10 Top Fashion Favorites for Spring/Summer 2011

Spring comes and brings us the long awaited freedom through fluid fabrics and playful colors. If you want to keep up with the trends, take a look at these 10 top fashion favorites for spring/summer 2011 and draw your inspiration.

Fashion changes destination every season. Spring/summer 2011 comes with a myriad of beautiful trends suitable for every personality and style, from vibrant, bright colors and floral prints to innocent white and soft nude, from denim to breezy, flowing fabrics. Get ready to live a season full of fashion diversity.

White shirt
The timeless white shirt makes a strong comeback for spring/summer 2011 becoming one of the key elements in our wardrobes. Extremely versatile and practical, this simple piece adds style and elegance to your overall aspect allowing you to create different outfits, whether it is something casual and effortless or, on the contrary, a more chic and sophisticated look. For the warm season, the white shirt was spotted at DKNY, Carolina Herrera in a rather chic version, stylish at Derek Lam, and relaxed at Michael Kors.

Floral prints
The upcoming season is all about romanticism and bohemian clothing items. Therefore, for all prints lovers, spring/summer 2011 comes with a wide palette of floral prints, from Liberty as seen at Alexander Berardi to larger flowers as spotted at Nanette Lepore. For a sweet, innocent, yet playful and flirty look, you can also draw your inspiration from Chanel, D&G and Loewe.

DKNY Dsquared²

D&G Nanette Lepore

Seventies flared pants
The comeback of the seventies-inspired style is among the hottest trends for spring/summer 2011 and it shouldn't be neglected. There are collections, such as Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford which propose silhouettes that take us back in that specific fashion era. One of these '70s-appropriate items are the flared pants. Stylish and chic, the wide leg pants bring a different, more special vibe exuding femininity and sophistication.

Maxi dress
The already famous maxi dress became a fashion favorite not just for this specific season, but for every summer, as it is comfortable and versatile. Breezy, with different prints, casual or, on the contrary, extremely glamorous, maxi dresses were seen all over for spring/summer 201,1 making a strong return. Spotted at Derek Lam, Carlos Miele, Betsey Johnson in flowing feminine versions, elegant and chic at Badgley Mischka, and a rather unusual black variant at Dsquared2, Gianfranco Ferre and Etro, the maxi dress sees a wide range of styles this season.

Marc Jacobs Monique Lhuillier

Derek Lam Carlos Miele

Platform sandals
It's time we gain height for the season that is about to start! Therefore, what better way to achieve this than by choosing a pair of breathtaking platform sandals? Well, we should mention that for spring/summer 2011 we are talking about extremes when it comes to platforms. However, you shouldn't worry as these are usually very comfortable footwear, but also versatile and universally flattering. From dizzy heights (Barbara Bui, Charles Anastase) and simple styles (Ports 1961, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan) to flirty, embellished versions (D&G, Wunderkind, Christian Dior, Blugirl) and candy colored styles (Betsey Johnson, Blugirl), platforms are the perfect choice for a hot summer, casual look, but also for a more elegant one.

Charles Anastase Wunderkind

Ports 1961 Betsey Johnson

Leather jacket
Reveal the wild, rock'n'roll side in you by choosing one item that already became a classic, the leather jacket, especially now that it can be worn also during spring and summer. Draw your inspiration from Barbara Bui, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balmain or Isabel Marant who revive the rockabilly trend. This is one smart investment, both versatile and practical, being the perfect extra for almost any outfit even for a more chic one (Burberry Prorsum).

Preppy cardigan
Preppy style is a must-have for spring 2011. Moreover, an old-school cardigan represents that special, versatile item that can be worn for different occasions, from casual to an evening out. Therefore, you can have fun mixing and matching. You can wear it with a white shirt, denim shorts and Oxford shoes as seen at Dsquared² or adopt a more feminine, yet office-appropriate approach pairing it with skirts and platform sandals (Christopher Kane).

Balmain Burberry Prorsum

Dsquared² Christopher Kane

Something bright, something nude
This summer get ready to play with extremes! Designers used a wide palette of fruity, energizing colors (Gucci, Jil Sander, Michael Kors, Prada, Sportmax, MaxMara) that make you stand out in the crowd. However, a lot of attention should be payed when matching bright colors and neutrals, such as white, beige or black. Still, this season you are allowed to break some of the unwritten fashion rules and try bolder combinations of colors.

At the other extreme we have subtle, soft, second-skin nude shades (Narciso Rodriguez and Hervé Ledger) that perfectly complement a sun-kissed skin, but also a lighter one adding a fresh touch. Pale tones can look sexy and elegant as long as you know how to choose them based on your skin complexion and hair color. Designers such as Chloé, Versace, MaxMara, Lanvin, Antonio Berardi and Giambattista Valli propose nude tones for spring/summer 2011.

Gucci Jil Sander

Versace Chloé

Denim
We just can't have enough of it! Elie Tahari, Derek Lam, Just Cavalli, Moschino, Dries Van Noten, D&G, Stella McCartney, Rebecca Taylor are some of the designers that prove once again that denim is eternal. Already a classic, denim reinvents itself season after season, coming in a riot of shapes and styles. From the head-to-toe denim look to skirts, tailored jackets, shirts, or high-waisted jeans, spring/summer 2011 offers a wide range of possibilities.

Jumpsuits
The famous jumpsuits are back in style! Chic and elegant or, on the contrary, fun and playful, a well-chosen jumpsuit can become a fashion statement as long as you buy one to suit your body shape. This season, amid many neutrals and soft tones (Richard Chai Love, Haider Ackermann, Gucci, Oscar de La Renta), you will also find bright, bold colors (Marc Jacobs, Costume National, Fendi ), but also sweet, bohemian prints (Sonia Rykiel, D&G, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DKNY).

Elie Tahari Stella McCartney