Summer is the time to bare and dare, adorn yourself with jewels and generally feel good about yourself, says Debjani Sengupta.

Summer is the time to show your arms, legs and neckline and to adorn yourself with jewels – big and bright this year. It is the time to feel good about yourself and the world around you. Enhance your emotions by doing the following:

•    Fabric: Wear the lightest of fabrics. Texture of the fabrics is of paramount importance. Only when the texture is right for the design will the garment stand out.

•    Cut: Your clothes should have straight clean cuts. Such designs suit all figures.

However, frills, bows and lace have a charm of their own. Give in to temptation once in a while but wear such clothes with care.

•   Colour: It goes without saying – stick to pastel shades and colours which suit you. Think of shades of pink, green, blue, yellow and lilac. If you like to wear white – add some soft colour and some big, bright jewellery – lemon or turquoise for instance.

•    Shoes: Open sandals are a joy to wear. After being locked into socks the entire winter your toes and feet may need some attention before you expose them – one pedicure should do it. Indulge in sandals from the wide variety of styles and colours available. Usually you won’t have to outlay much.

•    Bags: Put away your leather bags. They look heavy and drab in the bright light of summer. Carry straw or canvas handbags. They look chic and cool. Here again you can pick from a wide range of colours and designs.

•   Hat: How about putting on a hat to protect your skin from burning. At the same time you will look elegant. Don’t be self-conscious, just check out the styles in the shop and find one that suits your face and assume it with style.

•    Jewels of course are a must. Long, dangly earrings with bright stones with toning rings on both hands. If you wear beads around your neck then don’t overdo it by wearing earrings. Brighten up an outfit with big, bright bangles.

•    Hair: Precision-cut bobs are in this year. If your hair’s straight go for a blunt fringe and heaps of shine. If you’ve got curl then wave it up – it’ll look fresh and young. For those who prefer to keep their longer hair, go for a long fringe (bang) over the eye-brows, but make sure it suits your facial structure.

•   Coats: Last but not the least, don’t wear coats in the summer, no matter how light and short they are and despite the short trench being in. For these short few months you should do without them. They will make you look frumpy and fussy. For formal occasions, wear a dress and then you won’t need a coat.

Be fashionable and walk tall. Wear your attitude and turn heads, but keep your persona. You will feel good and you will make others feel good too. Start storing your emotional booty to get you through the winter.

Quote to heed:

“There’s definitely a trashy ‘80’s Eastern bloc street vibe in London….‘I’m seeing lots of garish collared jeans and tights, little puffer jackets with fur trim and major diamantes on everything. It’s basically Britney Spears in the video for ‘Piece of Me’— Britney’s definitely an honorary Russian. We’re all a little bit Russian.’” – Moloroid Solomon, editor of new style magazine War.

Suggested stores for picking up summer clothes and accessories: H&M, Zara, Ralph Lauren, Esprit, We, Mexx, Steppin’ Out, Purdey, Monet & co (stylish costume jewellery and accessories).

Text: Debjani Sengupta. 

Photos courtesy of  Tommy Hilfiger and H&M.

[Copyright Expatica 2008]