Summer. When you’re woken by the sun shining through your curtains but it’s only 5am; when you don’t need to rush out of the shower for fear of freezing, and when you cross the road and your undies turn into bathers. PENNY LANE runs through the top fashion trends to look out for when the temperature rises.
The Almighty Tank
The answer to those broad shoulder woes, the tank cut is both flattering and sophisticated. The high neckline breaks up the space between neck and cleavage, enhancing the twins all at the same time. Rep as a crop top with a long, high-waisted skirt, a streamlined panel dress, or as a tankini at the beach.
Parent Advisory
Word on the shirt is big letters and even bigger statements. Find familiar slogans like ‘Parental Guidance Advisory’ slapped across oversized tees and crops, and anything from ‘2 Much’ to ‘WEED’ drawing your eye. Don’t think any word is off limits, because, as you’ll discover, anything goes.
Co-ords
Double denim is back, and so are co-ordinates. Swap your little black dress with an even smaller black bustier, a black skirt to match, and show a bit of skin! Wear your lacey co-ords in bright colours – reds, coral, blues and greens – and add a little extra class to a style that more often than not, can look a little less-than-classy.
Colourful Threads
Colour gets a revamp this season with bright Aztec prints and graphic florals in bralettes, dresses, maxis and pants. Pastel hues continue to feature, with lemon, guava and tangerine tones, and get a little fruity with prints featuring pineapples, watermelons and bananas. In contrast to the bright and bubbly, greyscale floral prints in both apparel and swim wear are becoming increasingly popular, and stripes remain a staple.
Midriff Dilemma
Despite being banned from most Australian race tracks this spring racing season, there’s no stopping midriff fashion, especially when most clothing labels have released multiple crop tops in their ranges. From halter to turtle neck, team with a sexy, body-hugging ankle-length ponti skirt, or a midi pleated skirt for a flashback ‘50s look.
Jump!
When you walk into a shop looking for a maxi dress and all you can find are jumpsuits in disguise, you know you’re in for a season of long, flowing pant legs and struggle town when you need to pee. If you’re tall go for a deep plunge line, and those lacking length in the leg department, a high neck and revealing back.
Knitting Nanna
We all wish we had a grandma that could knit us anything from a scarf to a full bikini set, but the shops will have to suffice. Get your bum cheeks into some white crochet shorts and team with a bikini top or cut-out one piece for an easy, breezy beachside look.
Get Phat
Tight fitting around the waist and flowing all the way to the toes, wide-leg pants are perfect for those cool summer nights. Go with bright prints by day, and add a floppy hat for a casual feel. Dress up plain white or black pants with some chunky heels, a tucked in shirt and some bling jewellery and your set for cocktails at the bar.
In Hawaii
No longer for daggy dads, the Hawaiian shirt is making a splash poolside this summer. Floral prints aren’t restricted to the female persuasion, or paisley. Plain tee + open Hawaiian shirt with rolled up sleeves, camel coloured shorts and some loafers. Yeaah.
In Your Pocket
Love it or hate it, the pocket tee is here to stay. Conveniently (or awkwardly) placed over the nipple, the coloured pocket adds a bit of personality to the good ol’ staple.
Pin Rollin’
Roll up those jeans and show off those Nike roshes, boys. Pin-rolled jeans are back yet again, looking to expose those bare naked ankles and the hairy beginnings of masculinity. This one’s about a laidback, summer style showing off your shoes – go with a tucked in shirt, an oversized tee or a dipping singlet.
Buckets
Channel a bit of Hunter S. Thompson and protect yourself from the bats with a bucket hat. Guaranteed bat resistant, the bucket hat can also be reversible – for when you’re sick of white and are up for green. It’s all about no pretensions and dagging it up like it’s the ‘90s, so get flopping if you don’t give a damn.
