This season’s fashion is all about softness and femininity. There’s an exuberance of bold, colourful patterns and prints and pretty, flirty fabrics. From the stylish, new shapes, to the chicest bags, shiny make-up and hair styles, we tell you what the elegant girl about town will be wearing this summer.

Key looks:

Volume – If you buy a new skirt this season, make sure it’s a gathered dirndl or cut in a swishing full circle. Easy to wear, elegant and fuss-free, the new voluminous swing skirts focus interest on the waist. It’s a powerful shape worn with a tight, cropped jacket. High waist flared jeans and wide-legged trousers with high waists also emphasise this voluminous look.

Tailoring – There’s plenty of strong tailoring around this season if you prefer a more structured look. The trophy jacket is back for the first time in ages with its strong silhouette, distinctive decoration and added detail like buttons, badges and trims. Shoulders are sharp, and slim tapered trousers are worn with heels. All-in-ones or jumpsuits are also making a comeback and Safari Style is smart and elegant with belted jackets worn with crisp, tailored shorts and softened with a pretty, silky blouse worn underneath.

Print and colour – There’s enough print around this summer to fill an art gallery! Bright, eclectic patchworks of colour jar and clash. Citrus blocks of tangerine, orange and lemon mix together with splashes and splodges of graffiti. Floral prints are everywhere and global style with African prints, Indian saris and ethnic scarves all make a bold statement for the more adventurous dresser.

New Romantics – With everything from sheer, transparent fashion, where nothing is left to the imagination, to the prettiest wisps of fabrics in delicate, fluid shapes in pretty bursts of floral print. Inspiration comes from the boudoir with what is being described as pyjama fashion. Look out for gossamer slips, satin boxers and silky robes worn with boudoir details like bows and ribbons and lace. Perfect for anyone wanting to bring out their more feminine side!

And the rest...

Hair and make-up – This season make-up is dazzling. Keep it sheer with a light frosting during the day and prepare to glitter and shine at night with some shimmer and sheen powder and eye make-up. Hair is big and beautiful and piled on high with curls and braid. Side-partings are strong or try a blunt fringe for impact.

Shoes – As over the top as you like this season, with some extraordinary extreme wedges and quirky heels that only the brave will be wearing.

Bags and accessories – Give your shoulders a rest from all those oversized bags and invest instead in a cute little clutch. Pretty, feminine, and easy to wear. Belts are narrow, bangles are big and piled on high, and sunglasses will still be big and glam!