Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

The evenings are lighter, rumour has it that actual Spring might be making an actual appearance sometime soon and I’ve finally removed my thermal socks. Oh yeah! So naturally my thoughts have turned to my spring/summer wardrobe – which, to be frank, needs work. What about yours?
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Let&#8217;s peruse our pick of the highstreet&#8217;s – and all online –  five key spring/summer wardrobe updaters (don’t worry: no crop tops were involved in the making of this feature).
LILAC TIME<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-66346 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/04/lilac.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="763" />
It’s the colour of the season but it can be a tricky beast to wear. It’s a case of trial and error – hold pieces up to your face to see if you can carry it off. We adore this perky <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0642482001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pansy print jumpsuit</a> (£34.99) from the Anna Glover collection at H&amp;M (she’s a hotshot London wallpaper and textiles designer). Meanwhile, Gap’s lilac <a href="http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1105383&amp;pcid=60582&amp;vid=1&amp;pid=000232977000" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">longline shirt</a> (£27.97) works well with classic blue jeans, ditto this bargainous H&amp;M <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0496111011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">jumper</a> (£17.99). Nervous about the colour purple? Dip a toe into the trend with these Zara <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/leather-slides-p11612301.html?v1=6094148&amp;v2=805003" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">suede slides</a> (£49.99).
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SUITS YOU 
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It’s truly the season of the trouser suit and I’m hankering after one – I think they look so modern with a simple T-shirt and white trainers. No one will miss you in this jaunty scarlet <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/tuxedo-style-blazer-p02173783.html?v1=5944003&amp;v2=797504" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zara blazer</a> (£69.99) and trousers (£29.99), while the same store also has this black <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/jacquard-blazer-p02375455.html?v1=5719523&amp;v2=815545" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">floral one</a> (£69.99 for the blazer, £29.99 for the trousers). It’d make a sleek wedding outfit – a cooler alternative to a dress. Looking for something lower key? This French Connection <a href="https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-new-in/75jaf/hattie-linen-jacket.htm?clr=ffd6e6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blazer</a> (£130) and trousers (£80) are pretty in pink, while H&amp;M show that cream <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0615159001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">linen suits</a> (blazer £59.99, trousers £39.99) aren’t just for colonial sorts on safari holidays.
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SPARKLE AND SHINE
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To be honest, you’ll struggle to find a season why metallics aren’t a thing – they’re basically considered a neutral these days. This iridescent Zara <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/sweater-with-oval-sequins-p05755009.html?v1=6121558&amp;v2=719015" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">giant sequins top</a> (£49.99) comes in a gorgeous colourway – I’d wear it in the daytime with jeans as it’s too nice to save only for best. New shoes you say? Zara have these <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/braided-high-heel-sandals-p12332301.html?v1=5412036&amp;v2=719531" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">braided sandals</a> (woven shoes are another big trend) in rose gold (£17.99), while H&amp;M have <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0609176005.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bronze trainers</a> (£24.99). You’ll need something to carry all these new purchases –  voilà Gap’s roomy <a href="http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1101412&amp;pcid=1074802&amp;vid=1&amp;pid=000223570000" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">silver tote</a> (£37.49).
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STRIPES REDUX
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Stripes are another perennial but this season anything goes apart from boring old Breton tops. C’mon, we can do better than that! This bold monochrome <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0576653001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stripe jumper</a> (£17.99 from H&amp;M) reminds me of both The Cure’s Robert Smith and Dennis The Menace so it’s a yes from me. On a prettier tip, this <a href="https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-embroidery/72hyk/striped-rothko-cotton-shirt.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">French Connection blouse</a> (£80) feature stripes and floral embroidery in perfect harmony, as does this summery Zara <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/striped-and-embroidered-tunic-p03440045.html?v1=5689536&amp;v2=805003" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">shirt dress</a> (£39.99). Finally, while only a lunatic would wear horizontal striped trousers, these loose <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0634523001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">vertical lined ones</a> (£24.99) are just the ticket.
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WE LOVE THE EIGHTIES
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You don’t have to dress like a New Romantic or a Joan Collins in Dynasty to reference fashion’s current favourite decade. Just a nod here and there will do. This pleated, drapey <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-tunic-with-belt-p01131003.html?v1=5865057&amp;v2=719020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zara dress</a> (£19.99) reminds me of how my mum used to dress on summer days when I was a child and – bonus – is a flattering cut and a total bargain. A checked, double breasted blazer will probably be the most useful thing you buy this season – wear this <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0607564004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">H&amp;M one</a> (£34.99) with high-waisted jeans for full-on ‘80s vibes. H&amp;M also major in retro sweatshirts this season. <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0620083005.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This one</a> (£17.99) reminds me of my Kids From Fame obsession. I’m also on the hunt for a pair of oversized <a href="https://www.claires.com/70mm-gold-tone-stone-hoop-earrings-214367.html?cgid=34&amp;lang=en_GB#srule=PriceH2L&amp;sz=36&amp;start=3&amp;lang=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">gold hoop earrings</a> and spotted these at Claire’s (£8.40). Just call me Sade…
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PS here’s five new season trends we’ll leave to the teenagers, thanks…
Bum bags; those tiny sunglasses that make you look like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix (the whole point of sunnies is to obscure as much of one’s face as possible, no?); horribly clumpy trainers that channel those pricey Balenciaga ones but remind us of our ‘80s PE teacher; voluminous trousers with a voluminous top (where’s my waist gone?) and cropped tops (obviously).
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5 new season trends you can actually wear

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