Romance was a huge theme in the SS2016 collections. There were a lot of pale florals as opposed to the dark florals we saw in 2015. Erdem and Etro were the leaders in this category. Mixing lace, pale florals, transparency and victorian details in the cuts of their dresses.

The addition of the black tie on this Erdem dress makes the green stand out against the silvery white background. I love this look from Veronica Etro, especially the trim on the bottom of the skirt. It’s flirty and feminine and 100% wearable.

Lingerie is not something everyone can wear in the everyday lives of work, home, and family but it’s a trend worth exploring. Celine and YSL showed skimpy slip dresses that skimmed the body. Celine’s dresses were silk with lace trim. YSL’s super mini dresses were entirely lace with shimmery beads and embroidery. Take a cue from these two designers and pair these lace looks with boots, flats and oversized bags. It adds a bit of street to the boudoir.

To get this look, think of pieces that skim the body not those tight camis with lace trim you have sitting in your drawer. Look for vintage slips and then wear them over skinny jeans or layer them under skirts. Keep the accessories or other clothing pieces casual to complete the look.

The 3rd look in this romance theme I’ve named 50s sweetness. Full-skirts, bows and tons of colour. I am totally in love with everything Alessandro Michele is doing at Gucci. The clothes, the bags, the shoes! Everything!

The bows and bomber jacket from Gucci remind me of 1950s style. This no collar coat over a full skirt presented by Dries Van Noten also has a 1950s feel. Those midi skirts you bought last year can be worn again this season.

Next post I’ll explore the movement theme from SS2016.

PAPER ART

I adapted a previous dress from Florals Revisited to illustrate the pale romance theme. I simply cut a plunging neckline into the dress and added more flowers to the trim. I’m always about adapting older pieces into new looks in my own wardrobe and now I have done it in paper as well!