HOW TO GET YOUR STYLE GROOVE ON THIS SEASON

Culled from this week's edition of Life & StyleSavvy with Susan Ikhine column,City People Magazine
Nigerian fashion is now on the international fashion map so we can't help talking about seasonal fashion.Summer is officially here! This season, put your best foot forward looking on point in the best styles of the season.Adorn yourself with fabulous vivid colours as well as soft neutrals and pastels of which soft mint green is the most popular. As the temperatures dip with the heavy rains we have been experiencing especially in Lagos,a pastel sweater over a sheath or summer dress will take you from cold to va-va-voom. Click on read more below....to continue.

The big colour for summer 2012 is mint green.The racks will be full of fashions that are all done up in a soft whimsical version of mint green. Another big colour this season is neon,such as hot pinks, oranges, greens, yellows, blue. If you need a new handbag or pair of shoes,make it a neon colour. Red is still hot and lace is everywhere,by itself or incorporated into other fabrics. Flowing ,floral prints are also huge.Florals in soft muted pastels to South Pacific inspired with bright and bold florals, just about in every shade you can imagine.
 This season,fashion designers have given us all kinds of fun fashions, offering vivid prints,stripes and geometric prints,not to mention some great new takes on animal print.The main theme this summer is somewhat tailored and classic but with a touch of bold and edgy. Think whimsical patterns from bird prints to deers,fruit,feathers,tops with whimsical prints and huge.Everything from blouses to dresses are sporting whimsical prints.Stripes are always huge this season,you can't go wrong with stripes .Stripes this time around are not just nautical stripes .I recently saw a pair of silky pants in bright horizontal stripes. It looked so chic.

Most fashions this season will be made with the most intricate pleats, folds and draping, giving reference to ancient Greece and Rome. The sexy one shoulder look is also big this season. Lots of designers have given the two shoulder look the cold shoulder. Channel your inner goddess in this look.What is summer without summer dresses.The classic black and white is an all-time hit.Lace is showing up everywhere.Add a pair of lacy pumps to a tailored suit or wear them with a great pair of jeans.Designers have added lace not only to shoes and bags but to everyday wear such as blouses,skirts and dresses.Enjoy it while it lasts.
 What's new in shorts this season?Shorts this season will have a higher waist compared to last year's tiny hipster waist plunging to an uncomfortable low.In regards to length there are short shorts or Daisy Dukes to knee grazers,that hit just the top of the knee.Most styles have a straight cut,not tight.There are also tailored cuffed ones.However,the most popular will be the boyish styled long shorts.Add a great flip-flop or heels and you are good to go.

 Hot Steppers

Shoes have definitely become a way of expressing one's artistic side with wonderful,intricate shapes and bold colors.Put away the old black pump and step out into the unique, new,wonderful world of colour,patterns and crazy designs. Can an ordinary woman pull off the wild new look in shoes? Of course,but perhaps the most wild designs should remain on the catwalk. Shop around,there are some great shoe styles out there,with perhaps just a bit of quirkiness.You need at least one pair of artistic shoes in your closet.Caroline Danjuma looked uber chic at her birthday recently in a pair of Christian Louboutin Asteroid pumps and No 299 shoes.The fly shoes of the season don't have to be Loubs,there are so many affordable dramatic shoes out there. A big trend on shoes is the print shoes,we have our very own Ankara print shoes now. Also,flowers and spikes will embellish loads of shoes.Gladiator scandals have battled their way back this year.Yes,gladiators scandals will be bigger than they were in the summer of 2008.You will find the gladiator takes on colour this season.

 What's Up With The Arm Candies?

The trend for handbags in 2012 is 'the bigger,the better'.Today's on the go woman needs a handbag that can can carry everything from her make-up to her ipad and everything else she needs to keep her in the know while looking stylish. The clutch continues to hold it's own in fashion.All done up in bold colours to exotic skins.

We have seen bright red,purple,many shades of blue and candy bubblegum colours are also tempting us. Pinks and oranges as well as lime greens. This summer look for a kaleidoscope of colour.The hand is back in handbags.Most designers have used short straps on large-shaped handbags.These bags come in large,rigid shapes with hand straps to be carried like a briefcase. 

Have a great summer!