For all you hectic mum’s out there with no time to keep up-to-date with the trends for this season – here’s a short and sweet intro to what the designers are predicting for Spring/Summer 2009.

First of all daywear is all about colour – 1980s style!! Go and grab a pack of your kid’s highlighter pens and take a good long look at the colours – these are the colours you are going to be wearing this summer. I don’t know about you but it makes me smile just saying their names: tangerine orange, electric blue, highlighter yellow, fuchsia, cerise, coral, and bubblegum!! Shocking after such a drab winter I know but take a crumb of delight in the fact that when you actually come to wear them the weather will be gloriously hot and sunny – we hope!! And of course, for those of us not brave enough to wear acid brights from head to toe – or not able to wear shocking pink in the Office – this is a great trend for accessories. Update your current look with a tangerine coloured belt or fuchsia jeans and you’ll be the most fashion forward hectic mum out there!

Secondly, the next most exciting trend for me is loungewear. Finally, fashionable summer clothing is going to be comfortable, free and easy – just what you need in the heat of a good English summer when the kids are running rings round you! Hold on though, this isn’t about throwing on your old tracksuit bottoms – this is about sportswear with a luxurious twist. It’s all in the fabric – think silk satins, buttery soft leather, cashmere, and stretch jersey. Think sexy and seductive – tops which drape and slip away from your collar bone, and satin trousers which pool around your hips. It’s all about intimate, pared down luxury not your baggy old sweats with the bleach marks on!

Tailoring tends to be seen year in and year out on the catwalk – and this year is no exception. However, in keeping with this seasons other trends – the 80s and Sports luxe – the silhouette is softer and looser. It’s about a relaxed feminine feeling with long and loose jackets and slouchy trousers. Keep it elegant and urban for the day with a soft shirt, then dress it up for night with a vest top and high heels. This type of tailoring also works for weekend wear too – a trouser shape seen on many of the catwalk was the preppy chino worn cropped and rolled up. Keep the lines clean, keep the colours neutral and keep the fabrics fluid and you’ll have cracked it! And the best thing is this trend will never go out of fashion – it’s definitely an investment buy.

The complete opposite of this trend is Tribal. Think animal print (mainly leopard and zebra) , oversized bright blooms and lots of embellishment. Keep it modern with contrasting textures and rich detailing – look for accents of wood, bone, beading, raffia, leather and suede. Again, the overall feel is simple shapes in soft draped fabrics – dresses and skirts should be maxi and bias cut. Colourwise go for earthy natural tones such as terracotta, and leaf green . Don’t overdo it though – if you’re working the strong prints keep your accessories simple and load up on accessories if you’re working the neutral safari look.

Also the nautical theme we see every summer rears its head again! However, this time it’s more European –think St Tropez. Again, a similar silhouette to that of the tailoring trend, with a loose silhouette – sailor and chino trousers have been updated with a high waist and wide legs. Obviously the key colours are red, white and blue - but make it more modern with graphic motifs and oversized stripes. This is a great trend for accessories too – fashion forward and playful all rolled into one – indulge yourself with colourful scarves, fabulous sunglasses and chic sunhats.

Finally, in keeping with the seductive theme – evening wear is all about subtle romance. I’m talking about leaving something to the imagination – it’s about interaction, imagination and suggestion. Colours are the complete opposite of your daytime neon brights – think blush tones, cafe au lait, and peaches and cream. Look for playful shapes with subtle sheer panels. This is pure romance – lingerie fabrics, unstructured shapes, pleats, frills and ruffles. Best kept for those odd nights out with your other half – probably won’t go down as well in the school playground!!