Spring-Summer 2011 must-haves...

Although on a day like this it sounds impossible, Summer is near and will soon be here. It's hard to imagine it so after this rainy afternoon and with 4°C outside, but it is already here... Or at least it's so in all fashion magazine, store racks and boutique's windows.

A few days away from the beginning of 2011-2012 Fall Collections on Paris' Fashion Week, let's point out what we'll be using in the next months, before Fall trends mix up on our minds or, at least, on mine!!

Let's see...

1. Color. Is the "IT" feature of season. Mostly monochromatic, although also seen in a mixture of two-colors, three-colors or four-colors (see Gucci).

The key hue is orange, present in most collections in suits (Prada) and dresses (Céline, Hervé Leger, Costume National). Then comes blue... from marine (Chanel, Pucci, Prada, Lanvin, Rochas) to French (Armani, Versace, Pucci). Also Kate blue, which is the hue of the dress Catherine Middleton used to announce her engagement to Prince William.

Anyway, all colors matter and work... Fuchsia, yellow, green...

(Gucci)

2. Lines and stripes. Vertical (Versace, Kenzo) and, above all, horizontal!! Revamped in a stupendous way by Prada, who was included them all over her collection, they were also seen on the runways of Sonia Rykiel, Moschino, Isabel Marant, etc.

Use with precaution... They can widen your shape.

(Prada)

3. Trousers... They are everywhere. Go for "flare," that is, wide and high-waisted. They work perfectly when paired with high heels or platforms. Check out Dior, Fendi, Etro...

4. Hippy. This means long, printed dresses as those in the 70s... Very romantic. Divine those designed by Pucci and Cavalli. Marvellous those presented by Dolce&Gabbana, white and with lace...

(Pucci)

5. Strass y paillettes. Dresses with sequins in all sizes and shapes. To use during the say (Manish Arora, Marni, Ferré).

6. Long skirts. For the say, as seen on Lanvin's y Hermès' runway. Interesting.

7. Shorts. Again. To pair with a blazer of the same length and high heels. Or done out of jeans destroy, with a red leather jacket and a "tye-dye" tank top, as presented by Balmain.

(Balmain)

8. Men's shirt. Best if closed to the neck, as shown by YSL. Or white and severe,  as Prada's. A new way of being sexy, yet revealing almost nothing...

9. Beige or nude. For a total look. Could be seen on Thakoon's, Oscar de la Renta's y Dior's runway.

10. Hawaiian imprimé. It's joyful and summery. Best examples? Those presented by Dior, Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier and Moschino.

(Dior)

And mini-dresses... They are still hot.

But above all, just use whatever looks best on you and fits your personal style.. 

That is my advice.