Once again, femininity became designers’ best source of inspiration for the upcoming season. In this sense, they have chosen appropriate textures able to exude maximum ladylike vibe. Lace, embroideries, satin, silk, leather, chiffon and tulle-and-plissé are the main fabric trends seen on the catwalks. A touch of glossiness and sensuality through soft, delicate fabrics for alluring, sophisticated silhouettes.

For spring/summer 2011, fabrics will generally be the traditional ones, appropriate for the warm season, such as cotton, lace or silk. Besides, the eternal denim and timeless leather, but also the already famous tweed (Chanel), embroideries, crochet, chiffon and satin (Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Miu Miu) were highly used in order to create amazing feminine pieces, perfect for casual or more elegant occasions.

Sheerness, lightness and girlishness seem to be the best words describing the fabric trends for spring/summer 2011. More than ever, transparency is taken to a whole new level revealing delicate silhouettes and creating unexpected combinations. Maxi, silky dresses and skirts, but also sheer, sexy blouses worn with high-waisted pants for a refined and sensual appearance were spotted on the catwalks.

Max AzriaChloé

Jason WuNina Ricci

Lace
Seen at Dolce & Gabbana, Brioni, Alberta Ferretti and Antonio Marras, lace is one of the sweetest and most romantic fabric trends. For spring/summer 2011, you can use this incredible fabric in order to come up with retro chic outfits. Besides, you should also try something more daring and wear an exotic outfit by matching an oriental-inspired blouse made in sheer lace with a long semi-transparent silk skirt. Still, try to avoid layering more lace pieces and opt instead for a '60s-inspired dress or for a blazer with round shoulders or a sheer blouse.

Embroidery and crochet
Embroidery is another texture able to give the most feminine and ladylike touch to a summer look. For special occasions, choose sophisticated dresses with golden embroidery, in the art deco style, while for a casual outfit go for simpler styles made in cotton with colored embroidery and floral patterns. You can bring out embroidered pieces by pairing them with metallic shoes, golden bangles or chandelier earrings. Designers also used crochet in order to design beautiful handmade items.

Dolce & GabbanaBrioni

Alberta FerrettiRalph Lauren

ErdemSalvatore Ferragamo

Leather
Leather, especially the biker leather jacket (Burberry Prorsum), is one of those fabrics that will never go out of style. For spring/summer 2011, designers didn't use just black, but they thought instead of a wider color palette (Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Akris, Céline). For those who are looking for something more edgier, a leather dress as seen at Christian Siriano, Versace, or Nina Ricci is the right choice. If you are not so much into the leather dresses, you can choose a leather top and pair it with a soft, silky skirt (Chloé).

Denim
Being considered as one of the most versatile and comfortable fabrics ever, denim seems to defy all fashion trends. It is reinvented every season, coming in unique, innovative versions, appropriate for numerous types of events. From jackets and blazers (Elie Tahari, D&G), shorts (Balmain) to dresses (Twenty8Twelve), jeans (Moschino, Balmain, Derek Lam, Badgley Mischka, Chanel, D&G) and even head-to-toe denim outfits (Derek Lam, Thakoon), the forthcoming warm season comes with a riot of possibilities for every taste and personality.

BalenciagaChristian Siriano

ChloéD&G

ChanelDerek Lam

Photos via style.com