STYLING ADVICE FROM NICKY HAMBLETON-JONES OF TRAMP2VAMP

TRENDS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2008
Selina Levinson

Spring Summer 2008 marks a welcome return to a softer more feminine feel in fashion. Designers look to the 70's with a myriad of floral bohemian prints adorning maxi to mini dresses floating gently down the catwalks. Global inspiration is gleaned from all around the world as well as a range of decades, spanning from the roaring 20's right up to the Bohemian ‘70's. Prints of all shapes and sizes abound from pretty to bold florals and Jackson Pollock inspired splattered abstract painterly designs. Fabrics remain flowing and soft and tailoring has just got easy! The utility look proves a welcome alternative to this season's girly feel, with military pockets and sleeveless jackets, belted tightly at the waist. The alluring asymmetric one-shouldered dress featured on the catwalks has been seen on the most stylish celebs (Anna Friel, Katie Holmes) and is sure to make any woman feel a million dollars at that special summer wedding or party. Denim has just got paler and softer with frayed edges and ripped detailing. Colour palettes are pastel or bright with lilacs and purples predominating, or earthy and neutral with deep reds, teal, brown and buff. Your three key purchases this season – the floral dress, the safari jacket and the wide legged trouser.

Flower power
Modern florals prove a key trend this season with luscious roses and tulips as well as bold abstract prints adorning dresses, tops and skirts. Go crazy for small or outsized prints, b e brave and clash patterns (Prada, Kenzo, Luella, Stella McCartney). On the high street Whistles, M&S, Coast, Joseph and Mango all have some blooming marvelous styles this summer! Remember as a rule, tall women wear larger more abstract prints well. For the more petite opt for more spriggy delicate blooms. Let the print do the talking and keep accessories to a minimum. Choose from a wide range of decade influences: A 20's drop-waist flapper style dress (works well for smaller busted slim ladies), a ‘40's tea dress (great if you are curvy with a bust and a small waist) or a 70's Boho maxi dress (good on taller women) will be a great floral addition to bring your wardrobe bang up-to-date this Spring. Just choose the style that suits your body shape!

Art attack
For Spring Summer ‘08 designers opted for a powerful explosion of colour, pattern and print. Fashion and art literally collide with watery washes (Zac Posen) and bold abstract prints (Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana ) covering the catwalks. Designers got really arty with brushstroke effects and quirky colour combinations. On the high street try M&S Limited Collection and Moschino Cheap & Chic or get out the fabric paints, use a white t-shirt as your blank canvas and create your very own masterpiece!

Get swirly! 
Spring Summer ‘08 sees a return of the fifties style full-skirt (Donna Karen, Celine, Miu Miu). Wear yours with high heels and cinch in at the waist with a statement belt. Be careful to keep your top half fitted and simple for an elegant, timeless and flattering silhouette. Try Cos , Reiss and Oasis on the high street for this new style.

Take a walk on the wild side
This season designers went wild for colonial style tailoring. Safari style and animal prints were big news on the catwalks (Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Donatella Versace, Biba) and prove a strong trend on the high street (Warehouse, Monsoon, Gap, Reiss, H&M, Jigsaw). Opt for effortless pieces in a palette of browns and creams: a shirtdress, a safari jacket, slouchy shorts or trousers worn with stacked up oversized wooden or gold bangles, and wedge heel raffia trim shoes. Multi-pocketed and belted garments are key to this look.

Tailoring just got easy!
Sleeveless waisted jackets, nipped-in fitted waistcoats, cropped sleeves and chopped trouser hems feature strongly this season. Tailored slouchy wide leg trousers are this summer's must have item (wear with high heels for an elegant, effortless feel). On the catwalks look to Maxmara, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren for inspiration. High street stores to try for this softer tailored look are Max Mara, Gap, French Connection and Reiss.

A lighter shade of pale
Lighten up this spring with pale denim. Put those trusty indigo jeans to the back of the wardrobe and opt for pale, super-soft denim. Paler denim jackets, shorts, waistcoats and jeans abound on the high street with frayed edges and ripped detailing giving a modern feel. Flared higher waisted jeans (Paige, Next, Citizens of Humanity) have made a big comeback. Wear with wedge heels to elongate legs and keep to slim layering on top. Great worn with a striped Breton top or belted fitted jacket.

Jump to it!
The all-in-one made a big comeback this season. Look to Kate Moss who has been spotted sporting this look very successfully (as ever!) for inspiration. Designers such as Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney and Nicole Farhi all produced their own takes on this piece ranging from cute playsuits to crisp cotton or fluid jersey jumpsuits. Perhaps only a look for the young, the bold and the brave!

Eco Warrier
This season, designers have literally scoured the world for inspiration (Etro, Matthew Williamson, Dianne Von Fustenberg, Betty Jackson). Batik, dip dye and tie die have been brought bang up-to-date for the twenty first century. The tribal look's colour palette is earthy and bold. Ethnic prints abound in browns, reds, greys and teals. Accessorize this look with stacked bangles, wide strappy leather (flat) sandals and a battered leather bag slung over your shoulder. Try Oasis, Next, Miss Selfridge and Warehouse for this trend on the high street.

You're a star!
Designers went mad for the maritime look with spots, stars and stripes in navy, red and white featuring on the catwalks (Yves St Lauren, Valentino, Givenchy, Chanel). Investing in one of these classic prints is a great way to update your spring wardrobe. Try Topshop, Boden, Therapy at House of Fraser and Warehouse on the high street. Wear a sailor style top with white wide legged trousers or shorts. Layer a striped blazer over a white tee, pale denim or crisp cropped pants.

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!
Spring Summer 08's must-have accessory is the clutch bag (Reiss, Accessorize, Topshop). Not confined to the evening anymore, there are plenty of larger daytime styles out there that you can fit all your bits and bobs into! The wedge heel (or stacked) shoe (LK Bennett, Next, Principles, Russell & Bromley) remains the biggest look in footwear, adding height and elegance to this season's key romantic and utility looks. Stack your bangles high this season - no fashionable arm should be seen without bundles of them…Belt-up! Large plated leather safari style belts (Warehouse) cinch in and define the waist this spring. Oversized round retro style sunglasses (Topshop, Chloe, Diesel) are key to finishing off any stylish summer outfit.

Tramp2Vamp's twelve must have pieces:

1. Wide-leg trousers - Next, Whistles, Coast
2. A safari jacket - Warehouse, Full Circle, Principles
3. The Maxi dress - H&M, Next, Topshop.
4. Pale denim - Topshop, Next, Paige
5. A wedge heel - River Island, LK Bennett, Ugg
6. The clutch bag - Topshop, Reiss, Dorothy Perkins
7. A trench coat - Boden, Gap, M&S, Banana Republic
8. The full skirt - Reiss, Oasis, Cos
9. A statement print - Whistles, M&S, Monsoon
 
If you want or need help finding fashions to suit you contact us for more information on info@tramp2vamp.com or call 0845 430 9388.

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