Shocking pink (or hot pink) was “the” fashion colour of the ‘80’s. After a sickening overdose, pink disappeared, but was revived in many shades from 2002 to 2004. It disappeared again until this season. It’s the last fashion colour to hit collections before end-of-season-sales (yup, Autumn collections are lurking).

The last fashion colour to emerge before a retail season ends often becomes the “it” colour of the following season. This is common international retail practice and the path yellow followed from last season into the current one.

I like pink, but I’m fussy about the shade. I prefer a saturated purple-pink that’s more like fuchsia. I like it best paired with orange, yellow, a sour green, smoky grey or white. If my predictions are correct, turquoise is going to be big next season. If shocking pink comes to play we’re in store for the biggest ‘80’s colour revival yet. Do you like pink, or have the ‘80’s killed it for you?

I’ll wear shocking pink clothing before I sport it as an accessory. I do fancy the idea of the bright pink pencil skirt though. I might need to have a squizz at J Crew.

Gladiator sandals have been trending for two seasons and this year they’re bigger than ever. They’re the “it” Summer sandal for sure, flooding the Parisian footwear market. The look is global, ethnic and edgy and at its best worn flat as it was in Roman times. I prefer gladiators in shades of brown, metal or white. I’m don’t mind black, but they are my least favourite.

Gaudy gladiators are out, but tasteful styles get my thumbs up. It’s about the ankle strap this time around and the strappier the better. The catch? More straps = less comfort. They wouldn’t last two secs on my fussy feet.

Gladiators aren’t supposed to look pretty. They are casual and have a bit of a hard edge, which I find appealing when contrasted with a girly dress, beautiful feet and a nice pedicure. I adore the look with skinny or straight leg jeans, frocks, walk shorts and clamdiggers. If they tickle your fancy, go for it. I’m envious.

An assortment of gladiator sandals. I’ve had one client all season who’s been able to appreciate and walk in this ped. Don’t feel alone if you are bypassing this trend.

I spent time at Ann Taylor and the Loft last week because of their “30% off everything friends and family promotion”. These stores are running both hot and cold colour palettes at the moment. Hues are rich and saturated.

Ann Taylor makes an impeccable product that’s perfect for the modern-classic. But the modern-classic needn’t stick to the colour discipline that a store provides. Mixing and matching items to suit your own style is key. This is precisely what happened with my client when we combined a burnt orange dress with a rich raspberry cardigan, gold and burgundy accessories, brown patent sandals and a straw handbag with dark bamboo handle. The result was simply delicious.

We continued to match the raspberry cardigan with a burnt orange sleeveless silk blouse, white pants and pearls. We then paired the same burnt orange silk blouse with blue jeans, white jacket and burgundy beads. The brown patent sandals and straw handbag remained constant and the burgundy jewelry reflected a raspberry glow in a certain light. Dynamite does come in small packages as my petite client felt explosively tall in her new colour combination.

The Ann Taylor items we used to put together the outfits described above, shown with similar accessories. A metallic go-to Summer wedge would work equally well. You don’t need to go to Ann Taylor to put this colour combination together – it might be lurking in your closet.

Three seasons along and still going strong, wedges continue to make a huge fashion statement in America. They aren’t as popular in Europe for some reason (this has been my experience in Paris, Barcelona and London).

You’ll get away with wearing one style of wedge with most of your Spring and Summer outfits if you choose wisely. Here are key characteristics to consider if you’re looking for one wedge to woo them all:

• Heel height: Select a height that’s manageable for you.
• Shoe colour: Keep the colour metallic, cream, off-white or a shade of tan. Don’t choose black. This is heavy for warm weather and won’t look as fresh and Summery as a lighter colour.
• Heel colour: Make sure the heel is in a light colour too. A contrasting black or dark brown heel has the same “heavy-looking” effect. Wood, cork, wicker or self-fabric are good options.
• Style: Opt for a refined style as opposed to anything clumpy. That way you can wear the wedge with dresses and skirts as well.

Add a pretty pedicure and Bob’s your uncle. You’ve got a flop-proof Summer shoe that matches almost anything.

There is loads of variety when it comes to this type of wedge. Select a ped that matches your style and make it your “go to” and fall back option for warm weather dressing.

Summer can mean adding a more relaxed dimension to the ensemble mix. School holiday activities, park and pool settings, hot weather holidays and uber casual, run-around-town excursions call for a slip-on fashion sneaker. The vamps are low which means that they’re prefect paired with anything from casual frocks and skirts, to walk shorts, capris, casual pants and jeans.

Choose the style wisely to maintain a somewhat sophisticated edge to your look. The goal is not to look like a teenybopper but rather to be comfy, casual, age appropriate and stylish.

Slip-on fashion sneakers like these are a little more versatile than styles with big, sporty rubberized soles. The latter look best with denim and sports inspired knitted tops… and virtually nothing else.

As predicted, there have been loads of floral designs on skirts, dresses, tunics and tops this season. I think there is a floral for everyone, even if you don’t like prints.

I tend to like floral patterns that are abstract or geometric. Sometimes they are nicest when the actual floral design is a little hard to discern. I don’t like florals that look like Sanderson floral upholstery, or ditsy country-flower prints. I tend to tire of this type of print quickly. I might like the freshness of the vibrant colours at first glance, but I’ve had enough of the look after two minutes.

If you prefer to keep your clothing print free, there is also the option of floral printed shoes. I like this option and last season’s Faryl Robin shoes are still going strong. Do you like floral patterns, and if so, what kinds?

These are my kind of florals, but busier and brighter designs can be just as fab and very Summery. Horses for courses!

Clamdiggers are the warm weather alternative to skinny and straight leg jeans. They are a capri that fits snugly through the thigh and knee, finishing somewhere just below the knee, or on the widest part of the calf. They’re worn in the same way as skinnies but at a ventilating cropped length.

Dress clamdiggers up or down with heels or flats and a top that works for your body type. They are an obvious choice for rectangles and inverted triangles, but don’t think that you can’t wear the look if you’re a little curvier at the bottom. My hot hourglass and pretty pear shaped clients sport clamdiggers with style when they wear the right combination of top and shoe. Sleek shirt dresses, tunics, baby dolls, voluminous tops, welted tops, knitted tops and wrap tops work beautifully. Add a jacket for a sophisticated edge and Bob’s your uncle. I love a smart casual look with an unexpected twist.

I can’t wait to haul out my clamdiggers. An arctic Seattle Spring has left them hibernating for longer than usual. But a clamdigger-friendly heat wave is supposed to be on the way. On the other hand, I might want to haul out my orphan dress. Oh no. Which should I wear?

Clamdiggers are my favourite style of cropped pant because I prefer a streamlined look. I get loads of mileage out of my dark denim pair because they look great with knee high boots in Autumn. No tucking!

Nothing shouts Spring and Summer quite like the perfect pair of white jeans. It’s an absolute must in your wardrobe if you enjoy wearing denim. White jeans are the perfect bridging piece because they instantly make black and brown tops look Summery. Ensembles look fresh and contemporary when you add a white pair of bottoms and it’s one of my favourite warm weather looks. Buy white jeans and you’ve increased the ROI of your wardrobe.

You don’t need to be ultra slim to wear white jeans or pants. This is a fallacy. A flattering pair of pants or jeans is not about the colour, it’s about the fit and fabric. Denim is an especially good choice of fabric for white pants because it’s thick, 100% cotton, easy to launder and doesn’t require lining. Standard 5-pocket denim detailing is also easier to wear than side-entry pocket detailing because they don’t add bulk. I’ve popped loads of plus sized ladies and pretty pear shaped gals into white jeans and they look incredible.

White jeans are everywhere right now. Brands like Elie Tahari, the Loft, NYDJ’s, Joes, Hudson, Old Navy, Diesel, Gap, Seven for all Mankind Levis, David Kahn, Esprit and Mango are to name but a few. White does get dirty quickly, but that’s what washing machines are for. It’s worth it.

An assortment of white jeans in different cuts. Wide-legged white jeans are fun, but dramatic and eye-catching. Be prepared to stand out. I have two pairs of white jeans: bootcuts and skinnies. I wear them all Summer long and they feel magical each time I put them on.