Nautical goes under the sea

I would call this a bridge trend in regards to the fact we see elements of the other trends in all these looks and the over all effect causes the idea rather than things being as clear cut as usual.  When magazines and stylists talk about Nautical, invariably your head runs straight towards stripes in red, white and blue, with the occasional rope trim (YAWN).  Don't get me wrong, this is a summer staple it's easy to wear and the maintenance of the look is fairly minimal.

This trend, this season is about the shape and fabric, evoking the sense of the sea without being constricted by specifics.  I would also predict that this is one of the trends that will be most duplicated on the high street through the coming months as there is so much mileage in it and so many ways to reinterpret the inspiration offered on the catwalks.  My only piece of specific advice is that if you have decided that a big print is going to be your purchase, you have to find a way to make it original rather than recognisable, particularly if you are wearing an item from the High street.  The last thing you want when you are wearing a fabulous outfit is to metaphorically leave the tags on.  So how do you achieve this?  How do you disguise a piece that 1000s of other women could be wearing all over the country.  Well you can either do a Gok Wan and completely remake the dress, whilst adding £100 worth of bedazzling to it (which makes it more expensive than the original he is copying, sorry different rant) or you can look at what is in your wardrobe.

Don't be afraid to change the line of the dress with a belt, safety pin or some elastic bands, it isn't a forever change so you can constantly alter the silhouette giving you loads of scope to "re-wear" an item.  Yes it takes some experimenting and sometimes a good friend to make safety pins and elastic bands helpful but trust me when you get it right, smug won't begin to explain the feeling.  If you don't have the time energy or inclination to alter, try and make your purchases in small boutiques with unknown designers.

Please if you do nothing else, when you buy sequins check how they are attached as you want them decorating you not the floor.