Latest news with #AmandaWakeley
BreakingNews.ie
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
The trending prints to wear instead of florals this summer
By now, florals are practically synonymous with summer dressing. But like The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly once said, florals aren't exactly 'groundbreaking'. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boden (@boden) If you're sick of wearing plain white or ditsy florals and want something less predictable – gingham, polka dots and unusual stripes are big patterns to sport this summer. But what's the best way to style them? British designers share their secrets on how you can revive retro prints and wear them well. Gingham This Fifties-inspired classic always returns in warm weather, but gingham can walk a fine line between being classic and twee. The trick is knowing where that line is . 'Gingham is such a timeless summer staple,' says fashion designer and podcaster Amanda Wakeley OBE, 'but to keep it chic rather than childlike is pretty tough. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura Doyle (@doylediary) 'Silhouettes need to be sleeker and stay away from a plethora of ruffles.' She recommends a streamlined top, balanced with grown-up accessories that elevate rather than embellish. Softer fabrics can definitely help shift the tone when it comes to gingham, as Aspiga' s founder Lucy Macnamara notes, 'gingham can feel nostalgic, but the key to keeping it grown-up is all in the silhouette and styling. Look for organic cotton or linen blends in tailored shapes – shirt dresses, wrap blouses, wide-leg trousers.' (Zara/PA) Zara Gingham Check Top (H&M/PA) H&M Linen-blend Tailored Trousers (Stradivarius/PA) Stradivarius Set of Two Rigid Bracelets Retro vintage Nostalgic prints are a tricky one – as they can either feel cool and timeless or totally outdated. While the Eighties has made a comeback this year, the Mario Buatta-inspired chintz hasn't quite re-entered fashion. This season the runway has taken inspiration from the Seventies and Eighties rock scene, with animal prints in the form of snake, tiger and cow dominating collections. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Frazao (@mariaffrazao) 'Personally, I love a striking animal print or bold retro,' says Wakeley. 'I have a soft spot for Seventies-inspired motifs – they remind me of my travels in Kenya and India,' says Macnamara. Advertisement Worn as a statement piece pared with monochromes in either red, white or butter yellow, animal print is remarkably easy to throw on and look put together. (H&M/PA) H&M Brown/Tortoiseshell-patterned Sunglasses (And Other Stories/PA) & Other Stories Cow-Print Leather Tote (Tu Clothing/PA) Tu Clothing Buttermilk Tailored Linen Blend Co-ord Waistcoat Polka dots Returning this year as a firm favourite is the polka dot. Loved by the Princess of Wales, last year this playful print dominated the high street with Pretty Woman-inspired mocha dresses. The Princess of Wales re-wore a polka-dot Alessandra Rich dress at the Thanksgiving Service for VE Day in May this year (Jonathan Brady/PA) Once reserved purely for the Sloane ranger, the polka dot has been shaking off its preppy reputation and emerging with more fashion flair, cropping up on the runways of Valentino and Moschino in Eighties-inspired cocktail dresses and Mickey Mouse-sized dots on power-shouldered blazers. 'I adore them in monochrome palettes,' says Wakeley, who favours a dark navy or ivory as a base, 'in either medium-sized or small dots is really sophisticated. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caroline Cook (@carolinesstylehacks) '[They] work particularly well printed on chiffons and lightweight fabrics which can be cut with volume and movement which adds an element of romance.' Macnamara is drawn to understated tones too, 'to keep them elegant, I prefer a smaller, scattered dot on a neutral background like cream, navy or soft chocolate,' she says. 'A silk blouse or wrap dress in a mini-dot print can feel playful without being overpowering.' If you're looking for something more daring, the experts suggest picking fabric or colour when it comes to this print – not both – to avoid looking too gaudy. (River Island/PA) River Island White Sleeveless Polka Dot Mesh Top (Nobody's Child/PA) Nobody's Child White Polka Dot Linen-blend Tasmin Midi Dress Bayadere and organic stripes Stripes never really go away, but this summer, they've loosened up. Advertisement 'This season, there is a layering of different scales of stripes and a use of more irregular stripes,' says Wakeley. 'There's a wonderful androgyny about wearing stripes – they're striking, eye-catching, but timeless.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nic & Liv | Dopamine Dressing + Colourful Living (@novasistas) While the Nineties bayadere stripe is making a comeback, 'We're also seeing more relaxed, irregular hand-drawn stripes which I love for a more artisanal, effortless feel,' says Macnamara. 'The key is to go for colours that lift your skin tone and keep the rest of your look clean and simple.' (Anthropologie/PA) Anthropologie Oversized Stripe Hair Scrunchie (Oliver Bonas/PA) Oliver Bonas White Lobster Graphic T-shirt (Damson Madder/PA) Damson Madder Chlo Trousers – Red Stripe The most flattering prints The question of what is 'flattering' often crops up when it comes to prints. While you should wear whichever print you feel best in, some can work better than others. 'Paisleys tend to flatter all shapes,' says Wakeley, 'I'd steer clear of overly large, bold prints if you're feeling body-conscious. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daughters of India (@daughtersofindia) 'Smaller-scale prints can create movement and elongation.' Macnamara agrees, saying that 'they draw the eye without overwhelming the frame. Placement is also important – prints concentrated at the hem or sleeve can be really flattering.' (Aspiga/PA) Aspiga Aurelia Organic Cotton Block Print Dress How to print clash The resurgence of Seventies-style print clashing can be very cool, but definitely requires a certain level of conviction. 'This is a 'more is more' trend,' says Wakeley. 'There are no rules – so have fun and just go for it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nic & Liv | Dopamine Dressing + Colourful Living (@novasistas) But if you want a slightly more strategic approach, Macnamara says 'the trick is to keep the colour palette consistent. 'Soft terracotta, blush, sand […] play with scale – pair a bold, larger print with a finer, more delicate one.' For the uninitiated, she suggests starting small: 'A printed blouse with a patterned scarf or headband can be a subtle way in.'
RTÉ News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
What swimwear styles are trending this summer?
With summer fast approaching, finding the perfect swimsuit is a tricky task that can leave you drowning in a sea of options. Whether you're jetting off abroad or are planning on hitting some more local beaches, a good swimsuit or two-piece is a summer staple. This season, sculptural shapes, retro prints and nostalgic colour blocking are making a comeback according to swimwear experts. Here are their must-try styles for summer 2025. 1. Sculptural and minimal Sleek, minimal designs with metallic detailing are making waves this season. "There's a resurgence in sculptural silhouettes – elegant one-shoulders, discreet cut-outs and scuba-inspired one-pieces with zip detailing, which I personally love," explains fashion designer and podcaster Amanda Wakeley. There also seems to be a rising trend for swimwear that transitions beyond the beach, like pairing costumes with maxi skirts and sarongs for an effortless, White Lotus- inspired look. "Statement one-pieces are taking centre stage," agrees founder and creative director of Baíah, Tracy Nahar, "with details like asymmetrical necklines and sculpted corset-style shaping." Nahar points out the return of textured fabrics, leaning into the resurgence of the Eighties trend, "crinkled Lycra and ribbed stretch materials not only elevate the look but also contour beautifully to the body." 2. Retro revival and colour blocking Colour blocking with bright, mood-lifting colours seems to be back this summer. "There's a real shift toward mood-lifting colour," says founder of Paper London, Philippa Thackeray, "sunshine tones like lemon, coral and cobalt are big, but it's not just about brights – there's nuance. "Rich navy, soft pastels and pops of retro colour blocking, with gingham being big too," says Thackeray. It's not just the colours of the Eighties that are big in swimwear this season. "Square necklines, higher leg cuts and underwired classics," are seeing a strong revival, explains swimwear design manager at Pour Moi, Vicky Chadeyron. "Bold ocean blues are another major player, a gorgeous and flattering colour," she says. Other Eighties prints like polka-dots are also trending this season. 3. Figure flattering styles Finding flattering swimwear can feel like a never-ending pursuit, summer after summer. While it's specific to your body shape, there are some universal styles that can flatter any figure. "One of the most flattering styles across body types is a plunging neckline, which draws the eye vertically and creates a lengthening, slimming effect," explains Thackeray. Ruche and wrap details are also good options for those conscious of their stomach, with belted details and wrap styles helping define the waist. "Surprisingly, I think a string bikini can be incredibly flattering for all body types – the key is adjustability," says Wakeley. "It's less about size, more about how it makes you feel – and confidence is always the most flattering look of all. Drawstrings on one-piece swimsuits allow for a degree of customisation of fit and add a soft drape, which is generally very flattering." 4. Styles that aren't just for Instagram While strapless styles and cut-out detailing may be trending – functionality is just as important as fashion when it comes to swimwear. "There are so many beautiful suits out there that just don't hold up once you actually get in the water," laughs Thackeray. Excessive cut-outs and barely-there straps seem to be the main culprits, "[they] might look amazing online, but in real life they can be restrictive or high-maintenance," she says. Other, more wearable trends can be just as impactful. "A single dramatic strap or a modest cut-out [can] bring the same impact without compromising comfort," says Nahar. Trying on a range of styles – as opposed to blindly ordering what looks good online – is the best way to find the perfect shape for you. "Swimwear should move with you, not against you," says Wakeley. "Make sure it fits well and stays in place, otherwise you will be spending way too much time re-positioning it."
