Also looking for a lighter coat, something coloured, not wool and not belted, but there isn’t much about. A velvet jacket would do if I could find one that was bust friendly. There are mountains of cardigans which are different and cool, lots of short sleeved ones especially.
There isn’t many sandals in the shops so far, but like Inge, I have noticed lots of shoes with ankle straps, which I love but the heels are higher than I would actually wear.
The dress situation is the same as others have said – short dresses to wear over leggings or maxi dresses. Some of my work colleagues wear the tunic dress and leggings combo very well with knee boots. So they are making the most of their dresses before the weather gets too warm for boots!

But the itmes here are also very quickly marked down 50-70% in many shops, so I guess we shouldn’t complain too much .

Thanks for reporting from Belgium, Inge. I can’t believe that there is a small selection of blouses and knitted tops in your neck of the woods. Crazy!

Other things I’ve noticed in the shops here (Belgium):
- mostly plain looking one and two inch heeled- shoes (not all that many options to start with) and loads of high, pointy heeled pumps
- lots of shoes with ankle straps
- some turquoise and green items (I’d love to see more), tomato red is everywhere, yellow is popping up too, quite a lot of darker colours for Summer as well
- very limited choice in casual and dressy jackets
- tons of regular (quite boxy) tees, not too many knitted and woven tops
- a very good selection of affordable Summer scarves and fashion jewellery
- finally some brighter coloured Converse sneakers
- heaps of floral prints, and some geometrical ones too

I’m a little envious of all the super bargains to be had in your neck of the woods. Discounts are still very rare over here (Benetton had 30% on selected items). I’d almost say it’s the opposite: merchandise has been getting more expensive over the last few seasons (even in the more affordable shops like Esprit, Mexx, InWear, etc.). It doesn’t seem to make sense.

I completely agree about the summer dresses. I have been on a mission over the last two years, but I’m 5′9″ and everything is WAY too short. I think it is because the leggings style is so popular right now, they are trying to make them universally appealing as a tunic and a mini-dress. I hand wash dry clean only clothes, so I don’t even care about the fabric and I still can’t find anything. I’ve decided my only option may be to shop the maxi dresses and hem them to the right length.

As for the eighties styles, I’m a little worried. I started high school in 91, so I think that giving up my eighties garb was part of my growing up process and I just associate it with being 12 years old. I just don’t think I can wear stirrup pants and dayglo tops again, but I do enjoy the influence showing up in the banded tops, bangles and skinny jeans. I’ll even try the plain leggings just so I can wear some of the crazy short dresses out there, but neon yellow anything and hot pink lace leggings (just saw them at the mall yesterday) are going to stay in my past.

I’m having a tough time finding pattern knit tops (rayon/spandex) as well. I keep and keep and keep looking and trying. And yes, the 2″ heels are always hard to find! Of course I like the simple classic stuff but I keep going in my local AT yearning for some color & pattern and it seems very sparse! Luckily, ATL has a good selection still I think.