Spring/Summer 2010 Trends and Must Haves

The chill is getting sub-dued. And the warmer and fun season would start. The Spring/Summer Collection is hitting the stores now, so before you head for shopping, just check the Spring/Summer 2010 trends.

The strong woman is swept aside and a more feminine, flirty and fun is in. Tulle, ruffles, ribbons, florals, pastels, patterned skirts, delicate fabrics and bows dominated Spring 2010 runways.

Simple and clear cut shapes, elegance, fresh pastel colours, flirty dresses, clean white silhouettes, electric blue, supercool sneakers, ultra short (dresses, skirts and pants) are the key trends of this Spring/Summer.


Patterns and Prints

This spring/summer is rich in prints, especially patterened skirts. The big fashion houses that displayed this tend in their shows include Annua Sui, Etro, Balenciaga, Luella and Betsey Johnson.

Floral is huge, but there are many other varieties in patterns to choose from including graphic prints, abstract shapes, tribal-infused patterns, polka dots, plaids and stripes. Floral pantsuits were also quie popular with the designers.
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Pick a smart short and sleeveless dresses in closely gathered prints, you can easily wear them from a morning at the farmer's market to an evening out with friends. Prints and patterns also present a perfect opportunity to showcase color. Go natural with a fresh citrus scheme or think pretty with pinks and pastels. A more fun and feminine look would be wearing a floral dress with lace tights.

Like a patterened skirt? Wear a flowy, solid-colored top to go with patterned pencil skirts and a tailored, feminine blouse for fuller styles. Nice platform pumps would be perfect to complete the look.

You can always temper with a black belt and a black jacket. The possibilities are endless!

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Sneakers

Supercool sneakers are in this spring/summer. Wear these gorgeous pairs with boyfriend jeans and a fine-knit sweater to lend your daywear sparkle. Or pair them with leggings and a blazer to work urban cool with a feminine edge.

To add a more feminine touh to the look, wear a lacey camisole with slim trousers and a nice girly sneakers. They're fun.
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Lanvin floral Sneakers for $620, DKNY Moore Sequined Sneakers for $98 (top right), River Island pink sneakers for £13 and Pink Studded Sneakers for £25.

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Electric Blue

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Electric blue hue is hot this season. The colour looks fresh and suits every skin tone. In fact, this colour has ben showcased in even the Fall/Winter 2010-2011 lines. So girls on budget can add this colour in the wardrobe to be sure it takes you through the Winter, and to make a statement.

You can wear the colour with whites, blacks. If a dress or a top would be bit much, then just add a pop of colour with nice pair of blue shoes or a stylish blue bag or a scarf. Love the Ossie Clark blue scarf (below). Its stylish and smart, and the pop of blue looks perfect.

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Ossie Clark scarf for £56, Catherine Malandrino ruffle top for £271 and Chloé clogs (£83) in electric blue

Spring Summer 2010 Beauty Trends

Natural an playful is the trend this spring summer. Neon brights fade away this summer while pastels are injected with just enough pigment for the drama. Complexions are fresh with a flawless finish; whatever foundation you wear make sure it's light and natural this season. Lips are in a word, pink.

Go nude, nude tones created an effortless on-the-go look, with flawless skin being the focus. Barely there makeup was ubiquitous on the runways of Gucci, Chloe, Balmain and Burberry.

Nudes and pinks to rein the lips this summer. Models at Stella McCartney, Gucci, and Burberry wore nudes and sheer pinks on the lips, keeping warm weather beauty simple and chic. Slick on a pale pink gloss or dot a beige lipstick on your pout for the hottest beauty trend this season. The closer your lipstick colour is to your natural lip colour, the trendier it is.

Purple your eyes this spring/summer, it's Hot and really makes the eye pop. From soft lilac to stronger blocked purples, whatever suits your skin tone best. From runways to celebs, everyone is loving this season's purple eye trend. It goes great with the nude faces.

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Dazzling party pieces for Spring/Summer 2010

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Spring Bling, crystals, gold and glitters are high in this season's party trend, but in soft hues. Chic but not loud, these party pieces have an elegance and glamour that offsets the glitz.
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Lipsy Brocade Prom Dress for £65 and Oasis Sequin Crop Top for £38

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Karen Millen Sequined Knitted Jacket (left) for £135 and Alice + Olivia 'Casey' Sequin Dress (right) for $495

Remember the rule when you wear the bling: be chic, not showy.

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Related Posts:

Pastels Dominating Spring Catwalks
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Smart Dressing - Look Taller with Nude Shoes

Leg Lengthening Shoes - nude.

Elongate your legs by wearing skin tone or nude coloured shoes. A shoe that closely matches your skin tone helps elongate your petite legs, making you appear taller.

Nude simply refers to shoes that matches your skin tone.

Ankle Strap Shoes cut off your ankles, cutting off your length, so avoid them. Instead wear shoes that match your skin tone - a pair of nude shoes elongates your legs making you look taller and leaner.

You need not restrict your outfit to just light colours. The best part is, you can team your high heeled nude shoes with all the colours - blacks, whites, bright colours.

Petite celebrities, like Reese Witherspoon, Victoria Beckham, wear nude shoes (even to the red carpet events) as it creates an illusion of longer legs, making them look taller and their legs leaner.

Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman in nude shoes

(Nicole certainly is not petite, but she did pick nude shoes, probably to look leaner)
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Our Picks:
(image on top)
1. Banana Republic 'Rocio' for $160
2. Bertie Bow Back Court Shoes for £74
3. ASOS Cross Front Sandals for £29
4. Karen Millen Satin Peep Toe Shoes for £135

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Nude looks great in various shoe styles like peep toes, platforms, mary janes, pointed toed pumps or courts.

Go get yourself a pair, what more could a girl ask for in a shoe?


Related Posts:
Look slimmer with smart dressing
Smart Dressing - different looks with same wardrobe
Spring Earrings - Earrings for your Face Shape

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6 Worldly Buys

On your next trip to London, New York, Dubai or Singapore, six absolute must visit stores.

1. Bebe
Bebe represents fashion that is inspirational, distinctive and unmistakably sensual that provides for the modern, sophisticated and confident woman who aspires to a high level of luxury and glamour with clothes that fit and flatter the contours of her body.

Through high quality designs with its signature sassy edge and detailing, this American label makes dressing up effortless and exciting. Bebe’s collections are highly individual, beautifully structured and produced from quality fabrics.

And guess what? 8 out of 10 times you will find a Bollywood babe wearing the Bebe clothes you picked from the store.

Best pick: Dresses, t-shirts, vests, satin (skirts, dresses, blouses)
Weight on Wallet: $$$$$
Store Locator

L-R: Priyanka Chopra, Mischa Barton, Malaika Arora, Eva Longoria in bebe

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2. Karen Millen
Sophisticated, stylish, high-quality and fashionable describes the Karen Millen label. More upmarket than many of its high street neighbours, Karen Millen is one of the chic fashion brands that bridge the gap between the high street and designer markets.
Stars from Hollywood to Bollywood love to wear Karen Millen. They guarantee high quality beautifully designed clothing, footwear and accessories.

Best pick: Dresses, clutch bags
Weight on Wallet: $$$$$
Store Locator

L-R: Deepika Padhukone, Mary Parker, Twinkle Khanna, Priyanka Chopra and Eva Longoria in Karen Millen

3. Zara
One of the best high street stores, the Spanish brand Zara, produces great versions of good quality high-end designer looks. The store is one of few that offers quick fashion after the clothes has appeared on the catwalk.

The perfect place to pick up everything you could need to get a fabulous head-to-toe look. No shopping trip is complete without a visit to Zara.

Best picks: Shirts (formal to casual), coats, dresses (I think almost everything).

Weight on Wallet: $$$-$$$$
Store Locator

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4. River Island
Known for its constantly evolving, stylish and high quality fashion, the British high-street brand River Island is a must visit store. From funky to sophisticated they have something to suit every woman's style. The attention to detail they give to their clothes and the quality they offer at the price offering is remarkable.

Best picks: Shirts, jeans, evening tops and bags. Their jeans quality and fit is amazing making it a must-buy.
Weight on Wallet: $$$
Store Locator

L-R: Mana Shetty (top) and Katie Price (Bleached Jeans) in River Island

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5. Topshop
Topshop is without doubt the best value and most cutting edge fashion store on the high street. . Their constantly changing collection, catwalk inspired clothing and accessories are favourite among the young style conscious audience.

Winner of several Best High Street Shop Award, Topshop is a must visit store on your shopping spree abroad. Their overwhelming choices (especially in the London Oxford Street store), huge variety in sizes and great collection, fitting every budget, will definitely make any woman happy.

Best picks: Jackets, denim pants, prom dresses and belts.
Weight on Wallet: $$$
Store Locator
Stars love to wear Topshop

6. New Look
New Look offers trendy looks at reasonable prices. Their trendy collections are heavily inspired by catwalk and in terms of value for money, no one can beat new look among the high street brands.

Maybe not the best quality, but their products are good quality and last long enough to last many seasons till you get bored. Their constantly changing selection ensures that they always keep up with fashion. The accessories here are particularly fab.

Best picks: Accessories, shoes, jackets and knickers.
Weight on Wallet: $$
Store Locator

$$$$$ - most expensive

$ - least expensive
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