Pre-fall 17 trends: Portrait of a lady

For any retailer with a big dresses business, pre-fall 17 is turning into a pre-season to be thankful for, offering up a huge selection of ideas both for formal occasions and for contrarian youth consumers.

What do they all have in common? Think of keywords such as ladylike, pretty, soft, feminine, elegant. This certainly isn’t p-to-5 dressing. There’s a gentle formality in most of them that’s more summer fete than boardroom coup, more party under the stars than VIP client meeting.

But when teamed with unexpected accessories and a whole load of attitude (as at Coach), the elegance and femininity moves out of the occasionwear section and onto the rails targeting anyone simply looking for a new way to dress come late summer next year.

There’s a retro edge that often nods to the 40s. But don’t think of this as a mere single decade revival. it’s more a mood than a look, a hint rather than a revival.

The materials of choice for the new dresses are sheers (often frilled and/or floral printed), as well as semi-sheers and fluid silks, matte crepes, and that perennial favourite, lace.

Key details include bibs, bows, lace inserts, gentle gathering, soft tiers, a hi-lo crossover hem, ruffles and frills (on shoulders, sleeves, necklines and hems). In other words, forget minimalism and gender-neutral. You simply can’t do the new prettiness if you don't commit 100%.