Fashion's Hippie Trail

This summer, if you want to follow the road to a fashionable season, take the hippie trail. Boho Chic is one of those trends that won't go away and is determined to stay for the coming months. A new footloose and fancy-free marks the summer's carpe diem when it comes to dressing up. Or down.

Even the shows in Milan, Paris and New York seemed to furtively follow the hippie trail. Detours via India and the Far East were evident in the catwalk collections, and summer, according to designers, is all about easy living and comfortable glamour. Wedges are the new heels and you can wear them with cropped trousers and a slinky top for day, or smarten them up for evening with a decorative kaftan wrap-dress or lace-trim skirts and beaded tops.

Mettalics and florals are very much alive this season and delicate flower prints give way to some of summer's prettiest inspiration. The high street is blooming with great prints, so you needn't go overboard on budget. French Connection, Mango and Reiss have some of the strongest ethnic looks if you fancy bright, bold and folksy details.

Summer glorifies a return to relaxed-fashion. Gone are the tweed suits, heavy jumpers and body-hugging clothes. Fashion's cyclical nature has come round to a new freedom where laid-back glamour means easy, feminine pieces. So don't equate boho, with mere frivolity. Tailored prints can look very sexy - and smart - and the layered look is key to understated elegance. Whilst investing in classical pieces is always a good thing, revel in the fun of walking the hippie trail, as next season's fashion will see a return to a more demure nature.