The key pieces for Summer!
We know the trends for summer but what are the exact items you actually need to rush and buy? Read on for FiFi’s must have pieces for summer…( when it comes!)
Accessories next week!
What: The Statement dress.
Which: This summer continues to be the season of the dress. It’s about little dresses and big shoes. The good news? A dress is ageless, recession proof and there is a dress to suit every style, every bottom and every budget. Look for a strong, architectural shape with shoulder details. Short is big news if you have great legs. It could be strapless. It might be a one shouldered with interesting goddess draping details. Or a simple dress in a single bold, bright colour. We love white but there are pretty florals or graphic African prints. You always want chic timeless classic black. You may even squeeze into a sexy body con number if you have stopped eating in 1995. NB: your wallet will have a big say and so will your bottom.
Why: Because who doesn’t want something that makes life easy? Throw on a dress, grab your bag and shoes and you’re out the door. In two seconds flat. (Run back: put on your undies). No worrying about what goes with what. Because from work to weekend to weddings a dress always right. Because a dress is pretty and feminine. Because if you ask George Clooney what to wear and then hold up trousers or a dress, you know the answer.
Wear: A dress will love to be seen with any outrageous shoes. In fact every dress will insist upon it. A dress will beg for platforms, wedges, gladiators or peep toes. A pretty dress needs tough shoes to add a fashion edge. And oh, flat shoes can be tricky: they should only be seen with a full, skirted flirty dress. A dress will also love a sharp shouldered jacket on cool evenings. A dress will love a belt to cinch in the shape and add texture. A dress will adore a big jeweled necklace, or tons of cuffs. It will cry out for a jewelled brooch. A dress does not ever want to be calf length. And will never be seen with a short cardigan unless it’s feeling frumpy. (Or you are the wife of the President).
Where: Balmain, Marni, Karen Walker, Country Road, Jayson Brunsdun, Camilla and Marc, Willow, Scanlan & Theodore
What: The peak power shouldered jacket.
Which: The jacket continues to be the hot, hot, hot item du jour for summer. Relax. A jacket can be cool, cool, cool even in summer. Look for a sharp tailored jacket with big shoulder detail. It could have short puffed sleeves, ¾ length sleeves or wide cap sleeves that go way, way out, sitting like a balcony over the shoulder. It should have shoulder pads even if it’s sleeveless. This is not a joke. Bless. It should be single breasted. Double breasted is Ok if you can rock the eighties look. Go for gabardine, silk or cotton. It could have military buttons. It should be in a dark versatile colour: You want a dress in a bright colour not a jacket. You could wear white but only if you are not on friendly speaking terms with any dogs, food or children.
Why: Because a peak shouldered jacket is an instant wardrobe updater. Because it will wake up any old clothes curled up in a foetal position in the back of your wardrobe. Because a sharp shoulder will make your waist look smaller. And you will thank me. Every day. Because even in summer we need a tailored jacket to give us shape and structure (After a winter of peanut butter toast). Because a peak shouldered jacket is new and exciting and here to stay. It’s fashion and we love it.
Wear: A peak shouldered jacket is a hard worker: it will smile and happily go with anything you throw at it. It loves dresses. For evenings toss it over your strapless mini dress or a pretty floral number. And roll up the sleeves. For work try a peak shoulder jacket over a flirty skirt and belt it in. For weekends this jacket will love black jeans and a sequin top. Try a peak shouldered with peg leg pants, a simple white tank and monster heels: always heels. Tip. With a sleeveless jacket wear a Metallicus sheer long sleeve Tee to hold in muffin arms. This will enable you to safely wave arms in any direction.
Where: Balmain, Donna Karan, DKNY, Nicola Finetti, Yohjin Bae, Willow, Bianca Spender, Portmans
What: The Jumpsuit
Which: The sexy 70’s jumpsuit has to be one of the hottest pieces for summer. Stop muttering expletives and put that frown away. If you can frown that is. I promise you a jumpsuit can look fabulous. From sporty to hippy, futuristic eighties or simply strapless, the jumpsuit is in all shapes and sizes. Keep away from floral unless you can count your age on one hand. Instead try simple chic block colours like navy, nude or black. Go for a jumpsuit with some kind of structure on the top and one that is cinched in at the waist to give you one. Halter neck is good and so is a tuxedo style. Keep the details simple and streamlined: the silhouette is tricky enough as it is. Tip: Don’t wear with flats, a backpack or a helmet unless you are jumping out of plane.
Why: Because we haven’t seen the jumpsuit for years: it looks new, modern and sexy. Because it’s a casual cross between a dress and pants. Because a jumpsuit has a sexy, throw away easiness that is perfect for summer. Because it has the versatility of a dress: No mixing and matching. Just throw it on and voila, you’re ready. Because you need to give up drinking. Anything. (Getting out of this in the bathroom requires more discipline than AA).
Wear: Wear with killer heels, Monster heels, Alien heels. You need heels to inject a sophisticated glamorous edge (and to stop you looking as if you work always with a spanner in your hand). Make sure you add a belt to cinch in the waist. You can toss a blazer over a jumpsuit but ditch anything loose and unstructured. Layer it over a sequin tank or a white Tee. It will be sexiest with nothing underneath. Tip: Do not wear a shirt under a jumpsuit (or I will give you a parachute and make you jump).
Where: Stella mcCartny, Scanlan Theodore, Arthur Galan, DKNY, Camilla and Marc, Karen Walker, Seduce, Witchery.
What: Pants ( peg, skinny or wide)
Which: What, many of you have asked me, are peg leg pants? Are they something to do with Rolf Harris? Please don’t be afraid. They are trousers that sit on (or just below) your waist with front pleats. Then taper in and slouch to a loose and soft narrow leg that stops around the top of the ankle. This is the new silhouette. I have a feeling you will choose these instead of nappy/harem pants. Go for a dark versatile colour (What?! You don’t want to wear hot pink peg legs?) such as black or navy. You could try a light colour if your legs can handle it. Stay away from any pants that are tight: the fabric should be slightly floppy and the cut should have an easy fit. The only place the peg leg pants should cling is just around the top of the calf.
Why: Because they are comfortable. Because they are surprisingly flattering. Because the front pleats skim over the croissants sitting on your hips. Because the high waist sucks in the muffin top. Because pants are baaack big time and this is the start of a new silhouette. Because you should invest in the beginning of a trend (Then get years of wear from it). Because black pants will always be a pivotal piece in your wardrobe.
Wear: Peg leg pants love, love, love to go out with heels. The more outrageous and over the top, the better. Sorry there is no discussion. You don’t wear heels? Then buy wide leg classic pants instead. (Flats + peg leg pants = I Dream of Jeanie). Wear peg leg pants with a serious peak shoulder blazer. Wear a belt to give you shape and emphasize the waist. Remember voluminous or slightly baggy pants need a tight top. Dark pants means you can have fun on the top so try a bright satin tank, a one shoulder top, or a sexy sequin tank. Tip: Always define the waist so tuck your top in.
Where: DKNY, Hugo Boss, Victor and Rolf, Camilla and Marc, Country Road, Cue, Kate Sylvester, Wayne Cooper, Bettina Liano, Witchery.
What: The Luxe Top
Which: Crystal, jewels, sequins, lace and beads: embellishment continues to be a big trend for summer. The best way to wear this trend? Invest in a Luxe top. Go for a relaxed, loose style: anything too tight and you are channeling Cher. Dolly Parton. Celine Dion. And keep away from any shape that’s too tricky: you will look like Lady GaGa. This is not a good thing. Go for a matte sequin tank, a lace top, a beaded Tee, or a glitter top. You want silver, white, black or gold. Bright colours + sparkle = Cheap (Sorry to swear at you).
Why: Because you want to sparkle on the top of the body. (Beaded bottoms anyone? Hurts to sit down.) Because strong, hard tailored shapes need some shine to lighten the look. Because a Recessionista needs something shimmering to brighten up the day. Because there is nothing sexier than sparkling sequins next to sun kissed skin.
Wear: With jeans, or peg leg pants, parachute pants or pencil skirts in understated colours. You want to dress down the glitzy glitter. Make sure a sequin top is the centre piece of your look: ditch anything else sparkling that will fight for attention. We don’t like fights. Or people mistaking you for a Christmas tree. Mix the fabrics and clash the look: For day wear try a Luxe top with faded boyfriend jeans or layer the sparkle over a white tank to add a casual touch and anchor the look. For night try a chic sequin tank with peg leg pants, a flirty skirt or with sexy short shorts. Oh and did I mention heels?
Where: Balmain, Donna Karan, Bettina Liano, Maticevski, Nicola Finetti, Manning Cartell, David Lawrence, Portmans, Country Road, Esprit.
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