Continuing on the theme of hot fashion trends for summer 2011, I am currently desperate for some new swimwear to take with me on holiday and this is where the next look for this summer comes in – prints inspired by nature. This summer it’s all about the florals and animals. These two work really well together or as completely separate trends – my main source of inspiration for creating my beach side look for the imminent holiday is going to be the Diane Von Furstenberg Spring/Summer ’11 catwalk. I love the bold prints she uses and the colours are great mixing brights and neons with black and brown. I love this floral printed bikini called ‘Winter Garden’ but it’s just a bit over my budget at the moment so I’ve scoped out a high street version which is really funky and a bit more pocket friendly – they also do a swimsuit version and it comes in black as well if you feel like you want to stand out a bit more so head to French Connection now and get your hands on one of these ‘cos they’re selling out fast!

Following in the footsteps of spring, anything 70s and block colour is a good bet. The surprise trend for this season is definitely chic sportswear, traditionally the niche domain of labels such as Lacoste and Sportmax, in the S/S 11 season the likes of Versace, Marni and Nicole Farhi are joining the party. To copy this look, think heels and lycra rather than trackies and trainers! Go for detail, hoods, zips, new fabrics, boy shorts and so on but keep it all very glamorous – try American Apparel for a great source of high street inspiration.

If your spring/summer wardrobe is starting to look all very neutral, khaki and lace then take a page out of Karl Largerfeld’s book and follow the trend which has been on the catwalks of DKNY and Dior this season – Floral. You know you’re safe if Chanel is doing it! But if you are still struggling with the nightmarish thought that if you succumb to this trend you may look like:

A)      A five year old girl

B)      Your grandmother’s curtains

you can introduce it gently into your collection with these lovely wedges from Rocket Dog, £39.99 they go with jeans, skirts, shorts and can be teamed with plainer items to tone down the look.

Or try copying the Chanel look by combining with some lace, but don’t go over the top or we’re in grandmother curtain territory again! Wedges are a great way to add high and length to your legs without being in the sometime precarious territory of stilettos, they are the ultimate relaxed heel and the next best thing to flats in terms of comfort with the added advantage of making your legs and bum look nicer! However if you want to follow the fashion gurus to the letter, clogs are the way to go. The selection on the high street is still a bit limited but Topshop, always hot on the heels of the designers has got these cute ones in for £80 – team with a floral dress to look like you’ve just stepped out of the Grand Palais.

Add to this lovely scent some funky colourful accessories, like this brilliant abstract print scarf from Matalan (a bargain at £2.50!) and I guarantee that your mood will be sunny and warm until the weather catches up with it!