As supposedly summer is here, though in Manchester with monsoon rains, lightning and hail here yesterday one wonders. With the highstreet shops full of maxi dresses and flowing skirts and gladiator sandals maybe its time to look at what it is out there...and what is coming in the future. Pauline

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2010/sep/28/milan-fashion-week-cavalli-armani?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487#/?picture=367110009&index=14

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/jun/08/graduate-fashion-week-top-10-pictures#/?picture=375470352&index=0
This post was edited by Pauline Smith at June 9, 2011 7:34 AM BST

i love my denim hot pants so sexy xx

kk- thx- Re Milan - don't like 5,6,7,9,12 weirdly love the rest of it- to me this is designed for trans girls - we can wear it without worrying about boob, and covers a multitude of sins - surprised Andre Pejic does not feature.

I have to say the opening shot was a bit scary - but I am not quite sure why!!! Weird as ever those are my comments.

Not keen on the second set from Manchester students - but hey I am not that adventurous lol!!

Like showing my legs off not really into maxi dresses

I totally get the maxi dress look at night in some exotic hot destination when you have worn a bikini all day at the beach, then it works....... But in rainy Manchester???

OMG I saw some HILARIOUS Harem Pants on the Continent, you will recognise these from MC Hammer Fame. BUT..... I saw some girls wearing them with a crotch below the knee, nearly at the ankles! LOL It looked like their legs were only a few inches long and they had a really long body :O Silly and Julie says 'not a good look!'

Glad that my post created some debate - maxi dresses are not for everyone of course. Though longer skirts are usually fashionable when the economy is bad. When it rains in manchester nothing looks good....except wellies especially if its like it was yesterday.....monsoon weather.

Julie the "harem pants" you saw are actually worn normally by men - the Zouaves - who have the crotch low down cos they believe that one day a man will give birth. The low crotch is so there is room for the baby. So the girls you saw were cross dressers....smile. P xxx

LOL Theres a LOT of room in them pants!

The great advantage of the maxi is of course that it covers up my varicose veins!!!!

loose clothing. mini,s any type, prefer mid calf lenght. dont own hose!!!

i have one maxi skirt which i wear on the very rare ocassion, i actually prefer midi length. but having one is always handy. you never know ? love collette XXX.

it also covers up my wooden leg lol. collette XXX.

fresh out off wooden legs, sorry xxx

now i am in trouble lol, collette XXX

Think Im strange I love Autumn/Winter Fashion. Think I might have to live in Prague.

Not been moved by any clothes this session.

How about the influence of Chinese things on the way we look or could look. Hilary Alexander, one of the doyennes of fashion editors, gives some useful tips in this article from the D Telegraph...and some of them are cheap !!!
Ciao
Audrey xxxx

PS Prague is very hot right now - was last time I looked xxx

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/hilary-alexander/TMG8568251/Maid-in-China-oriental-fashion.html

Seeing as most of us don't seem to like maxi dresses or long skirts - here are the "trends" for the summer....once again from the Telegraph. As always there are somethings none of us would want to wear..but some we would.
Ciao
Audrey xxx

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/hot-topics/302/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2011.html

The first thing to look at is body shape! I never wear long skirts because I have large shoulders and long thin legs, a maxi makes me look like a long shapeless tube (AHHH my secret's out!) I wear short dresses/skirts because that helps balance my torso with my legs, halter neck dresses help to reduce the impression of large shoulders, certain shape dresses seems to help balance my top heavy look which is much more female looking! and.....huge boobs look ludicrous on me as my rib cage and chest are large anyway!...... so its a complicated mix of body shape alligned with length....cut and material of clothes!....... I need help from a female Brian cox professor of quantum body shapes!!
XXXX

Try the catalogues - like JD Williams or Isme etc, etc - they all give advice on what clothes to wear for which body shape. We do differ from generic women in being more of a triangle shape with big shoulders rather than curvy with hips - though many women are apple shaped or rectangular.

Seems to me that you have found styles that suit you and you know that sticking to them makes you look good...which is the main purpose of dressing when we go out.

As a mature gal I have lost the waistline of my girlhood (grrrrr), so am more like an apple shape these days. I find that the inclusion of lycra helps in the garments that I wear, and tend to like cross over tops - both in tops and in dresses. The fabric then falls away from the bustline and draws the eye to the cleavage rather than my tum. The flowing fabrics do cover the "lumps and bumps" - watch a TV channel like QVC to see what i mean..

I love knee length as my legs are OK ( my BF says they are fabulous but he is biased) - long skirts and dresses are nice when I havent shaved my legs or dont feel like wearing stockings, and keep me warm in winter over knee length boots.
I also like wearing a shrug or big scarf to cover my bare shoulders - helps to make then look smaller too ( shoulders I mean). I happen to like long jackets - by long I mean knee length - as they add to the illusion of height and slimness.

I think its partly trial and error to find what you like; plus whether you buy in a shop or via a catalogue you can try on at home and see if the item suits you. If it doesnt take it back to the shop or send it back to catalogue company.
hugs
Pauline xxx

Sadly will be sticking to Primark and nice charity shops in quality areas the combination will always work for me

why sadly...they are a great combo. Key is to find a look like you like and feel good and build on that...isnt it? P xxx
PS Some of my best buys have been in charity shops, a Chanel watch was my best...and Primark too - last year my day outfit for Sparkle - shoes & bag for less than £12

- I know what I like - and you are right indeed why be sad about having more taste than money there are soooooo many out there who boast about wasting sooooooo much money!!!

:)

if i like it i will wear it, if i can afford it i will buy it, charity shops are good, primark is good, so who cares, as long as one is happy with what they are wearing, who gives a hoot, and the people who splash out a fortune on everything, i think they are a bit sad in some cases. it is up to them, but i do not see the need. we all have something expensive in our wardrobe which we use on special ocassion's, and to make us feel nice. so be happy and lucky, love collette XXX.

A well balanced view Collette, as ever. Just dont put the expensive stuff at the back of the wardrobe for a "that special day"...and never wear it. remember there are lots of special days for special gilrs like you. hugs P xxx