What Will Make Hot Fashion This Summer?

With winter wear well and truly banished to the back of the wardrobe, it’s time to stock up on fabulous summer fashion. From footwear to headwear - and everything in between – it’s all change as this year’s new lines start to hit the high street.

In 2007 big shoes are expected to make a big hit! It’s time to mothball those delicate, feminine heels because it’s chunky wedges and platforms that will feature this year. During the day, rope-wrapped espadrilles will be ‘de rigueur’ and for that glamorous night out, the step up to sexy, evening platforms will be the norm. But, what will you be wearing on top to match footwear that makes such a statement?

With 42% of the average UK women’s wardrobe consisting of entirely black items, its bad news for your bank account but great news for your shopping alter-ego, as you head to the shops for this summer’s super colours. With most designers choosing bright and bold colours incorporating vivid blues, yellows and poppy reds, you’ll need to find the perfect match for you in terms of both the latest fashions and the spectacular colours on show.

For the mega-bold, neon clothing screams ‘dare you to wear me!’, while for futuristic fashion, the space age look is set for a meteoric rise - with metallic silver becoming the ‘must-have’ colour.

But, if you think those colours are just a tad too bold, then fear not. Grey will still feature heavily this year, thanks to stylish ranges from most of the high street fashion stores. And although it may be frowned upon on its own, black is definitely on the racks this summer - mostly when combined with white. Everything including swimwear, accessories and dresses will carry this bold combination in prints and solids, stripes and checks, and dresses and two pieces.

Designs showcased on the catwalks during fashion week highlighted the return of 80s power-dressing. So prepare yourself - shoulder pads are coming back, but hopefully they won’t be accompanied by endless re-runs of Dallas and Dynasty! Also quite bold, but less obtrusive than the pad is the puff sleeve, also favoured by designers and guaranteed to be in plentiful supply throughout 2007, both on tops and dresses.

Denim accessories will feature heavily this year; whether its handbags or shoes, all are designed to be worn with this season’s colours. But, also expected to sell strongly this season will be the evergreen denim shorts, both as hotpants for the bold or on-the-knee versions for the more conservative amongst us. Whilst we’re on the subject, leg-fashion is most definitely back, with the mini-skirt expected to feature heavily in this summer’s must-have fashion items, alongside the recently revived leggings look. With zig zags, panels, pinstripes, pleats, flannel check and countless other designs, you’ll find mini skirts in abundance, while many high street stores will carry extensive ranges and with a similar, massive choice in leggings, you won’t be left wanting.

So, it’s good news if you want to stock up on summer fashion. But, while there is plentiful choice, the secret to making that ideal look will come down, as always to shopping around, trying on all the styles and seeing exactly what suits you!

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist.