Morocco, the 70’s, Japan, oh my! The trends for this summer have been time-travel inducing Far East influenced. But nonetheless, they are some very drool-worthy garments – and they make me want to go to Morocco, and even head back a few decades.

Perhaps the most common trend for the chic globetrotter this summer is a hearkening back to the 70’s travelwear glam. And no, I would not recommend rummaging through your mum’s closet. In fact, please don’t, you’re never sure what you’ll find in the depths of your parents past.

Diane Von Furstenberg, Photo Courtesy of Vogue

I’m a particular fan of this Diane Von Furstenberg…if I could carry that print…and those pants! It’s a matter of having the confidence to pull it off.

But what this means for those of us that can’t buy a £1,000 dress – look to mix texture and print to get an air of this 70’s era glamour, and of course, as it’s summer, add some bold colour in there too!

If you really want to take that colour a few steps further, take the rave-inspired acid colours of the summer and go with it. Though associated with the rave scene, the silhouettes for this season are elegant and simple – for the most part – rather than grunge. Lanvin, Halston and MaxMara especially take neon colours to new heights (and lengths) of elegance.

If you’ve already worked your tan and have a bikini body still, Gucci has got your number. Short skirts, cutouts and jewel tones – if I wasn’t pale and could afford Gucci, I’d buy what they’re selling.

Colour Blocking

But look for bold colours and simple cuts – dresses that will flatter your figure in more ways than one. And that is available at every price-point, especially if you’re a crafty gal.

And if you’re really crafty, you can take this last trend and do it yourself in the best way! Obi belts are in this summer, and can carry over into any season – they are a great sparkle and brightness to pull together any outfit, from going over a chunky cardi in the fall to cinching in a maxi dress in the last weeks of summer.

Obi Belts

If you can’t afford to go to Japan, at least you can, maybe, if you’re lucky, acquire some of that elegance and hold your outfits together with a dashing obi belt.

For the more budget-wary, take a turn at your local haberdashery store or fabric store; find a decently heavy fabric that has some interest – texture, pattern, sparkle, colour – and just use a length of that as a makeshift obi belt. The purpose is to draw the eye to the smallest part of you – your waist – and even a makeshift obi will succeed in that sense.

Looking toward the chill and the damp of fall, trends are traveling a little closer to home – tartan patterns are extremely popular in fall/winter collections this year – kilts not necessary.

But it will still be summer for a bit longer yet, so enjoy the warmth and the holiday while you can, and travel if time allows. If not – allow your clothing to travel for you, and present yourself as a sophisticated world traveler, even if you may have never been to Ibiza.

Photos courtesy of  Vouge (UK)

Jade Evans is a freelance writer, most frequently for an international shipping company. She loves to travel and usually feels like she needs a man and van company just to get her and all of her souvenirs (usually clothes) home from the airport.