Dressing Up: Fashion Trends for Women’s Dressy Clothes in Summer

Summer is an interesting one for dress clothes. Dresses and skirts, heels and lace – it’s all coming together for a colorful and at times ethereal look. Here are some fashion trends for women’s dressy clothes this year.

Florals

Floral prints come and go, and change in style – remember the cabbage roses of the 80s? Florals are back, but the cabbage roses are nowhere to be seen. 2012’s florals are all about movement. Florals are more systematic and less random this year, with almost symmetrical designs. Floral prints are showing up on dresses and skirts, and are particularly prominent on long, flowing styles.

Prints

Not to be confused with florals, prints full of whimsy are turning up on skirts and dresses and tops this year. Feathers, birds, fruit, trees, animals – it seems you’ll find any of these on dressy clothes in 2012.

Mint Green

It’s interesting how mint green has made such a misty splash this year. It started in spring and seems to have followed us into summer. It ranges in hue from a gray-ish sage to a true-blue mint, but you’ll see lots of it. Short, smart skirts, handbags, and simple tops are going green.

Orange

And then there’s orange. You’ll find this bold color on dressy sandals and even formal dresses. It pops out of florals and prints, and also in solids.

Smart Suits

It seems women’s suits never go out of style. In summer 2012, the look is definitely toward pastels and light fabrics. Many designers are including flowing, dramatic wraps to go with their dressy fashions this year.

Lace

Lace is popping up on shoes, handbags, skirts and tops in this year’s dressy clothes. High heels with lace coverings are making an appearance, and so are lace-trimmed tops and skirts.

Crochet

Crochet is definitely making a comeback! Even crochet swimsuits are out there. But in terms of dressy clothes, crochet jackets, shawls, and vests are making an appearance – an old-fashioned art transformed into a modern fashion statement.

Stripes

This year’s stripes are mostly bi-color – meaning black and white, mint green and cream, orange and blue, and so forth. Not a lot of multi-colored stripes are around, but all sizes of stripes from bold to subtle are making bold and fashionable statements on women’s dressy clothes this year – particularly suits.

Heels

Heels are in this year, especially wedge heels. Kitten heels are also purported to be coming back in summer 2012. For dressing up, you can find all sorts of high heels with chunky toes, and also bow sandals. Both look great with summer dresses and skirts.

Flowing

Long, flowing skirts are making an appearance alongside the short, smart suits. Natural hemlines swing on mid-calf dresses, and longer skirts and dresses have an almost ethereal look with light fabrics, pleats, wraps, and drapes.