I don’t know how you guys are doing in Colombo but the UK is slowly opening up after its third national lockdown. All restaurants, bars, cinemas, non-essential shops (pretty much anything that might spark a hint of joy) is shut and has been for what feels like forever. Couple that with the last five months of autumn and winter and we’ve pretty much been holed up in our loungewear and fluffy slippers sipping hot chocolate all the while. However, there are a few good things to look forward to. Firstly, we are now in spring which means longer daylight hours and warmer weather is on the horizon. Secondly, our vaccine rollout is going swimmingly well and we dare to look forward to a summer with a veneer of normality. With it we are hopeful of banishing our loungewear – forever. So, what do we plan to wear when we are finally allowed to leave our homes? I’ve scoured the Spring Summer 21 catwalks to spot the trends that I think will work just as well in Colombo as they might in London. 

These trends are inclusive of all shapes and sizes:

Take it to the floor

If you’re wearing one dress this season make it a floor length maxi. Think less red carpet and more emerging-from-lockdown-like-a-butterfly-out-of-a-cocoon dressing. It’s casual, free,happy day-dressing. Pick jewel colours, sheer fabrics such as chiffons and silks and opt for volume. It’s what fashion people would call a ‘floaty maxi dress’ behind closed doors. Dior, Valentino and Erdem all showed this gorgeous trend. Throw away the shackles of lockdown and float away.

Monochrome

I worked in fashion long enough to know that this is one trend that never dies. It comes back in one incarnation or another every season. I also worked in fashion long enough to know that this is not an easy trend to pull off at home. Unless you have a team of stylists putting together your monochrome outfit there’s every chance that you will bungle it and leave your house looking like a penguin. So, steer clear of trying to assemble a monochrome outfit. Instead opt for mono prints in long dresses: stripes, Aztec and checks. They’re particularly flattering when cut on the bias because it elongates the body. Avoid floral prints at all costs – that is not how you do monochrome. If you want to dip your toes into the trend without fully committing to it, wear a white tee with black tailored trousers and stack on some chunky jewellery. 

She sells sea shells

One of the recurring themes of post-pandemic fashion is escapism and fantasy. I mean, can you blame us? Altuzarra, Dior and Versace went all out with this trend for Spring Summer 21. Dresses, shirts, skirts and shorts were adorned with starfish, seahorses and seashells and teamed with gorgeous beach bags and sandals. Throw in palm trees, tropical flowers and Hawaiian prints to the mix because this one is about having fun.

Peek a boo 

I love this trend and actually invested in a piece of knitwear with a cut out detail, just before we went into our third lockdown. Needless to say, I’ve worn it on countless Zoom meetings. Again, this is not a new trend but one that has simply resurfaced and looks set to take off. It could be a keyhole detail in a dress, a cutout at the waist of a jumpsuit or a slit in a sleeve on a top. The trend is in the detail and not the garment. Easy to wear, adaptable and flirty. Cheers to all of that.

Sit pretty in pink

This is the trend that I’m taking to the bank, simply because from the perspective of a former Buyer, it has the greatest commercial value. Anyone can do it; size, shape, colour does not matter. If it’s pink, wear it. Any shade, any garment, any fabric. Cerise, fuchsia, watermelon – the bolder the better. Oversized shirts, long dresses, fluffy skirts, basic tees, shorts and even blazers – it’s all good. Roksanda and Molly Goddard led the way and the rest followed. If you’re investing in a trend make it this one. Buy a classic shape that suits your body type and you will wear it all the time.