Jyl Ghoneim helps you renew your wardrobe with tips on the hottest styles for the coming season All round the world, an early spring brings certain things to the minds of upwardly mobile ladies. Many of us start planning vacations, weddings and parties. What do all of us lovely ladies need the inside track on in order to prepare ourselves for looking our best during the upcoming months? Summer fashion of course! And what's new in the world of fashion in 2010? The theme this year is all about fun, accentuating femininity and the female form. As the world climbs out of recession and we start whipping out our purses again, designers have prepared a feast grand enough to make a princess's heart beat faster. It's a great year to be a woman. At the 2010 Defile d'Egypt Heart of Fashion Show at the Cairo International Convention Centre, I had the chance to take a peek at what we'll be seeing on the shelves this summer. Four hot Egyptian designers in particular featured their best pieces. FORMAL WEAR: Barbe formal wear this year is a sight to behold. If you are looking for something trendy, fun, feminine and beautiful, consider checking out what she has in store. Trendy formal wear is sculpted, but by no means indecent. There is something for everyone and for every type and taste. For those who are not afraid to show a little skin, you will be pleased by the mid-low cuts, v backs, off-the-shoulder, one- shoulder and peek-a-boo cut-outs on dresses this year. Curve- accentuating seams and mermaid skirts are all the rage. Sheer, iridescent fabrics with embroidery designs inspired by nature are a recurring theme. Loosely draping translucent fabrics stretch from shoulder to hand and hip on many pieces. The more complicated the line the better. For those who like to be a little more covered up, you will appreciate formal wear this year that uses floor-length gowns of satin, chiffon and charmeuse fabrics. Hemlines and bodices are bedecked with glittering rhinestones that radiate all the colours of the rainbow in low light. There are plenty of sheer fabrics with metallic threads interwoven in them to give the wearer a shimmering glow. Long veils and trains, glittering accents and translucent fabrics are all hot this year. Accessories you will want to buy include upper-arm bracelets, metallic headbands, gemstone necklaces and rings, long dangling earrings and spiky heels. When it comes to shoes, the higher and slimmer the spike on the heel the better. Strappy sandals and high heels with round toes are in. CASUAL AND SEMI-FORMAL: Model Abeer was kind enough to let me in on a little secret: this summer, casual collections will be all about colour and femininity. Pastels, with the exception of pale pink, are out, and jewel tones are in. There's nothing boring about this year's trends. Floral prints, surprisingly, are back in style. So are horizontal stripes, flesh- tone blouses with glittering accents and anything metallic. Summer trends you will be seeing this year include lots of t- backs, halter tops and spaghetti straps, form-fitting (but not skin-tight) tank tops and v-back blouses. Peasant sleeves, boat necks and off-the-shoulder designs are back in a big way. This summer, Capri pants are giving way to harem pants: much like the classic Capri, these have elastic or draw string ankles at mid-calf length. The cut is more relaxed and baggy than in previous years, and the waistline will remain low. Pocket placement is slightly higher this year, which helps to accentuate those lovely feminine curves. Spike high heels, ballerina heels, slippers and open-toed sandals are in. Cap sleeves and baggy t-shirts are out, as are midriff baring t-shirts. It seems modesty is more in style this year, though bare arms and shoulders are a popular look. Peep shoulder blouses, flowing, baggy sleeves with peek-a-boo slits, wrinkled fabrics with peasant sleeves and relaxed necklines with cinched waists are hot. Skirt lengths will be mid to lower thigh and mid-calf length. Cuts just below the knee and just above the knee are out. Lots of flounce and excess fabric is very popular. Sequins and decorative trims will be in heavy use, as will loud fabrics and high-contrast colours. Patchwork skirts that compliment blouse colours are in. Hot colours and prints are grey-blue, flower prints, animal-inspired prints, geometric shapes, plaids, flower appliqués, jewel tones, pinks, yellow-green, orange, brown, sage, bright red, and black and whites. Let's not forget that anything shiny or metallic is hot. Popular summer dresses will have thin straps, v necks and bright colours in mid-calf length. Sac dresses, which have a baggy bodice but a mid-thigh bubble hemline, are a cliché centrepiece. ISLAMIC DESIGNS: The collection this year is beautiful and modest, representing the true needs of the veiled woman perfectly. As with most Islamic wear, base colours are black, but there are plenty of splashes of colour to brighten the look this year. What surprised me most about the Islamic collection was how lovely it was. Asymmetrical layers, bright satin trims and shimmering translucent fabrics accented every piece in the summer collection. The trend this summer will lean towards the ultra feminine. Blingee rhinestones, heavy beading and metallic embroidery are in heavy use this year. The cuts are very complex, with multiple tiers and ruffles on dresses being the most popular. Wide-leg pant suits in sateen finish fabrics with simple tops are a lovely addition to this year's repertoire. Tinkerbelle hemlines, or jagged hemlines, are very popular now. Mediaeval-inspired peasant sleeves that reach to nearly mid-calf are seen over and over. Lots of satins and shimmery wash-and-wear fabrics are hot this year. Metallic spiked heels are in, and wedges are out. Veils this summer will be a lot more relaxed and free flowing than last year. The super tight bunching of last summer isn't used. A lot of sequined scarves are used, with sheer, heavily glittered overlaying veils that flow freely down the back much more in style. Cleopatra-inspired clips and Indian- inspired forehead jewels are very popular. The most popular accent colours are royal and bright blues, teals, light sage, pink, purple, burnt umber, chocolate brown and gold. Polka dot prints and geometric prints are in on scarves. Zigzag hemming, silk rope, sunburst trims, and luxurious touches are all the rage. Pastels are out for summer. This year the colours are very strong. It's safe to go with anything white, black and jewel-toned this year. LINGERIE: Lingerie styles haven't changed too much from last year, but there are a few new additions worth talking about. Keeping in line with the recurring colour scheme, jewel tones, such as bright purple and magenta, royal blue and red, are very much in this year. Pinks in all shades, polka dots, and black and white are in. Short drawstring cotton skirts, cotton draw string pyjamas, Capri tights, tank tops and baby dolls are mainstays of any woman's lingerie collection. Simple, small adornments like one-inch lace hems and two-button necklines are new additions. Most fabrics are cotton, but if you are looking for something more luxurious with a sexy feel, then satin and silk or polyester are great for summertime as well. This year's designs make a strong statement about the female form. The designers have really stepped up to the plate to exemplify the female form. They show us that trends this year, while modest, will certainly turn heads with their complex lines, bright colours and metallic accents. I, for one, can't wait to begin my summer shopping!
