Fashion or style? Do both in stripes.

Fashion may always be on the move, but there is something fairly predictable about a spring/summer season and the catwalks. And that thing is stripes. Because for as many seasons as I can remember, they have always been on trend in some form or another. And this season is no different because lo and behold, the catwalks were full of them. For SS16, your stripes need to be bold and graphic. That said, the classic striped Breton top will never go out of fashion and is a wardrobe staple for every woman but you can update yours for this season with any of these.

Topshop has this Contrast Neck Striped Top £20.  Wear with jeans and white trainers but add a blazer and heels and you are ready for the evening.

They also have this nice Stripe Zip Back Jumper £36. Nice modern detail of the exposed zip down the back to update an otherwise very simple, classic piece. Add some personality with a bright statement necklace or a printed scarf. You don’t have to wear the 80’s mom jeans with it, although you would be bang on if you did.

Zara has this Top with Side Stripe £17.99 which also comes in black and white. Wear out with skinny jeans or tucked in to your girlfriend jeans.

They also have this more graphic Striped Sweater £25.99 in black and white and it also comes in the reverse.

Warehouse has this Cutabout Stripe Top £26. It also comes in navy and camel – very sophisticated if you have the right colouring.

ME+EM has a great line in modern classics and their Striped Box Tee £48 is one of their key wardrobe pieces. It comes in black and cream and navy and white.

This striped number from Uterque £70 also looks very modern and amazing with these black cropped trousers (although this is not the right design if you are tummy conscious at all). I never ever thought I would warm to these but I have to say I am coming round to the flared crop. Whatever next?!

A stripe shirt is another great option and this Striped Shirt £70 Uterque is timeless. Wear semi-tucked in with some rolled up relaxed slim legged jeans trainers. Vertical stripes are great because they draw the eye-line downwards and so instantly knock off several pounds.

If you really want to make your stripes scream this season then this Stripe Cold Shoulder Knit £95 at Whistles is what you need. Bare shoulders are fashion’s latest erogenous zone hich may not all that practical for now but it works when the sun makes an appearance. Again those pesky flared crops. I really do like them…

This was supposed to be all about the striped top but I have spied some rather lovely striped dresses on my search. Oliver Bonas has this very gorgeous Striped Top Pleated Dress £65. Possibly thinking a bit too far in advance given that my barbeque and plastic wendy house are currently swirling around outside rather like Dorothy’s house on the prairie, but this would be lovely for holidays or sunnier days.

Possibly another slight lobotomy with this dress from Uterque £54.90 down from £125 but it would also make an amazing holiday purchase or over a bikini for some serious poolside strutting – if that is what you do. Very fashion but pretty fab. This is clearly for the imaginary holiday that I am going on, rather than Lanzagrotty.

A more sensible (but still very sexy) option is this Striped Stretch Midi Knit Dress from Karen Millen £160. Keep the look monochrome or add a pop of colour with a bright clutch bag. This would be great for a spring wedding or any ‘do’.

So there you have it, stripes are that rare and happy place where fashion can most certainly meet style. At the very least, make sure you have one stripe top in your wardrobe and this season go stripe-tastic.

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