What to buy, what to wear – Spring Summer 2016

Catwalk to Closet – My recommendations for what summer styles to buy for Spring and Summer 2016

culotte dungarees and bardot top

It’s that time of year when I do my bi-annual what to buy and wear for the coming season blog. Spring and summer is definitely my favourite time of year so I can’t wait to be ditching the coats and boots and getting some lighter weight clothing on again and getting some skin out! So what to buy over the next couple of months to last through until September?

Summer styles for 2016

Still big this year is fringing on bags, jackets and boots. Culottes, jumpsuit and boiler suits are still around after being very on trend last year.  The sleeveless waistcoat – both long and short,but particularly with a tied waist, is very much here to stay which is great news as it create such an elegant silhouette and makes even the simplest top and jeans look amazing.

tie sleeveless waistcoat

Bomber jackets are big business as well this season and are the perfect transitional item to get us from cold winter to hopefully warm early summer. Plain or patterned, bright or muted – there is a style and pattern for everyone. My personal favourite is the mustard one from H&M. Although they also do a great khaki one too which taps into one of this years key colours.

bomber jacket

New (to the high street at least) this season are cropped flares.  They look amazing on models but are a tricky trend for most of us to wear as they make the leg look shorter and unless teamed with the right items can look odd… probably one trend to avoid unless tall and slender or have a dramatic style preference.

cropped flares &             ankle tie flats

Another key look is the off the shoulder top, also known as a bardot top, and cut away shoulder tops. Bardot tops are definitely a flattering trend for us all to buy into as they make the shoulders look wider and our hips and thighs narrower as a result. Cut away shoulders are also very flattering as they allow us to show show flesh but keeping most of us covered –  a great shape for 50+ women..

cutaway shoulder top

Shirt dresses are also everywhere in 2016.  These are a very versatile item of clothing that can be worn with bare legs and sandals or over leggings/skinnies and are great beach cover ups over bikinis and cossies instead of sarongs or kaftans. Worth investing in for this season but will last for years.

shirt dress

Key colours this year are khaki and pink. Khaki is  particularly good for those of us with a warm undertone to the skin. Pink is also everywhere and is better for those of us with cool undertone to the skin.  Flat shoes with lace ties and again very popular, as are multiple buckle shoes and metallic block heeled shoes. Mules are also having a bit of a renaissance. Available flat and heeled in all types of patterns and styles.

block heeled multiple buckle shoes

Denim in all sorts of permutations, washes and cuts remains very much with us.  The perennial classic.

My personal favourite look of this year so far is the culotte dungaree hybrid (as pictured). Successfully combining 3 key trends; dungarees, culottes and denim. I’ve already ordered this pair!

Follow up

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