KEY POINTS:
For those of you with romantic leanings, you can be a great big softie in the latest sprinkling of feminine dresses. While often appearing in dreamy silk satin, chiffon, georgette or organza, these dresses get most of their impact from their billowy full sleeves. There are puffed sleeves
(Chelsea Thorpe and Dice Kayek 2), cape sleeves (Hailwood 1 and Karen Walker 3), balloon sleeves (Catalyst 5, Hailwood), printed sleeves (Cybele 4) and draped sleeves (Alberta Ferretti). Plus on the tailored front, defined pagoda sleeves (on jackets at Yves St Laurent) and sculptured bell sleeves (Balenciaga).
Hem lengths have shot up this season, which can present a few "wearability" problems - especially when they hit mid-thigh. In particular, there are a lot of short tunic shapes around with puff sleeves. Tackle these by teaming them with long boots, leggings or skinny pants. Try to keep your look streamlined from the hip down. This will keep the focus on the sleeves and prevent the whole silhouette from looking too bulky.
For those of you who like to take a long-term approach to fashion, one of next summer's key looks is shaping up to be "romance". So if you head for the lighter, floatier pieces, you are unlikely to be left with a dead duck next season. Sheer fabrics and garments are also making a comeback, as well as garments featuring large circle or spot prints (see Karen Walker 3).
1 Hailwood silk satin dress with cape sleeves ($420) and silk satin bow-tie necklace ($50). Mollini suede long boots with bows on front ($348). Cellini silver leather clutch-bag ($159). Columbine metallic tights ($17.99) from Smith & Caughey's.
2 Dice Kayek shows a tiered dress with puffed sleeves for spring/summer 2008 at Paris Fashion Week.
3 Karen Walker cotton jersey dress with cape sleeves printed with large spots ($195). Columbine tights as above.
4 Cybele phoenix print soft silk organza dress, which comes with its own slip ($449). Emilio Cavallini bronze opaque tights ($38.50). Crochet bobble hat ($39.90) from Lippy.
5 Catalyst printed silk dress with tie-front and full balloon sleeves ($449). Columbine opaque tights ($10) from Smith & Caughey's.
STOCKISTS
CATALYST (09) 837 1001
CELLINI (09) 259 0099
COLUMBINE (06) 867 6819
CYBELE (09) 365 1340
EMILIO CAVALLINI (09) 522 7150
HAILWOOD (09) 360 9931
KAREN WALKER (09) 522 4286
LIPPY (09) 358 1875
MOLLINI (09) 523 4020
SMITH & CAUGHEY (09) 377 4770