Out With The Winter Fashion

With winter receding more quickly by the minute, many Britons are looking forward to the summer – the World Cup, the holidays and the new fashion trends.

Every passing season means a chance to update wardrobes as new colours, designs and cuts become fashionable. Last summer, colour blocking – and bold statements like electric blue – was all the rage, but expect a much more timid affair this year. Plain colours – we’re talking beiges, greys and skin tones – are going to be on display in businesses as well as on the little material worn on the beaches and in the nightclubs populated by Brits.

For the colder days, expect the country’s favourite garment – those trusty old jeans – to be out in force. It won’t just be denim on the lower half, however, as double denim is set to be big. Think jeans and a denim jacket or a denim skirt with matching shirt. The simple rule with two tone denim is to break it up. Girls can look to chunky belts to provide a dividing line between top and bottom halves, while men should consider an unbuttoned shirt with a (non-denim!) T-shirt underneath. You may feel the need to don a cowboy hat or stick on an 80s soft rock record but we’re told this isn’t strictly necessary, merely a side effect of too much denim.

If this look doesn’t inspire you, think instead of going for a nautical theme. Nothing over the top – no need for full sailor’s uniform – as this year designers tell us the ideal look is predominantly white, with a little dash of blue and a touch of red to spruce it up. Add some blue stripes to your top and you’re practically seaworthy, and whether you opt for trousers or mens shorts will depend purely on how proud you are of your knees and the day’s weather and shipping forecasts. Leave your football shorts in your wardrobe and opt for a pair of sharp cotton shorts instead.

Of course, no summer is complete without the optimistic purchase of a new pair of shades and flip flops. Sunnies can be worn in whatever form you like – wraparounds, sporting varieties and aviators are all popular and perfect for looking summery while protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Flip flops are ideal footwear for a beach walk, but just be aware that if you’re tempted to team them with a pair of socks – much like the day you decide it’ll be practical to start tucking your T-shirt into your trousers – it’s a sign that you’re starting to get old and you might need to look for fashion advice more heavily than before.