Easter Sunday Frocks

Submitted by Emily Wassell.

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Easter Sunday Frocks

Even if it doesn't say so on the thermometer, spring is finally here, which hails the start of warmer days (hopefully) and a new fashion season. Easter is always a time to eat chocolate in your Sunday best, so make your Easter weekend fabulous with an on-trend frock, inspired by the catwalk greats and brought to you by the high street.

Ruffles

The soft ruffles at Gucci sparked an entire trend on their own, in flowing silk and hot pink shades. The ruffles run down the sides of the dress, keeping the silhouette chic rather than fussy. On the high street, keep the trend smart with this fuchsia pink body-conscious dress, with a fitted pencil skirt and peplum frill. The soft outlines of the subtle shoulder ruffles are offset by the strong fabric.

If you prefer something more casual, check out H&M’s new Conscious Collection, featuring this cotton dress with sweeping side ruffles. The piece comes in yellow or orange, and the shoulder straps tie behind the neck, highlighting the gem detailing at the neckline.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: dresses by Gucci (£1720), H&M (£19.99) and Dorothy Perkins (£25) featuring ruffles.

Stripes

This season, it's out with the tired Breton lines, and in with thick Italian deck-chair stripes, which had a moment at Dolce and Gabbana. Bright, bold stripes took over everything from swimming costumes to maxi dresses, and the trend was so striking it has already hit the high street. For a feminine zebra look (not an oxymoron, we promise!), check out Warehouse for a fitted shift dress in monochrome stripes. While this look is pretty ubiquitous, the detailing on this dress sets it apart. The panelling makes the waist appear slimmer while the cutaway detailing at the back helps break up the stripes across the shoulders.

For something more beach than boardroom, head to Dorothy Perkins for a blue and white number with a nipped-in waist that ties at the back. The cute cap sleeves and collar-line details add interest to the dress without making it too busy, while the cotton fabric ensures the dress will carry over into summer.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends : striped silk top by Dolce & Gabbana (£405), blue and white stripe dress by Dorothy Perkins (£30) and Warehouse black and white striped dress available at House of Fraser (£60).

Oriental Florals

Prada was the home of the oriental trend this season, showing silk dresses adorned with oriental flowers, along with geisha-style socks and sandals (optional). For something more purse-friendly, Mango has a dual-fabric dropped-hem number that ticks all of the trend boxes. The green, yellow and blue floral scenes have an almost hand-painted quality, while the bright turquoise colour of the back and sleeves make the whole dress pop.

Oasis has a darker take on the trend, with a silk mini-dress featuring a deep-cut v-neckline and slashed sleeves. The ornate pattern is coral- and red-based on a jet black background, and a red leather belt cinches in the waist.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: Mango floral print panel dress (now £17.99), Oasis silk oriental dress (£75) and silk dress from Prada .

Spring Lace

While lace seems to have been around forever, every so often the fashion world introduces a subtle update, and delicate finery has been replaced by heavy detailing in lighter, pastel tones. On the Carven catwalk, the skater dress shape was complemented by coarse, pastel-blue lace and cutaway details. At Oasis, thick coral lace is layered over a nude bodice with a skater-line skirt, cinched in at the waist with a white belt.

For a softer shade, try Next’s straight-cut nude dress. The thick floral lace offers a subtle texture to the dress, and is highlighted on the cropped sleeves and hem for a piece that works just as well at night as it does during the day.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: floral lace dress from Next (£80), Isabelle lace skater from Oasis (£65), and Carven.

Polka Dots

Is there anything more fun than polka dots? This season, we head back to Italian design duo Dolce and Gabbana for inspiration. They put polka dots on everything and everything, but the update is subtle: blue. Black and white Dalmatian spots are out, and royal blue is in. The high street has gone crazy for white polka dots on blue fabric. At New Look, the body-conscious dress features cap sleeves and also gives a nod to the below-the-knee hemline trend rife on all the catwalks. Meanwhile, over at Topshop, the long sleeves and high-cut neckline compensate for the shorter hemline. Whichever you prefer, you can earn your style spots without the Cruella de Vil fur.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: polka dot print mini dress from Dolce & Gabbana (£715), cameo rose blue spot dress from New Look (£12.99), and polka dot bodycon dress from Topshop (£29).

Sheer Panels

Last season’s sheer panels were around the neckline or sleeves, but Stella McCartney set a new precedent for sheer panels at the hem. In either bold block colours or simple monochrome, dresses had an extra sheer white panel running from mid-thigh to mid-calf. For a high street alternative, head to Warehouse for a sleeveless Grecian silhouette, which is updated by sheer chiffon at the hem and open sides, and the fabric gathers around the waist to keep the shape.

Asos ran with a white sleeveless dress with a sheer bodice and hem, with a gathered waist and below-the-knee hemline. The white miniskirt underneath keeps you covered, and the look fits with this season's must-have Geisha shoes.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: WhitePepper chiffon midi dress with sheer top from Asos (£57), jersey lined midi from Warehouse (£48), and a dress from Stella McCartney featuring sheer panels.

Monochrome Chequerboard

While monochrome is major news right now, fashion savvy folk know to add a 60s vibe to stay on trend, and Louis Vuitton did this best. Their iconic chequerboard dresses have been all over the red carpet, and the high street has taken notice. At Asos, the checkerboard dress is based on a 50s prom dress silhouette, but with an incongruous 60s pattern. The checks switch from white to black at the waist and hem to add detail.

New Look has a sleeveless chequerboard dress, with big bold squares and a roll-top neckline. The fitted shape finishes mid-calf and the look is catwalk style at a fraction of the price.

Spring/Summer 2013 fashion trends: dresses from Asos (£55), Louis Vuitton and New Look (£14.99).

With all these in-the-know pieces, your wardrobe and your bank manager will be content.