Overview
Simplicity is the key word.

Summer 2007 sees womenswear distancing itself from the clutter of decoration and moving towards a more honest and simple approach to dressing. Clean classics are revisited showing an elegant side as well as a more graphic and sporty end use.

In moving away from the complex there is a movement to graphically define the body with contrast banding or blocking or using bold large-scale prints often with a 1960ís feel.

Silhouettes are referencing the body again with the cinched in waist being the most extreme expression. The need for relaxed easy dressing however may mean translating the look with soft belting or easier empire lines in dresses and tops.

There is also a gentler more poetic theme emerging especially evident in soft volume tops, romantic sleeves and the use of antique or handcrafted trims and finishes.

Whichever look chosen, the key consideration is simplicity. Make a single statement and it will be a strong one.

Key Styles
The shirt style: Volume cut tucked in, all-in-one shirtdresses, shirt style coats, retro polo shirts

Summer coats: crisp trapeze styles, wide 3/4 length sleeves, voluminous trenches

Volume: Poetic full sleeves, new kimonos, artistís shirts, gathered fullness The cardigan: narrow and belted, 1940ís style, contrast banding, cropped summer shrugs

Girly: multi-frilled, 1960ís A-line, baby dolls, all over lace, belted shirt styles

Petticoat: underwear exposed, burlesque corsetry, fluid and delicate

Trouser options: wide A-line crops, pirate pants, skinny mod styles, ankle length, on the waist, rolled hems

Shorts: High waisted, relaxed pocket styles, active jersey shorts, crisp culottes

Lean lines: single colour dressing, wasp waists, high waists, and skinny minis

Fullness: knife pleated, high waists, bold prints, soft and circular, frilled micro minis

Colour
The simplicity of the season is mirrored by the importance of broad planes of colour.

White: In all its guises from crisp optic white to soft ivory and bone. The white palette crosses all trends and key items

Greys: it is the new neutral for summer from softest pearl grey to stormy anthracite

Navy Blue returns as a key fashion colour

Blues: on all levels from pastel to deep bright.

Browns: tone on tone, reassured and warm with aubergine and violet tones offering newness.

Tropical Exotics: inspired by a sunset over a tropical island with deep reds, raspberry, orange, purple and nut brown fade into neutrals Neutrals: Sophisticated cool blue greys and pearly taupes to warmer lemon yellows and soft corals

Themes
Retro Sport
Inspired by classic sports such as cricket, tennis and sailing. Colours are cool and crisp, featuring nautical classics such as navy, white, red, soft grey and beige.

Key items include:

• Classic tank vest tops
• Shirt dresses
• Shorts
• High waisted pants
• Cardigans

Camouflage
Inspired by the colours and patterns of nature, this is a safari look with a punk spirit. Colours are neutral earth tones such as khaki, terra, brown, beige, and ecru. Key items include:

• Cut away jackets
• Bondage details
• Fitted cropped pants
• Skirt like pants
• Double layered tees
• Blurred camouflage prints

Historical Romance
A romantic look with inspiration taken from historical references. Lots of lace and open worked fabrics layered together or mixed with cleaner crisper fabrics.

Key items include:

• A-line dresses / tops
• Clean shift dresses
• Flirty tops / bodices
• Full dirndl skirts
• Ruffled or clean cut
• Cropped jackets

Roman Numerals
Styling inspired by the Roman Empire. Complex pleating and draping are key. There is a sophisticated elegance and shapes are body forming.

Key items:

• Empire line
• White tunics
• Metallic embroidery
• Belted and tied
• Pleated tunic shapes

Revised Couture
A look which captures the couture spirit of the 1960ís with fabrics which are stiff and satinised giving a soft sheen. Colours are metallic toned golds, pewters, and coppers. White is also important within the look.

Key styles:

• Silk full coats
• Trapeze styling
• 3/4 sleeves
• Rounded shoulders
• 1960ís simple shifts
• The hourglass dress

Overview
Menswear over the last few seasons has been driven by item dressing such as the tee shirt, the blazer jacket, the frayed jeans, etc. Summer 2007 marks a move onto dressing for the complete look. This means more coordination and garments may be less interchangeable meaning that it is no longer enough just to buy one item to get the look right.

Themes
Uniform
Influences from honest work wear and unadorned military. Trousers are functional with pocket details and the western/cowboy jacket returns in lots of different fabrics apart from denim. Colours are inspired by work wear such as: dark navy, greyed neutrals, green tints and blue with orange and red.

Sweet Psycho
Lived-in rock bohemian style. Think of 1970ís playboys like Lord Lichfield and George Best. Patterns are mixed, such as combinations of summer paisleys and bold madras checks. Cheesecloth and prints from the 70ís appear. Looks are all crinkled and crushed in muted colours.

Riviera Gents
Itís classy, sophisticated and smart. Crisp, clean and well turned out menswear that makes a statement about the wearerís discerning taste. Fabrications are refined and pristine such as pressed cotton poplins, linen and silk blends. The blazer, the preppy cardigan and polo shirt are all key items.

Rockster
A merge of different cult looks from mods, skin, electro and others. Graphic colours and patterns feature. Narrow ties and braces and controlled details such as knife pleated trousers, rivets, and small or extra large buttons feature with classic menswear fabrications. Black, white and red with tinted greys are important colours.

Colours
Colours are generally more muted but there are still lots of them to play with in menswear.

Sharp cool greys: from pale to dark

White: non-colour, pale tints, white and alternative whites Work wear tones: dark navy, muted and greyed neutrals, tints of green and blue with orange and red highlights

Functional browns: shades from chocolate to golden and tobacco-tinted mid-tones

Rainbow pastels: pale translucent shades and whitened bright pastels

Sandy neutrals: sophisticated desert like, plaster and sand hued neutrals

Breezy blues: the mainstay of any menís season: from petrol and aqua tones to sport bright and lavender tones.

Yellow peril: used in item dressing - a key colour when used sparingly, but boldly. From honeyed gold to sunshine bright, fresh lemon and ecru.