Designers took a linear approach to pattern, stamping the collections with stripes, chevrons and op-art zig-zags. From black, white and tailored, to clashes of colour and quirky mixed prints: there's a multitude of ways to wear stripes this spring / summer. Bold, adventurous and tempting, the stripes came back with a vengeance.
Go black and white. Stripes are a summer staple, but the black and white stripe is the ‘it’ stripe this year. Go bold with a wide striped blouse or – if you’re daring – skinny jeans – and add a bright flat or handbag in emerald green, poppy red or zesty lemon, three of the season’s hottest colours.
Try classic, with a twist. If you like the idea of a stripe, but don’t want to go too over-the-top bold, you can still keep the look fashion-forward. look for a classic stripe, but in a trendy style, like a peplum top, a 1960s-style shift dress or a to-the-floor maxi.
Mix it up. Take stripes to the next level by mixing and matching them with other stripes, florals and graphic prints. Look for similar colour stories in your separates to keep things from getting too crazy.
Colour block the look by pairing your brightly striped top with a pair of complimentary coloured skinnies or cropped capris. Alternately, pull a colour out of your striped pants – it’s totally fine if it’s a little lighter or darker — and match it to your top.
Women who are wide on top should opt for striped bottoms. Vertical stripes, especially thin ones, are great for pants and skirts because the long lines make the body look long and lean. Those who are wider on the bottom should relegate stripes to the to upper half of their bodies. If you’re still too afraid to wear a striped top or bottom even with those tips, carry a striped bag or wear a striped scarf instead.
Still think stripes only work on some body types? Think again. Stripes are here to stay and contrary to popular fashion belief, all shapes can pull them off. If you're new to the trend this season, start with basic black, navy and white prints before moving onto mix-matched striped maxis or brightly coloured shorts
