Summer Fashion Spectacular!
Want to know what to buy right now? Invest in these fabulous key pieces now to take you through this summer and into next winter...

What: The Narrow Shift-Dress
Why: Because it’s the season of The Dress. Because stark, austere minimalism is back. Because it’s all about narrow tailoring and a fierce cut. Because it’s time to say au revoir, goodbye and that’ll be all thanks to big, fat, loose Empire dresses that make you look like J.LO (6 months ago). It’s time to think long and lean. It’s time to stop eating. Sorry. Because with all the emphasis on statement accessories you need a blank canvas. Because it makes getting dressed a no-brainer. Which gives you more time to think about shoes.
Which: You want a narrow sheath or shift-dress. A clean-cut narrow shape that hugs you in the right places. A dress in a plain bright colour like red, blue or orange. Or in simple muted colours like grey and taupe. It could be in block colours or with wide stripes. It’s probably NOT in a print or a floral. It should be sleeveless or with cap sleeves. It could be in a heavier fabric to give it structure and so it holds its stiff shape. It should be unadorned, confident and bold in its simplicity.
Wear: With serious over the top statement necklaces a la Burberry, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton. Wear with bold tough cuffs and stacks of bangles. Wear with a wide patent belt with double buckles to cinch in your waist. If you go for a vivid shade clash your accessories. Wear with your favourite statement surrealist heels. Layer over a simple white tee or throw under a trench. Wear it simple and minimalist. 
Where: Country Road, Witchery, Veronika Maine, Morrissey, Paul and Joe, Calvin Klein, Roland Mouret, Balenciaga..

What: The Dramatic Black Sculptured/Pleated/Architectural Dress
Why: Because black is back. Because if a dress is black and simple it needs to have interesting details. When black dominates you want to play with texture. Because the Little Black Dress never goes out of fashion. Because Gothic, Medieval and Victoriana are all key words of the fashion season.
Which: You want a black dress that is simple in cut but in an amazing fabric like lace. You want a black dress that has a geometric cut. You want a dress with interesting pleats, with big balloon sleeves or with a dramatic sculptured collar. You want a black dress that is knee length, that is in chiffon, in satin, or bold lace a la Prada. You want quirky twists like kooky bows and weird cutouts. It may have ruffles. This dress may even be one shoulder.
Wear: With your favourite stomp-a-licious platforms. A strong dress needs strong shoes to balance out the look. Keep accessories sharp and modern. You want slick silver cuffs, a bold bag, and big rings. But keep it simple. It’s about the dress so don’t over-accessorise.
Where: Target, Country Road, Witchery, Scanlan Theodore, Willow, CK Calvin Klein, Max and Co, Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Prada, YSL.

What: The Blouse.
Why: Because a blouse is part of the Gothic trend. Because trousers are back and we need a soft pretty top to work with them. Because a blouse is elegant, versatile and ageless. Because we love anything that can go from day to evening, summer to winter without blinking.
Which: Look for a blouse that is sheer, with a high collar and big poet’s sleeves. Look for a blouse in black or white or in a pretty paisley print. If you must do colour then go for a blouse in vibrant red, orange or navy. Purple is another strong trend. You might even go for a lace blouse.  You want a blouse to update your favourite skinny black pants.
Wear: With black leather trousers a la Givenchy. Wear with dark skinny black pants or loose baggy pants a la YSL. Wear with dark denim jeans or with a flirty skirt. Wear with few accessories. You don’t need a necklace but you may need a cuff.
Where: MNG, Cue, Scanlan and Theodore, Wayne Cooper, Hugo Boss, Givenchy.

What: The Tailored Blazer
Why: Because sharp tailoring is the new silhouette. Because the 80’s are back. Because we are in love with shoulder pads. Because a fiercely shaped jacket with a strong shoulder and a nipped in waist gives you curves (and makes your waist look smaller). Because after years of pretty dresses there is a return of the man-style dressing. Because we are recessionistas and we need pieces that will work from season to season. With everything.
Which: You want a jacket with shoulder pads or an exaggerated shoulder. It could just have short sleeves or cap sleeves. You want a single-breasted jacket that sits a little short. You want an investment piece to wear again and again so go for a colour that will be versatile. It could be in black or navy or in a chic taupe. You want it in a trans-seasonal fabric with as little detail as possible.
Wear: This is a wardrobe staple that you can’t live without. Watch it work with skinny jeans, with short shorts, or with your favourite Harem pants. Wear it over a floral dress, a simple tank and slouchy pants. Wear with sequin trousers. Wear with something feminine like a flirty skirt or a mini dress.
Where: Sussan, Witchery, Cue, Mossisey, Jigsaw, Hugo Boss, Max and Co, Balmain.

What: The Flirty Skirt
Why: Because the lady-like trend is still lurking. Because a pretty, flirty skirt can break up a serious look. Because a full skirt balances out big, chunky, serious platform heels. Because a flirty skirt can handle a print and a bold floral. Because it’s nice to have a skirt that swings as you walk. Swirl and twirl. Then smile.
Which: It’s about a skirt that is full and a little 50’s. That cinches in at the waist and flares out. It could be ballerina style or a skater skirt. A tulip shape is still important. If you want colour then don’t buy it in a skirt. Unless you are filthy rich and you can wear a different colour every day. If you want mileage out of your wardrobe then keep the bottom half of your body in dark colours. In black go for a skirt with texture, pleating or even a petticoat. Indulge in bold bright colours on the top.
Wear: With a top that will balance out the volume. If you have a full skirt you need a neat jacket or cling-fitting tank. Wear a sleeveless jacket belted in over a full skirt. Wear a full skirt with a leather bomber jacket or something tough. You want to give it an edge and stop the look from getting too girly. Wear with a long line rib knit cardigan and a big wide belt. Wear with huge shoes. Wear with black hosiery or fake tan.
Where: Target, Portmans, Sportsgirl, Witchery, Cue, Scanlan Theodore, Balenciaga.

What: The Geometric Print Top
Why: Because with all the black around for next winter we need to inject a little colour and fun into our lives. Because bold prints and geometric patterns are a huge trend for next summer 09. Because a print top is much easier to wear than a print skirt. Because we love Marni. Because a quirky print will add personality when you don’t have one. Bless.
Which: Think bright, bold and a little retro. Think 'will this go with what I have in my wardrobe?' Think who cares? Mix it up. Clash the colours. Go for a swirl, a check or a stripe. Go for arty or painterly prints. Or try kooky dots. Anything that tickles your fancy and your wallet.
Wear: Throw a bright geometric top with all your basic plain wardrobe staples. Wear with your black flirty skirt, your skinny black pants, a pencil skirt, with dark denim jeans, or with your stone Balenciaga Jodhpurs. If you are feeling confident then clash the prints. Think Dries Van Noten and toss on a print top with a floral skirt. Layer a geometric top under your blazer. Remember cheapo colours and cheap fabric = cheap. So if you are on a budget go for subtle, chic colour. Cheap Red can be chic. Cheap Hot Pink is not. This is a rule.
Where: Sportsgirl, Country Road, MNG, Ojay, Veronika Maine, Marni, Dries Van Noten.

What: Accessories
Which: You want serious, over-the-top shoes and bags. When the clothing budget is sad you have to have fun with accessories, and keep the clothes simple. And as you get, ahem, older, it’s best to experiment with crazy shoes and bags then kooky clothes. And remember: there are no fat days when it’s shoes you are talking about.
The Shoe: This season there are very high heels or flats. Nothing in between. Invest in some serious black patent wedges or lace up gladiators. Buy a pair of flat brown and/or black gladiators. Maybe some jewelled T-bar flats and simple ballet flats. Add colour to your wardrobe with some bright red shoes. And think of brown wedges as a neutral. You will be surprised how versatile they will be. See Louis Vuitton.
The Bag: You can keep your over-sized handbag (which could house an Olsen twin). If you want to buy a new bag the hot bag of the moment is the shoulder bag. Buy one with a chain strap a la Chanel. Or a shoulder bag with a long strap to wear hanging nonchalantly on your shoulder or across the body. You want a bag in a bright colour, in patent, with silver or gold hardware. If you are on a budget then black or brown are the best investments and of course will work with everything. Go for quality not quantity.
Jewellery: You want a big oversized bejewelled statement necklace. You want serious heavy metal cuffs. You want stacks of bangles and all sorts of cute quirky leather straps curled around your wrist. You want big bold rings. But remember FiFi rule #1: Don’t wear it all at once. Stack up the bangles and keep the neckline clean. Throw on a fabulous necklace and ditch the earrings. By the way...big earrings are making a comeback, but we'll save that for the Christmas Dressing Spectacular.