Trend Alert: Housecoats

all images from Style.com

So the catwalk collections are over and as part of the day job, I have been trawling through each show, to work out out what’s going to influence the way we dress next summer.

Prada is always a hugely influential collection and is much copied every season. But the brilliant thing about Prada is, it is almost impossible to emulate the collection completely, as the clever use of fabric, colour and print and pattern is always just a little bit odd and far too scary for High Street retailers to attempt to copy exactly – thank goodness.

For Spring Summer 2012 Miuccia Prada has excelled herself with a clever combination of lady like shapes, vintage influences and feminine yet unconventional colour combinations! Our absolute key shape of the season has to be the statement coat, which came in the form of the 1950’s style house coat, in floral prints, broderie anglaise, applique, lace and satin floral jacquards. A little bit Betty Draper meets Marilyn Monroe – in the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Also watch our for on the knee pleated skirts, boxy bomber jackets in feminine fabrics, heavy cotton lace on everything and lots and lots of pastel colours.

Now, back to getting out my winter clothes from the loft!