Summer knits: the trend that brings winter into the warmer months.

Yes, cable knits and their cousins are a staple of the winter months. But S/S '12 has plenty of trends where winter pieces become summer pieces, and knits are no different. After the break we take you through the trend, with examples of how you can enjoy a stylis (but irregular) summer.

8 styles of shoes to make a statement out of summer

Perspex heel

It’s the shoe that reveals all, and what better season for it than summer? The perspex / clear heel shoe is one of the boldest, most telltale shoe styles this season (make sure you book in for a pedicure). No secrets here, as a panel of plastic-type transparent material settles around the toes or stands tall as the heel. This almost-invisible footwear gives an alternative edge to an outfit, especially when styled with leg-baring trends of the season.

Wrapped up

Ornamenting an above-the-knee dress, the ankle-hugging footwear promises to add a sensual twist to the leg show. Adding sex appeal to an outfit, this style of shoe wraps around the ankle, but not in a winter ankle-boots manner. It’s a summer style that provides extensive support to the feet. The ankle can be dressed up in various forms such as, an ankle strap, crossover paneling or laced up gladiatorial-style.

Metal toe cap

Not only would it make you feel like Kate Moss upon Louis Vuitton’s carousel-themed spring / summer 2012 show, but a metal toe capped shoe has the potential of adding a futuristic tone to an ensemble. It’s a subdued take on the metallic trend for spring, but done in clever and sleek style. Mostly seen on a pointed-toe, pump style shoe, the metal cap has a chic sheen that definitely preps up a boring court shoe.

Neon hues

Without blinding anyone or feeling as though you’re in a laser show, the electric colours are on high-rotation this season. If not through clothes, at least inject these bright shades via shoes into your wardrobe. The high-voltage florescent colours to look out for are yellow, pink, green and orange. In need of happy feet, anyone?

Tribal

What’s a summer without an overused passport? Channel your modern nomad by adding textured and printed tribal shoes to your wardrobe. The tribal trend comprises of a rich, earthy colour palette and intricate African-inspired detailing, however, with shoes, it’s usually translated into being more geometrical and directional. Team tribal-inspired shoes with low-key clothes, as this would highlight the wild accessory sitting pretty on your feet.

Flower power

Why limit this predictable spring / summer print to the clothes, when you can dress your feet with fresh blooms and petals? This shoe has the power to be tagged as the go-to accessory for this season, as it incapable of disappointing you with its ability to flower over your attire.

White shoes

The colour white owes a lot to the summer season, as it’s the heat that essentially brings out the cooling element of the shade. This season, as with all others before it, the colour is working itself through wardrobes, making white shoes one of the statements of spring / summer 2012. If you’re going to give the alabaster-tone shoes a go this season, make sure you pay extra attention to the material you’re investing in; leather or snakeskin are most durable options.

Pencil heels

Contrary to the chunky variety, the pencil heels are self-explanatory in many ways. It’s emerged out of the classroom and into the shoe closet with its sky-high length and sexy silhouette. The pencil heel is mostly a shiny metal, giving you leeway to pick the colours and style for the rest of the shoe. From ankle-strap sandals to spring boots, a pencil heel would punk up any shoe style.

This unconventional heel instantly updates your wardrobe to being more modern and sharp. This heel means business and if that’s what your spring wardrobe is aiming towards go crazy with this shoe style.

Out of Sight

New mirrored shades to unleash your inner cop, lifeguard, or cyberpunk.

Plunging neckline: making the statement this summer

Traditionally it hasn’t been for everyone. There are, after all, inherent risks with a plunging neckline. Some have been dangers of an aesthetic nature, where as others can concern a girl’s modesty. That changes for summer 2012’s fashions – the plunging neckline expands and has options for all, from the sultry to the sporty.

Forever Trendy: Lace

Lace is a fabric that will never go out of style. It’s versatile and unique nature make for an ever-evolving look that continues to transform the fashion world. This material can take a casual outfit and create a chic going out look, it can make for a perfect daytime ensemble. It can also put the edge in a simple piece. Here at aminamichele.com we’ve picked out some of our favorite lace looks to keep the classic in summer trends!
Starting from the bottom, these girly heels are the perfect way to dress up a pair of jeans or a simple dress. Not one pattern is exactly the same, which will make your outfit one-of-a-kind! 
Available at most department stores, stockings have always been made in different colors and designs. The black lace really puts a chic elegance in going to work or nighttime clothing.
These modern shorts scream summer! The high-wasted aspect is a modern touch to a delicate look that will never be dated. Whether you’re headed to the beach, shopping, or grabbing some lunch, these bottoms will flourish!
This design puts the pretty in any occasion. Suitable for all ages, this look isn’t too gaudy or over the top but rather simple and dainty. The little pearls add to the intricate detail within every nail.

The pairing of this lace shirt and royal blue blazer are ideal for a nice day or laid-back date. If you don’t have time to change between work and dinner, this shirt can fit both activities; its the lace. Red lace evokes a sexy and young feel into any outfit, especially a dress. The contrast between your skin and the transparency of the fabric draws a wide range of people into wearing this type of clothing. Whether you find these beautiful combinations on the red carpet or out dancing, it suits everyone

If you’re in the market for a modern look with a classic feel that will never go out of style, lace is the way to go. It’s detail and unique design make it wearable for all occasions. This fabric is timeless!

Coco Chanel once said, “I consider lace to be one of the prettiest imitations ever made of the fantasy of nature; lace always evokes for me those incomparable designs which the branches and leaves of trees embroider across the sky, and I do not think that any invention of the human spirit could have a more graceful or precise origin.”

High dress

longer just the realm of red carpets and runways, the floor-length gown that bares 

leg is another piece to get reinvented for spring 2012. Though the eveningwear 

examples still abound, we can now also march our high dress slits straight onto 

the pavement in the bright light of day - and with effortless ease. Read on to find 

out how.

In 2010 the maxidress slit to the thigh burst onto the scene as a backlash to the micro-minis that were dominating the bodycon-obsessed fashion world. But they didn’t stray too far from that style, being themselves sleek, figure-hugging cuts with va-va-voom sex appeal, destined mostly for the red carpet. In 2012 things are vastly different in the floor-length dress world.

O.P.I holland spring 2012

The Spring season is here and it is a great time to spruce up your wardrobe and accessorize with some color. Just in time, OPI has released its Spring 2012 Holland 

Collection and these great shades provide an excellent and fun way to add a little color to your life.

Ruffled bikini / ruffled swimsuit

Perhaps it’s the inspiration of vintage swimwear on 2011 and 2012, or it’s just the need for women to find a distinct, feminine way for their swimsuits standout by the pool and at the beach, either way: ruffled bikinisand ruffled swimsuits are one of the swimwear trends for the coming season.

And the fact that ruffled swimwear is an on-trend style at the moment is just about where the rules for the trend end. Unlike vintage swimwear or even one-shouldered bikinis, ruffled swimwear has no distinct style ‘rules’. Instead we’ve seen it styled and cut in a lot of different ways for spring / summer 2011 and 2012, often working alongside other one piece and bikini trends for the year.

bangs.

Carelessly brushing the eyes, it's the fringe that makes you look like you've perpetually just rolled out of bed after a big night out. Back for 2012, thick, grungy bangs are one key way of styling a fringe this year. We look at how it's being worn both in the music and fashion worlds, as well as how the effortlessly-cool are rocking it on the street.

The cut and how to wear it

There’s not a lot of rules or fussiness associate with a grungy fringe hairstyle – and that’s precisely the point. But if you do want to go and ask your hairdresser for the cut, here are some things to bare in mind:

• This style works best if your hair is straight, or a bit wavy. Slight waves can add to the tousle of the look, but anything more will require regular straightening, so only make the cut if you’re prepared to spend time styling it.
• The thicker the bangs the better. If your hair is thin consider that the fringe will have to be quite deep (i.e. start from far back on the crown) in order to achieve thickness.
• Don’t go for wispy layers – as with bangs generally in 2012, a blunt cut is best.
• Length-wise you want below the eyebrows or just sweeping the eyes.
• The rest of the hair can be bobbed or long – the key is just to keep it relatively straight but tousled.
• Use a texturising product to get that messy effect even on cleanly washed hair.
• For a styling variation messily curtain the hair from the centre sweeping out.