Fashion Trends For Summer 2011

It may be freezing cold: the BBC weather map may be an icy shade of blue - but the world of fashion is already thinking about summer. So what are you going to be wearing come July and August? Bonmarche took a quick look into the crystal ball to see what was in store for ladies fashion.

2010 saw a move towards timeless pieces that were right for any season. But in 2011, prepare yourself for some dramatic cuts and colours, which will bring ladies fashion bang up to date.

2011 looks set to be one of the most colourful years on the fashion front - and the "new black" is definitely not going to be black! Honeysuckle is the colour of the moment, which according to the psychologists 'gets the adrenaline going.' Just what you need for summer! Honeysuckle was a dominant colour in all the major designer collections for this summer.

Other colours that featured strongly were shades of russet, silver, lavender and yellow. And blue looks set to give honeysuckle a run for its money - especially the bright, turquoise blue shades like teal.

So much for colours - what about shapes? Number one, look out for asymmetric hems and lapels for that mismatched look. And there'll be some very distinctive cuts - especially around the hip area (possibly not for the faint hearted!)

Good news for those women who went for the 2010 revival of midi-length skirts and maxi-length dresses is that they weren't a one-season wonder. They'll still be in vogue this year, and watch out for maxi dresses with deep front splits and sheer maxi skirts. Indications are that seventies-style peasant dresses will be popular this summer - and you'll be heading to the office in a fishtailed pencil skirt.

Sarah Burton has now taken over following the untimely death of Alexander McQueen and she'll be a designer to watch. So will Tom Ford with his "real clothes for real women" range and rumour has it that Marc Joseph is set to launch a plus-size clothing line - which will make an awful lot of women very happy.

Summer 2011 is set to be an inspirational time for fashion - especially on the colour front. Bonmarche will be with you every step of the way.