in our wardrobes for something a little more fun. Luckily designers have had a collective love affair with exciting colours and patterns this summer so there is something for everyone - whether you are a Shrinking Violet after a subtle hue or soft pattern, or a Bird of Paradise comfortable in the brightest, most outrageous prints!
The on-trend colours this season are fantastically bright pinks, orange, lime, yellow, aquamarine, sky blue... basically if you need sunglasses to look at it, it's in!
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| Christian Dior SS11 |
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| Fendi SS11 |
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| Lanvin SS11 |
Designers also went crazy for prints this summer and threw away the rulebook on wearing pattern. Anything goes - leopard with zebra with spots, stripes, painterly prints, seventies geometrics, wallpaper inspired patterns, even fruit made it onto the runways!
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| Stella McCartney SS11 |
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| Gareth Pugh SS11 |
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| Missoni SS11 |
Of course this is all very fun on the runway... but how do we mere mortals introduce colour without looking like a Warhol crossed with a Picasso? My advice is keep your tried and true neutrals as a base and add a pop of colour with a bright top or accessory, or choose a softly patterned garment in a more wearable colour palette.
These pieces from Impulse Boutique are a great way to add colour and pattern without backtracking into psychadelia...
$229.00
Simple and elegant, this colour looks great with soft beige or charcoal, or team it with some cool white pants and nude accessories.
$189.00
See spots with this sheer sleeveless tunic by David. Brighten it up with bold accessories and throw a nude trench or cardi over the top to take you through the cooler months. You can also add a subtle hint of colour by layering brights underneath.
$179.00
If you want colour AND pattern then look no further - this gorgeous silk tunic by Lounge Apparel offers a subtle answer to the big and bold florals seen on the catwalk, and is a perfect trans-seasonal layering piece.
Posted by Rebecca
