Summer trends 2012

Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Make your summer extra wonderful – rejuvenate your wardrobe with the trendiest fashion and accessories that hit the stores this season. Check out our latest discoveries from the leading fashion brands available at Dubai’s shopping malls.

Get ‘new-season’ ready, and dive into 2012’s most fabulous Spring/Summer trends to kick start your wardrobe into its chicest and sleekest season yet.

After displaying a daring explosion of prints and colours on the runways, we can definitely say that this season is all about “more is more”. Bright bursts of bold color like cobalt blue, yellow, orange, berry, neon and other zesty hues lit up the catwalks this season, from highlighter yellow to fluorescent green.

White still proves to be the ultimate staple season after season. Alabaster, ivory, cream, vanilla, cloud, pearl and talc are the perfect compliment to this season’s fabric finishes and textures from sharp tailored dresses by CH Carolina Herrera and Emporio Armani to delicate chiffon at Ralph Lauren.

If the bold and bright trend is a bit too daring, follow fashion’s romantic fling with sweet pastels in powdery hues of blush pink, baby blue, mint green, jonquil yellow and cloudy beige for a soft and dreamy mood as seen on the runways of Chloe.

Accessories are also making an impact this season in big, bold stunning shapes and colors. Designers take on a more forward approach with lots of leather, long chains, color and shine. Sleek shapes in vibrant hues deliver a high-impact punch to any ensemble.

Mix and prints for summer’s fashion

One of the biggest trends for the season is the use of collage of prints as wonderfully showcased on the runway by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chloe, Matthew Williamson, to name a few. In this issue, feast on our amazing picks of looks, shoes, bags and other accessories that fit quite right this trendy chic.

Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolce & Gabbana are the season’s ultimate mix-master collaged patterns of 17th-century botanical etchings, jungle scenes and seascapes - all in one outfit. Various designers also showcased remarkable prints digitally designed floral, geometric motifs, paisley, tribal and Hawaiian for maximum impact in the form of dresses and fancy pants.

Indeed, garments that play with graphic contrasts between clean and unstructured lines open the summer 2012 season. Also introduced are contrasts based on ecru, black and navy, using color block, stripes and inserts in the must have colors of the season: coral, yellow, orange, emerald green and pink. These trends are also evident on accessories – bags, shoes, belts, scarves – making the season looking more fun than ever.

As a counterpoint to other big trends that are flowing shapes and clean lines, there is a clear ‘60s influence, particularly on the mix and prints quite popular this summer. A more casual range brings together craft-style elements in different ethnic looks, mixed with sportswear details to create a very easy, urban look. Tie-dye, abstract prints and patchwork in shades of indigo and yellow with washed-out effects.

The light fabrics, pleats and gathers provide movement and add anew, fresh femininity to the women’s collection this season.