For pink ladies and prom queens; Acid brights, big prints and bold

Sunday Herald, The, Mar 7, 2004 by Compiled by Jane KirkpatrickWords Eva Arrighi

When Ralph Lauren's spring/summer 2004 runway show closed New York fashion week last autumn with an array of rainbow-hued silk column dresses, it just looked weird. Too bright for autumnal eyes to handle. But with successive fashion capitals serving up even bolder colour combinations, it fast became official. Even now, the idea of grappling with sizzling orange seems terrifying, but the two cult dresses of the season are undoubtedly Chloe's leaf green number and Lanvin's bottle green silk sheath. Expect to see both copied to death. Perhaps dipping a toe into the pool of colour that designers are serving up for summer suddenly doesn't look so crazy.

From left to right:

Silk coral crew-neck top with slim waistband, (pounds) 55, Reiss; neon-blue pleated full skirt, (pounds) 55, French Connection; emerald green satin round-toe shoes with ankle strap, (pounds) 44.99, Schuh Canary yellow ruffled silk sleeveless top, (pounds) 45, Ted Baker; emerald green pleated skirt with wide waistband, (pounds) 89, Reiss; orange leather thong sandals, (pounds) 35, Ravel Yellow pleated dress with narrow belt and diamante detailing, (pounds) 80, Ted Baker; turquoise shoes with bow, (pounds) 44.99, Schuh Coral wide V-neck jumper with ribbed arms and waist, (pounds) 75, purple pleated skirt with wide waistband, (pounds) 89, both Reiss; neon yellow ruffled shoes with front bow, (pounds) 49.99, Office Mix it all up was the message being sent out by designers for the upcoming season, and our new-found love of a loud riot is reaching a crescendo this summer. Certainly pattern in all its incarnations is livening up many a wardrobe and, with the optimistic/nostalgic take on the Fifties trend that's so prevalent this season (exemplified by the brilliant Prada catwalk show), there really seems no good reason not to be stepping out in an array of clashing patterns for once you really can't be too bold.

From left to right:

Coral V-neck silk sweater, (pounds) 65, Ted Baker; flower-print camisole with pink lace trim (worn underneath), (pounds) 16, colour mix long scarf, (pounds) 15, both Marks and Spencer; printed turquoise cotton pleated skirt, (pounds) 30, TopShop; pink and red polka dot shoe with frill trim, (pounds) 49.99, Irregular Choice at Schuh Stripy-wrap silk top with waist tie, (pounds) 35, Gharani Strok for Designers at Debenhams; mint green, pleated skirt with circle prints, (pounds) 30, Miss Selfridge; colour mix slingbacks, (pounds) 45, Ravel Black pleated dress with coloured circle prints, (pounds) 35, black pumps with shoe and bag print, (pounds) 30, both TopShop White mac with large black and pink flower prints, (pounds) 75, John Rocha for Designers at Debenhams; black printed silk camisole with waistband, (pounds) 30, Warehouse; black printed linen full skirt with gathering and button detail, (pounds) 30, TopShop; pale colour mix satin round-toe shoes, (pounds) 44.99, Schuh