S/S 2011

Relaxing my way through Thursday evening I have found myself listening to The Kills and painfully trying to write. I have been collecting my thoughts over the past week on the new collections teetering on inclusion into the mainstream anytime now, and although the new year started twelve too many days ago, here is what Spring 2011 has in store for my wardrobe (well it's actually more like a cupboard but whatever).

SEVENTIES: 

Forget about flower power, peace signs, and copious amounts of drugs. This year's take on the seventies is a much more sophisticated version of what usually provides the likes of Primark with vomit inducing swirl prints and far too much fringed suede. 

Trousers will become high and dresses long. Think long, sweeping, sheer maxi's accentuated with bold accessories come night, and high-waisted super-flared trousers with sheer blouses for sunlight hours. Take what is quintessentially seventies and tone it down more than a notch, to perfectly execute the look that is demure but sexy. 

Fill your fingers with rings, and adorn your hair with braids. Luxe fabrics will be the key to ensure your look is somewhere between Woodstock and Studio 54, but fret not, that still leaves room for oodles of denim, suede, and hotpants. 

Anna Sui 

Rodarte

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs 

Diane Von Furstenberg

MINIMALISM: 

Usually only a dream for those who can successfully eat dinner without decorating the front of their crisp, clean, white wears, minimalism will be as evident as ever, only this time the colour palette has been extended. Thank God.  

This look is simple, well constructed, and very understated. Clean lines perfectly accentuate solid, block colours with very little detailing. The ultimate trend in parred down dressing that looks simply divine. 

3.1 Philip Lim

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang

YSL 

PUNK:

They conceived this winter's shearling revival, and come summer we will all be thanking Burberry for an influx of skinnier-than-now trousers with lashings of leather, and a sprinkle of embellishment. Even Chanel have gone all good-girl-gone-bad, adding holes not unlike cigarette burns to their iconic monochrome palette, and more Kohl than Amy Winehouse has seen in her lifetime to the models. 

Although this trend always lingers around the emphasis this time is more Joan Jett, less 80's hooker. High waisted denim cut-off's should be worn with opaque tights, a sturdy heel, and a studded jacket. Fashion doesn't always have to be full on, and to make this trend right, you need to combine well fitted and detailed pieces with a couldn't-care-less attitude. If you need inspiration think Carine Roitfield - shabby chic at it's best. 

Balmain 

Burberry Prosum 

Chanel 

Jean Paul Gaultier 

COLOUR: 

Like a packet of Starburst the catwalk's were full of colour back in November, lighting up the dreary winter rain with jewel-coloured splashes of lace and Lego style blocked pieces. Christopher Kane referenced Princess Margaret as inspiration for his collection, turning round what may have been a bunch of dreary twin-sets with the use of neon lace...can he do any wrong? 

Colour blocking was a popular choice by designers, looking toward the primary colours to keep the trend fresh and updated. Keep pieces plain and let the colour do the talking. Try a simple, bright shift dress with clashing jacket and hat, extend the look from head to toe and if you look like a giant crayon then you've got the idea. 

Diane Von Furstenberg 

Christopher Kane 

Alexandre Herchovitch

Giles

Moschino Cheap and Chic

PRINT CLASHING: 

Prints are plentiful for Spring with no lack in creativity over how to wear them, what to wear them with, and what they look like. Animal is in, as is picnic-style tablecloth prints. Designers like Holly Fulton and Mary Katranzou produced collections with their own bold statement prints, while Erdem and Unique kept things brash while at the same time very soft.

Prints should be worn together and remain contrasting. A skinny high-waisted trouser will definitely be the first thing to enter my Spring wardrobe, and they will preferably be in bloom. If however it all becomes too much, try keeping the colours soft and subtly work the look with a printed jacket over a gentle dress. 

Mary Katranzou

Unique

Balenciaga 

Holly Fulton

Mui Mui 

Erdem

SHEER AND LACE: 

Dresses are long and very sheer. Wide sheer trousers are to be worn with high waisted Gaga pants and a definite heel. This is my most favourite trend to come from the S/S fashion week's but seeing as I live in Scotland, it looks like the hardest one for me to pull off. 

Understated and whimsical, to proper and sexy. Gowns floated down the catwalk to give a look that is very, very soft while a flash of flesh sexed it all up a little. American Apparel and Topshop are already overflowing with sheer pieces, some already in the sale probably seeing as the sub-zero temperatures us Brit's must endure call only for wooly tights and jumpers...even in summer.

Clean, crisp, white lace was punctuated with flashes of neon throughout the November shows. Delicate and intricate dresses were made traditionally, while some fashion forward thinkers used laser techniques to graphically cut patterns into leather. Never a knew trend but this season sees lace take on a completely fresh look. And I adore it.  

Hannah Marshall

Dolce & Gabbana

Lanvin

Erdem

Charles Anastase

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: 

Not a trend but needs a mention simply because I love what Sarah Burton has done. The aesthetics and drama of McQueen toned down with the touch of a woman. I love it all.