How To
Top ten fashion tips for summer
Sue Locke provides some quick solutions for creating summer styles from our existing wardrobe simply by adding a little flower power, colour and lace
1. IN YOUR HAND
Make a clutch extra special by covering it with rows of topstitching at 1cm intervals.
2. FLOWER POWER
You won’t escape flower power this season so if you like things in moderation add a big floral collar to a plain cotton blouse.
3. SKIRTING THE ISSUE
Buy yourself some fabric paints and stencils at your local craft shop and paint your own pattern along the hem edge of a plain skirt.
4. STITCH THE LINE
Take a tip from Dolce and Gabbana and add thick strips of black bias binding to a plain cotton skirt machining them from waist to hem spacing them 6 cm (2 ½") apart.
TOP TIP… TOP TIP…TOP TIP…TOP TIP… TOP TIP…
5. FRILLED TO BITS
Turn a plain sleeveless blouse into something special by adding a wide length of lace to your armholes. Cut your lace so that it is at least 18 cm (7") at the shoulders tapering down to 1cm (1/2") at the underarm.
6. DEEP IMPACT
Look through the fabric department at Ikea for lots of striking prints to make a bold ethnic top this summer.
7. TWISTER
Make two chiffon scarves in different but similarly coloured prints. Twist them together for an unusual neck piece.
8. BAG THIS
Gucci showed some wonderful grey cotton bags with black and red flowers this summer. Make your own grey canvas bag and create your own detailing by glueing or stitching on leaves made in black felt and small flower-shapes in red felt.
9. SUMMER MADNESS
Bring a plain coloured sundress in dark cloth up to date by adding white topstitching round the hem, neckline, straps and pockets.
10. SHOW A LEG
Never discard summer trousers that have plenty of life in them but have shrunk in the wash. Simply re-cut them to this season’s favourite below-the-knee crop and show off your tanned legs.
