Dannii Minogue's Spring/summer Trend Tips

Posted: 01/06/11

Dannii Minogue

Follow: Dannii Minogue, Fashion, Springsummer 2011

Dannii wears floral dress by D&G. Photo: Stuart Nicholas White for MyDaily

Coral and floral, two words perhaps more likely to bring to mind images of your grandma than high fashion. But don't be fooled – this season's trends are all about beautiful, soft dressing and the reinvention of feminine style.

I teamed up with my UK style consultant Angie Smith to highlight five of my favourite looks for Spring/Summer 2011. D x

Dannii Minogue's spring/summer trend tips

Colour-blocking
 If you’ve always been afraid of wearing strong colour, this season’s colour-blocking trend is the perfect way to confront that fear. When it comes to colour, it’s all about the brighter the better, with tangerine, violet, magenta and cobalt all making appearances on the spring/summer catwalks of Gucci, Versace and MaxMara.
Colour-blocking
 Coral – a colour I used to loathe as a teenager – is now one of my favourites. I used to think it was such a “Nana” shade, but it’s so pretty and delicate that these days I love it - in everything from makeup to the cool coral-coloured J.Crew skinny belt I wear constantly. If you’re not ready to go top-to-toe day-glo, a flash of brilliant colour on shoes, a bag or sunglasses is a great way to go. Mix brights with nude tones and steer clear of black to avoid dating your look. <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/bagsaccessories/12/3?extra=sch&n=women&mpch=ads " target="_blank">Buy Next snake-effect tote bag, £28</a>
Lace
 For vintage dressing with a modern twist you can’t look past lace this season. I loved what Valentino did with lace and fine mesh in their spring/summer show, and Jasper Conran has created some amazing lace effects with laser cut leather and other non-traditional fabrics.
Lace
 One of my favourite dresses from The X Factor last year was a white lace J’Aton dress I wore in week one, and it’s interesting to me that white lace - which we normally associate with weddings - has become such a statement look. My Australian hair and makeup artist Fotini has been busy raiding her mum’s wardrobe recently and having things customised or altered to fit her so, if you can’t afford to go out and buy designer pieces, there’s nothing stopping you reinventing a vintage piece. Keep the look clean and light with patent heels and minimal jewellery.
1970s
 One of the easiest trends to tap into this season, 1970s style is back with a bang. Think denim flares, halter necks, wedge heels, maxi dresses, and bold, gold, statement jewellery. Take a leaf out of the Charlie’s Angels’ look book and try a lush, Gucci-style jumpsuit. If the cut is right and the fabric is really liquid, they can melt off the body and be an incredibly flattering style (just avoid anything that adds to the body and pads you out). <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2392611&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=jumpsuit&pageSize=20" target="_blank">Buy Topshop tan knot-front halter jumpsuit, £60</a>
1970s
 When it comes to 70s dressing, there are heaps of options on the high street this season. The retro section of the <a href="http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/03/22/revealed-hot-new-mands-ad/" target="_blank">TV commercial</a> we filmed for Marks and Spencer in Miami recently was all about the maxi dresses, hoop earrings, lip-gloss and flicked hairdos. (Look closely at <a href="http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/03/22/revealed-hot-new-mands-ad/" target="_blank">the ad</a> and you’ll see Lisa Snowdon and me losing it laughing because one of the extras started busting his John Travolta moves centre stage.)
Nudes
 Will the nude bandwagon ever run out of steam? I for one hope not! Soft, romantic shapes and fabrics, as seen on the catwalks of Valentino and MaxMara, are key to this season’s nude incarnation, accessorised with contrasting butter-soft tan accessories.
Nudes
 It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the nude shoe for its leg-lengthening properties, and nudes are incredibly practical for travel and casual wear. There’s a softness about everything that is really appealing and – if you’re on the go – it’s a look that’s easy to update from day to night. <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_58958%201870624309_-1?CMP=AFC-ANET-437947" target="_blank">Buy Carvela nude almond high-heel shoes, £95</a>
Florals
 I’ve always felt a little nervous about wearing print fabrics – they can swamp small frames – but with the riot of florals out there this season, there’s something for everyone. Tabs and I included some floral prints in our new <a href="http://www.projectdonline.co.uk/collection/SS11" target="_blank">spring/summer collection</a> (see Project D Anya, pictured).
Florals
 Dolce & Gabbana and Erdem’s floaty maxi dresses are beautiful, and some of Erdem’s floral overload looks are also fun. If you like the idea of clashing florals but you’re not confident to go for the full overload look, why not try little floral shorts with a clashing clutch or hair band or a cute little floral sneaker or pump?