By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Shame on us! So wholly absorbed were we in our unending Arab Spring, with its soft breezes and violent sandstorms, we totally forgot about our summer wardrobe. The extreme heat- spell rapidly restored our memory, as we rushed to check our closets for the appropriate attire. Those fortunate enough to own left-over clothes from the 70s, have no problem. The fashion world is nostalgic for the fashion of the 70s, and an Yves Saint Laurent retrospective, seems to be the season's strongest statement. This trend was copiously displayed on the runways by Gucci and minimalist queen, Jill Sander. The YSL touch of elegance, particularly in Men's Wear for Women, is unmistakable. If however, you were not even born in the 70s, any bright- coloured pantsuit will do. Surely there is a Hillary Clinton-type pantsuit in every woman's wardrobe. This will tide you over till you give serious consideration to your summer fashion. Everyone is gleeful over the return of pantsuits. To bring them up to date, rumple them up, loosen them up, and make them casual and easy. Adding a tucked-in shirt, or a see-through camisole makes Men's wear ever so feminine. Keep hand in pocket, and tongue-in- summer-chic for extra pizzazz. Strolling through a summer garden, is as refreshing as viewing the floral patterns of the season. The colour palette is reminiscent of a perfect distribution of annual and perennial blooms, in a divinely manicured garden. Even the names are borrowed from the programme of a Chelsea flower-show exhibit. popular poppies, gaudy geraniums, fragrant lavenders, vivid violets and jazzy irises, amidst 'a host of golden daffodils'. Whether a studied arrangement of daintiness, or a burst of wild tropical blooms as seen at Carolina Herrera's, flowers are in your destiny this summer. Floral prints need few accessories. Keep it simple, light and airy, as you float through a garden party, as dazzling as Nature's botanical wonders. You will always turn heads in the classic combination of Black and White. A simple skirt and top carry as much allure as a tuxedo --style coat and pants. Worn all year round, an added punch of colour to your monochromatic background is desirable, even necessary. Orange, fuschia, turquoise, lemon or raspberry will raise this lifetime favourite colour combination to 2011 standards. Athletic or not, Sportswear is in the summer stars. Stella McCartney leads the designer pack in introducing bold and bolder stripes. Vertical or horizontal stripes add a fanciful gesture to this trend. Sportswear is not cheap ware, but it is practical wear, and now acceptable at all hours. Celine understands the necessity of the perfect upscale sporty look, so does Burberry and Derek Lam. Michael Kors has bestowed upon the practical trench-coat, a chic fix for chic chicks in every colour imaginable. The season's Summer stopper, is a touch of lace. In fact, it is more than a touch it is an invasion. That ultra- feminine, ultra-romantic fabric has never been more popular, not since Grandma married Grandpa. Lace is seen every where, at all hours, all day. Worn with jeans, over bikinis, on biker shorts, on your feet, on your cuffs you collar or your hair, lace reigns supreme. Even shoes are covered with lace in flats, wedges and pumps. Forget the restricted Victorian-era lace wear. Today it is younger, bolder, fresher. In short, Lace is hipper than hip, and cooler than cool. Pant-lovers rejoice! Besides maxi and mini frocks, pants with wide, wide legs are long and lean and flatter every shape. A well defined crisp top creates a sharper shape, so avoid baggy tops with the wide- legged pant. In your bright, bold- coloured, floating outfit, stripey stripes or racy lace, you are ready to brace the hot summer sun, and the cool evening breeze. All you need are the right accessories. Keep in mind that accessories can make or break a look. Do not overdo any trend for the summer. Less is more as long as it is eclectic and electric. Store your over-sized hobo or boho handbags, and replace them with roomy knot bags or classy clutches as seen at Prada's. Chunky shoes are still chunky and frightening to some, though they seem more graceful and less painful this season. Like tea and crumpets, gladiator flats go well with the season's popular maxi lengths, as wedges do with wide pants. Your summer palette is never complete without the primary colour for Summer. Gorgeous white stands out amidst the boldest brights, to brunch, lunch or dine in, Choose fabrics that are easily cleaned, for as appetizing as white is, there is nothing worse than a not-so-clean white outfit. Goodbye, addio and adieux to excess!. Spring's new minimalism is taken to new heights this season. To look cool, stay cool. Big back shades, wide floppy hats, help you breeze through the good old summertime. Keep the glow within and without. Summer fruits are plentiful and help keep your natural luminosity. Apply a sheer stain to your cheeks and a touch of bronze for that sun- kissed look. Subtle notes of rose and fushcia on your lips, a delicate shimmer on the eye-lids and bright oranges and pinks on your nails, completes your perfect summer look. We follow religiously the instructions of our beauty and fashion experts, only to discover that they want us above all, to be ourselves! We are to follow our personal style, wear what suits us best, and opt for the natural look . What is a poor human to do? In any case, here-s to a cool summer and, a cool attitude to brave what lies ahead, be it cool summer winds or blazing summer storms. Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. -- Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
