It’s another colour-rich season filled with a super assortment of silhouettes. The most on trend, directional and modern fashion concepts to grasp at this point are irregular item juxtapositions and unstructured structure. 

• Irregular Item Juxtapositions: These days, off-kilter items are being incorporated into outfits to make a style statement. Picture a pretty fit and flare frock with a masculine bomber jacket, sporty wedge high-top sneakers, classic chain handle bag, and beanie. An irregular juxtaposition of items that is very “now”. 
• Unstructured Structure: This is about adding a certain amount of slouch or “relaxed fit” to both the top and bottom parts of your outfit. Or you can match oversized items with tailored ones.

Of course, you don’t need to wear or even like this “now” way of dressing. The most important part in all of this is that your outfits make you feel fab. So by all means stick to outfit combinations, fits and proportions that are more to your taste. 

Without further ado, here’s my list of Spring and Summer “must haves” for 2013 that cut across all body types, ages, budgets, and lifestyles. They provide a great way to refresh your mild and warm weather look: 

1. White, white, WHITE: I say this every year, but white in all its shades is the colour of the season, and not just generally an effective way to lighten up a warm weather wardrobe. Think white across ALL wardrobe items. From outerwear, jackets, tops and vests, to jeans, pants, skirts, shorts, dresses, belts, footwear, hats and bags. Wear white from head toe. 
2. High-Low Tops: Tops with high-low hemlines provide structure to an oversized silhouette. Think tees, blouses, jackets and knitwear with high-low hemlines in cropped, regular and tunic lengths.  
3. Something Pastel or Mid-Toned: If you don’t like to wear items in soft colours close to your face, choose them as a bottom, an accessory, or pair of shoes. 
4. Something Floral: Floral jackets, jeans, trousers, shorts, dresses, blouses and skirts are fabulous. But so are floral shoes, bags and belts. 
5. Something Lace: Lace tops, skirts, jackets and dresses get my vote, but there are also more unusual ways to sport lace. Think lace insets, scarves, shoes, and sweatshirts. 
6. Something Sporty: Sassy sweatshirts, sassy sneakers, silky track pants and baseball jackets — take your pick. You don’t need to be sporty to wear sporty trends. I am very un-sporty, but wear high-tops with pleasure. And silky track pants are on my shopping list. Wear sporty pieces with sophisticated items to create a chic look. 
7. Bomber or Utility Topper: Maybe both! These jackets provide fresh proportions over dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts and trousers. 
8. Full Bottoms: Baggy and slouchy trousers or jeans are not the only way to interpret this trend. Think wide trousers, full skirts, fit and flare frocks, and baggy shorts. You’re after any roomy item that is an alternative to formfitting skinny jeans and pencil skirts. These can be worn in an assortment of lengths.
9. Refined Footwear: Note that every style of shoe has its “more refined version”. We’re talking about a style sensibility that is less chunky, coarse and clunky overall, especially in the heel shape. The visual effect is more elegant and tailored. Refresh your memory with the top 20 footwear trends for Spring and Summer 2013. Pointy toes, slipper flats, loafers, flat oxfords, ankle straps, low heels, high-tops and metal toe caps make my favourites list. 
10. Clutch: Worn both during the day and night, large or small, with or without a top handle or strap. 

There are also trends like Summer leather. Think shorts, jackets, vests, pants, skirts and shell tops. And long shorts, sci-fi metallics, pattern mixing, peplums, chain handle bags, jumpsuits, colour blocking, tuxedo striping, sheer layers and silk tees. 

I’m still ranting about the current too-short lengths, but every retail season I can find items I love and enjoy refreshing my wardrobe. My Spring wardrobe is taking shape. I’ve decided against the floral jacket that was on my original Spring shopping list because I want to take a break from adding more pattern to my wardrobe. I’m thinking of adding an apple green bomber jacket instead. My new white high-tops are a fun substitute for the white booties that were originally on the list. I’ve also successfully added sci-fi oxfords, a tuxedo shirt, a white clutch, a white belt, a gold belt, and replenished my jeans capsule. Still looking for silk tees, long baggy shorts, pointy toe flats, slouchy white trousers, a pastel trouser suit and Spring cashmere tops. And I’d love to add a new frock that ends just below the knee. Thanks to bomber jackets, my frock spirit has been reignited. 

How does the list look, ladies? Which trends and items resonate the most, and how are you going to update your wardrobes over the next few months?

I’ve written many posts on how to fit and style dresses to create flattering proportions. Here is a summary of those posts for easy access. We’ll start off with what lies beneath, move on to body type, design details, layering, and finish off with footwear. 

The Foundation

I can’t over-stress the importance of laying the right foundation for dress fit. You MUST start the process by being professionally fitted for a bra because most women are still in the incorrect bra size. Minimizers are also an option, as are speciality styles like strapless bras if you don’t want to expose your bra straps. But not all bra exposure is inappropriate, especially when the straps and lacy bits blend into the style of the dress. Shapewear is not essential, but will smooth out your silhouette. And please do the sit-down-test for dresses with buttons down the front. Sometimes you can correct a gaping front by wearing a different bra. 

Body Type and Dress Fit

I’m a big believer that curvy gals were made for dresses. And by curvy I mean that your figure is very hourglass-y. So if you have curves and you don’t like to wear jeans or trousers, stick to dresses (and skirts)! You’ll find that fit-and-flares or waist defining knitted dresses that accentuate your curvy shape work best. Straight woven dresses often fight with curves unless they are stretchy. Here are dress shape guides for curvy hot hourglass and pretty pear body types. 

Of course, less curvy body types look wonderful in dresses too. Here are dress shape guidelines for the adorable apple, statuesque inverted triangle and racy rectangle. As with all body type guidelines, they provide a helpful starting point. But by all means think beyond body type dressing guidelines and bend those rules once you have a better understanding of fit and proportion. 

Remember that correct fit can be achieved by shopping across specific size departments. Some plus sized ladies should also shop across departments. And remember that a few minor alterations can result in a perfectly fitting frock. 

Design Details 

Dresses with Peter Pan collars stir up a myriad of emotions. Overlapping diagonal striped dresses can be visually flattering because the effect both accentuates and flattens curves. I’m not fond of casual maxi dresses and here are reasons why that’s the case. It’s hard to find a flattering sweater dress, but these guidelines will help you on your way.

Dresses do not need to define the waist to look fabulous. Surrendering the waistline can work just as well, especially if you’re shy about showcasing your midriff. But if wearing a boxy fit is not your thing no matter how you slice and dice it, you have the option of reining in the volume with a belt, or layering over a structured jacket. 

Layering 

Here’s how to wear dresses over pants, and here’s the best coat length for dresses. Layering cardigans and jackets over dresses needn’t look frumpy with special attention to fit and proportion. My personal favourite at the moment is to layer bomber jackets over frocks. Here’s a little arty inspiration and modern classic inspiration for cardigan lovers. 

Layering underneath sleeveless dresses is another way to go, especially with turtlenecks and blouses. 

Footwear

Midi length dresses can be styled with all sorts of footwear. When it comes to wearing tall boots with dresses, it’s all about finding the right combination of skirt, skin and boots. Wearing booties with dresses is the fashionable way to go, although the jury is still out on whether it’s a flattering look. Personally, I prefer to wear shooties, streamlined ankle booties, tall boots, or low vamped footwear with dresses. 

Last but not least, wearing flat shoes with dresses is NOT a faux pas. In fact it’s as on trend as ever. Wear pointy toe flats to elongate the leg line if you have “stumpy-dumpy” concerns. Keep the footwear low contrast against your leg skin to further elongate the leg line. Think loafers, sandals, lace-less oxfords, slipper flats and ballet flats. 

Feel free to address further dress fit, proportion, and styling concerns in the comments section and let’s get to work.

Childhood nostalgia that made me smile! This LEGO blocks-inspired Chanel clutch comes in fun colours and is all over the blogosphere. Would you sport this playful accessory?

The “Time Machine Susan” clutch from the Bamford Watch Department and Corto Moltedo on the other hand might be more to the liking of the steampunk fans among us.

I loved the concept behind this short Refinery29 roundup: “Is there anything in your bag that only a local would have?” For me that would be an Antwerp city map (paper version, yep), metro card and my Velo card. How about you?

Fab Links from Our Members

Suz enjoyed learning about Isabel Marant’s childhood influences and what motivates her today in this Telegraph interview with the French designer.

Allie from Wardrobe Oxygen looks gorgeous in this modern classic smart casual Spring outfit with white blazer. And as always, Angie points out, Allie’s best accessory is her mischievous smile.

Bj1111 thought this stream of consciousness piece titled “I Feel Like a Woman” on The Man Repeller quite funny. She also loved the superheroine graphic.

In this entertaining video Carla Mathis, co-writer of The Triumph of Individual Style, talks about the importance of voice and walk. Vildy had to laugh at her depiction of type 3, and got the picture of why it’s good to match your personality to your style. What do you think?

Janet would find it refreshing to see mannequins come in all shapes and sizes, and is curious to know why this would be so “controversial”.

Last but not least, Isabel recommends this fascinating video on the evolution of street style photography.

The bomber jacket is not quite mainstream, but I have a hunch that it will be by Fall. It’s a pretty wearable style that is available in an assortment of cuts, colours, lengths, patterns and fabrications. It’s extremely comfortable, and was one of the jackets at recent runway shows. Alongside moto-style jackets, be prepared to see lots of bombers in retail stores. 

Most bomber jackets are being styled with jeans, shorts, casual pants and dressier trousers. These are natural pairings that work well. But I’m most excited about pairing my lace bomber with frocks. I’ve been neglecting my dresses because I’m on a trouser kick. But as soon as the weather warms up, I’ll be wearing my frocks with a bomber. I’m loving the combination for four reasons:  

1. The boxier proportions feel modern and new.
2. It makes a nice roomy change to the tailored moto and denim jackets that I usually layer over dresses.
3. It’s one way to inject life back into my orphaned frocks. 
4. It’s a great way to dress up the bomber while dressing down the dress. 
5. It effectively de-bombshells a body con dress. 

The photos below show dress and bomber pairings. Bombers are both short and longer. Here are guidelines on how to achieve the look:  

• Straight dresses are an easy pairing because they provide a sleek underlayer for a boxy bomber. 
• If you don’t have a straight “sheath-like” dress, create the same proportions with a pencil skirt and top. 
• Boxy bombers can also work over flared dresses, but you might find that the cropped versions provide more flattering proportions. This is not a strict rule, but probably the right way to go when you’re petite in height. 
• Keep the jacket unzipped because it creates an attractive and often slimming vertical line down the front of the body.
• Scrunch the sleeves for extra structure. It’s amazing how showcasing forearm skin adds a tailored effect to an outfit. 
• By all means pattern mix the bomber and dress. 

For street style inspiration, check out this bomber over a body con sheath, one matched with a flared dress, and another worn with a straight skirt on my Outfits Pinboard.