DEAR Mattie:
What styles of dresses are in fashion?
Trendy in Ambleside
Dear Ambleside:
A variety of dress styles are in fashion for summer.
Dresses are very popular this season. All you ladies should seriously look at investing in a few dresses. Yes, think of it as an investment.
Dresses are for all occasions, they are not a formal outfit anymore. I love dresses because they are a comfortable way to present yourself, without looking ordinary. Almost every style is in fashion, even the LBD (little black dress).
The silhouette of the dress this season is hourglass.
This is a fit and flare look. It is not fitted, it is shaped. Think of it as stepping into a dress and not squeezing into a dress. This shape can be extreme or subtle, the choice is yours. As long as there is a clear hourglass shape, the dress is in fashion.
Slouchy, hanging dresses are not in fashion. But, if you like the softer look, then update the dress with a belt. Both skinny and wide belts are trending and will create the hourglass silhouette.
The trendiest dresses are the bold ones. They are bold in print and shape.
Prints are graphic and range from large flowers to large checks and stripes. The idea here is go big and loud. It is a cheeky and sophisticated look, as long as you can pull it off. This dress requires the right complementary accessories that play down a bit of the boldness, but don't take away from it.
It is a modern dress that can be made from softer fabrics, but really should be made with a stiffer fabric, but not heavy. The stiffer fabric allows for the angular hourglass shape.
Softer looks are also in fashion. These dresses are fluid and looser. Most of these dresses will have some kind of belt to create the trendy shape of the season. They come in lighter fabrics so they can flow. Prints are softer in colour and image. The print is not detailed, it is faded or blurred. This soft dress is most popular in the maxi length.
Longer dresses are very trendy this season. The maxi dress is versatile and can be layered. This dress is the easiest way to be comfortable and trendy. This look goes from shopping to the office.
It also goes from day to evening.
The most interesting feature of this summer's dresses are that many of the trendy elements can go from bold to soft. The best example is the silhouette, which can be angular or rounded, but it has to be shaped.
Other trends to look for are the prints, which also go from bold to soft with their colour and design. Solid colour is not in fashion, unless you are colour blocking.
Ruffles, lace, and embroidery are trends that also fall into this category. Ruffles can be a discrete trim as well as an all-over feature. Eyelets can be small and delicate or large enough that they look like huge cutouts on the dress. Embroidery can be intricate as well as 3D.
This season you might have to make a stand with your personal expression. There isn't much of a middle road. Extreme is trendy.
Adieu, Mattie
Mattie à la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. She can be reached through her Facebook page Mattie-a-la-Mode. You can also follow her on pinterest. com/mattiealamode/.
