Q is for quantity…

…as in how many items you can wear at one time. Layering is a look for all seasons, but layering clothes in summer and achieving the balance between looking good but not over heating is a skill.

Luckily this season has a sheer romantic air running through the trends, with many designer geniuses doing the hard work for you with their ‘here’s what I made earlier’ ruffled, tiered and floaty creations – helping you to create that layered look with minimal effort.

Although for any fashionista worth their title, the ‘hard work’ of shopping and putting together the outfit is the fun part. For a layered look start with the basics – neutral colours in sheer and floaty fabrics are a great foundation. When you’re picking out what colours to wear, choose contrasting or similar shades that compliment each other. Sheer also doesn’t have to mean bare or see-through. Try layering a sheer loose vest over one of summer’s fabulous prints or a chiffon blouse over a camisole to achieve a chic look without the exposure.

For a layered look that is oh so now, try adding some pop to your colour palette by combining neutrals with an accent piece in summer’s bright hues. Look for juicy shades such as canary yellow, orange and fuchsia as these mix great with basics and really offset the colour. The bold and brave amongst us should try layering neutral sheers over brights, whereas those who shy away from attention-grabbing colours can still achieve the look by adding a brightly coloured neck scarf, belt or jewellery.

Ruffled and tiered tops and skirts are great for an instant layered look, but don’t go overboard by wearing both at the same time. Unless it’s a ruffled dress you’re wearing, go for ruffles either on the top or bottom at one time and team with a basic piece on the other half and a belt to emphasise your waist and avoid drowning your figure in masses of material. Belts of all sizes, from ultra-skinny to wide corset belts are great for cinching a flowing blouse or top and balancing out a full skirt.  

And when the summer sun begins to set and the evening becomes slightly cooler, add a cute little jacket or cardigan for a stylish but practical look that will see you survive the British summer.

Above all, the good thing about layering is that combining old garments gives you a new look without even having to go out and buy a new outfit!

P is for Poolside Glamour…

… Never before it seems has beachwear been as glamorous, so much so this season’s beach look deserves a post all to itself.

We all go on holiday with the intention to escape daily life, let our hair down and relax, and with most girls you’ll find that that includes taking time out from the daily routine of applying make-up and straightening those unruly frizzy strands of hair. It’s rare you will find a female who doesn’t admit to the liberating feeling that comes with being able to wake up in the morning and head to the pool without as much as a scrap of make-up on – but then there’s no denying that ‘naked faced, half-naked’ self-awareness that comes when that sexy guy you were flirting with the night before when you looked your sun-kissed best strides towards your lounger. Well girlies, you will be pleased to know that, make-up or no make-up, wobbly bits or no wobbly bits, looking gorgeous by the pool has never been easier!

The summer of 2008 echoes the striking looks of the 1970’s, think ‘Bond Girl’ revived noughties style and combined with tribal and safari-inspired trends to create bold and sensational looks to lounge by the pool.

The base begins with the swim wear – go for a halter neck bikini top, a cut-out swimsuit or all-in-one with a plunging neckline. Choose colours such as metallic gold and bronze, black or white, or make a bold and bright statement with sunset corals, oranges and yellows, which complement a glowing tan fabulously. Animal, ethnic and tribal prints and pieces decorated with gold details such as rings, beads and chains, fab sequin, jewel and mirror embellishment emulate a hippy chic and opulent flair.

Every wise girl knows a trip to the beach cannot be without some form of cover-up – not only from the sun between sunbathing sessions, but also to cover that bloated belly from the night before. Kaftans are the ideal choice and have ultimately replaced sarongs as this season’s must-have beach bag item. Either long or short, a full and flowing voluminous silhouette or a more close fitted straight style edged with plunging embellished necklines, kaftans are suitable for any height or figure when it comes to achieving a truly elegant and sexy sunbathing style. Team a kaftan with a wide belt to create a sexy hourglass shape and sandals for a stunning beach-to-bar look any time of the day.

Accessories are big this season. A statement floppy hat or headscarf tied round bandeau style screams iconic seventies’ sophistication, beach bags should be oversized and glitzy, beads and bangles chunky, and sandals gladiator style or metallic and jewelled. Finish the look with super-sized sunglasses – the epitome of high-octane glamour, not only do they look alluring and add a touch of Hollywood style that cleverly masks even the most tired eyes, they also offer the best possible protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

N is for Nature…

…You don’t have to risk your life this season in the deep dark jungle to enjoy the call of the wild with the beauty of nature transpiring into some fabulous catwalk collections.

The runways were in full bloom as florals came in every shape and form, including English-garden prints, shoulder-padded floral dresses, and hand-painted pieces; Celebs and models alike are all in a flutter over feathers with peacock, swan and parrot plumage cascading down the catwalk everything from skirts, tops and shoes; and animal prints have gone beyond the usual appearance of the leopard print to include cartoon-style bat prints, snake skin, moc croc and zebra prints in all colours.

Even jewellery has gone wild this season, with Roberto Cavalli doing a great ‘Just Cavalli’ range that is featured on the Shade Station website. From animal print tusk pendants and earrings to bangles and bracelets in the shape of pythons, these are the perfect pieces to show a glimpse of your inner animal.

O is for Orange…

…and yellow, pink, green and blue, in fact any colour goes this season. From shocking shades of neon, bright and breezy sunset colours and juicy citrus hues to a bold primary palette and dazzling deep jewel shades – it’s a bright, bright summer this year.

Be experimental – dare to pile on crazy clashing block colours and neon shades complement a tan fabulously. Runway collections are awash with combinations of tie-dye and graduated effects in tonal colours, with many colourful floor-length sweeping styles oozing uber glamour. But if top-to-toe colour isn’t your thing, add a jolt of vibrancy to any outfit with rainbow accessories.

Make a quirky statement Mui Mui style with a colour combination patchwork handbag and multi-coloured gladiator sandals, pile high up the arm chunky funky plastic bangles in a variety of clashing colours, and decorate your fingers and ears with big bold dazzling jewels.

This is also the season where colourful shades are a must-have. If there’s ever one trend to pay homage to the rainbow its retro, purely due to the sheer varying fashions from the different decades this one word encompasses. Vintage style collections are everywhere this season, with the likes of Rayban wayfarers making their colourful comeback in all colours and prints, and brands such as Dior and D&G boasting fabulous oversized sunglasses with brightly coloured frames.