Top Summer Trends for Men and Women

Spring is here and it’s time to finally put away all those bulky winter clothes we’ve been hiding under for so many months! While we all have our spring and summer favorites that we like to wear each year, it’s always fun and exciting to add a few new pieces. You don’t have to be a die-hard fashionista to wear the latest trends – even the most conservative dressers among us can work a few of the latest styles in to our wardrobe to keep it fresh and up to date.

Summer, of course, is a time of freshness and energy and what color sums this up more perfectly than yellow? This color was a major trend at the international fashion shows this season, from the sunniest of tones to the more subtle, mellower hues. If you’ve always balked at the idea of wearing this color, give it another chance – the key is in finding the exact shade to suit your skin tone. And if you think you can’t pull off wearing yellow, when was the last time you thought about sporting Gingham? This traditional, feminine pattern is showing up in everything from shirts and pants to shirt-dresses which are also extremely hot this year. A Gingham, belted shirt-dress paired with a pair of flats is not only completely on trend but can take you easily from the office to a casual after-work get together.

As with most trends, certain pieces from the past make their way back into style again and this season is no exception. Remember those culottes from the seventies? Well, they’re back and for good reason. They’re flattering for most body shapes due to their flowing, looser outline and also extremely versatile. You can effortlessly dress them up or down to suit any occasion. Not only that, but they can be paired with many of the season’s other popular pieces such as the classic biker’s jacket, a polo shirt or, for a more ‘boho’ look, fringed shirt and wide-brimmed, floppy hat.

This carefree style also extends to hair this summer with longer, casual waves being the look to go for. As the weather gets warmer, hair can be kept off the face in a low ponytail or braid, tight and slicked back for a sophisticated look, or loose and messy to keep things soft and feminine.

One trend that applies to both sexes this summer is Khaki, an easy to wear color for most people and no longer only associated with the military! Khaki is an extremely hot color for men’s suits and makes a welcome change from the standard blacks, grays and browns. The color can be brightened up with a crisp white shirt and funky tie (another on-trend item) or worn as another popularlook this year, the flight jacket, which is a good staple in any man’s wardrobe. For male accessories, caramel is the go-to color. Shoes, bags and belts take on a rich, timeless quality and look stunning when paired with another of the male trends, washed out, faded denim jeans and shirts.

Remember - with any trend, subtlety is key. Choosing just a few of these hot items rather than going overboard on them will ensure you look fresh and stylish - without running the risk of citation from the fashion police!