Life

FASHION: Step into style and say it with stripes this summer

Go graphic with this summer’s shortcut to streamlined. Lisa Haynes shows you how to do linear style

Finery Savona Stripe Dress, available from finerylondon.com
Finery Savona Stripe Dress, available from finerylondon.com Finery Savona Stripe Dress, available from finerylondon.com

IT'S the graphic trend that keeps on giving when it comes to limb lengthening. If you're not already sold on stripes, this is the season to add illusion-prompting lines to your fashion itinerary.

The SS17 catwalks practically turned into a barcode of stripyness, ranging from subtle PJ pinstripes to uber-bold panels.

With all those clean, straight lines, stripes are the minimalist's way to do impactful prints. Classic monochrome is the starkest way to wear them, while multicoloured seaside stripes are the loudest – think of the brightest deckchair on a beautiful beach.

Line up for this summer's hottest stripes...

ZEBRA CROSSING

If you're fully committed to the linear look, go bold with uber-wide vertical or horizontal stripes. There's no softly-softly approach with supersized stripes but, as a rule, keep one of the contrasting colours in a neutral, like black, navy, cream or white, to avoid overkill. Black and white is everyone's best friend but red and cream is this summer's hottest colour combo.

STRIPE STYLE TIP: Wear your silhouettes in extremes, such as wide-leg pants or a structured dress to give bold stripes a good canvas.

TRY: J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams stripe skirt, £70, out end of May (debenhams.com); Finery Savona Stripe Dress, £149 (finerylondon.com); Topshop Silk Satin Stripe Trousers by Boutique, £90 (topshop.com).

CLASH TACTICS

If one stripe isn't enough, do the double. This season stripes are pre-primed to clash whether it's different directions, mixed bands, or contrasting colours. Think of your body as a human barcode. Go clash crazy with one piece where the work has all been done for you, or try separates with different stripe directions for a double illusion.

STRIPE STYLE TIP: Bold, mixed prints are busy enough solo, so scale down your jewellery and accessorising to maximise your statement stripes.

TRY: Oliver Bonas Absorb Asymmetric Stripe Dress, £69.50 (oliverbonas.com); V by Very Crew Neck Contrast Stripe Jumper, £10 (very.co.uk); Simply Be Beach to Beach Stripe Jumpsuit, £30 (simplybe.co.uk)

PYJAMA PARTY

They were once the kind of stripes you snoozed in, but pyjama stripes are enjoying a moment outside of the bedroom. If you're feeling brave (or sleepy), go for a full Lanvin-inspired two-piece stripeathon with matching top and trousers. For a more subtle approach, pull on a nightshirt-style tunic with jeans, so there's no mistaking your nightwear as daywear.

STRIPE STYLE TIP: PJ-style stripe pieces are best served in sheeny fabrics, like silk. Look for seamless underwear to avoid any show-through.

TRY: Jigsaw stripe tunic, £119, available end of May (jigsaw-online.com); Whistles Silk Stripe Tie Front Trouser, £249, and matching Stripe Cami, £159 (whistles.com); Y.A.S Jola Striped Long Shirt at Brand Attic, £22 (brandattic.com)

GET THE LOOK

Claudia Winkleman took the peekaboo approach on the red carpet at the recent British Academy Television Awards. Her exact Self-Portrait dress has sold out, but you can get a similar sheer skirt vibe with this Self-Portrait Paisley Lace Midi Dress, £280 (matchesfashion.com)

BUY IT NOW

Meet the trobe... It's a clever towel-meets-robe hybrid c/o The Modesty Company that's made for post-bathroom lounging. The new line of luxe towel wraps come in white, navy or lilac trim, £49.50 each, but you can get 15 per cent off all wraps until the end of May. Use code TMC31.

:: The Modesty Company Classic Wrap, £49.50 (www.themodestycompany.com)

FASHION FLASH

:: SHADY LADY

They may look cool sitting on your nose but are those bargain shades actually sun-friendly? Turns out more than a third of people own replica sunglasses with no UV protection, according to a recent survey by online lighting store, Scotlight Direct. Almost half (49 per cent) believe that darker lenses provide more protection (even though that's not the case), and 56 per cent don't know whether the sunglasses they own offer high UV protection for their eyes.

STYLE STEAL

Ruffle some feathers this summer, flamingo-style. George's bargain hot-pink sandals are only £12 (that's just £6 per foot!), available in stores at the end of May.

:: George at Asda Pink Ruffle Sandals, £12 (www.george.com)