Summer 2011 is all about bright bold prints in women’s fashion this year, 70′s glam is back with a bang. The look comprises of big statement leather belts, thigh high boots and hot pants. The 70′s trend can be turned into a sophisticated look with bright fabrics that hang over the body, pay particular attention to silk and ruffled necklines. Of course it is not all about the clothing.

Aside from the 70′s glam look summer 2011 is all about bright bold colours, pinks, blues, greens and corals all take a prominent role using white as a backdrop to really highlight the bold prints. Of course summer would not be complete without your festival wardrobe, so ensure you keep your eyes open for those essential hippy chick pieces that will make you look right at home in the crowds at Glastonbury.

You can take the festival look away from the traditional hippy look to a more sophisticated level by investing in colourful on trend pieces that have hints of India, Morocco or Central America. When selecting items look to mix prints and colours to create an arts and crafts feel, many high street retailers are stocking this summer’s colourful trends so you will have no trouble finding pieces to complete the look.

Jewellery plays an important part in this summer’s wardrobe, accessorising is a key factor to any outfit, pendant necklaces and beads are on trend while the right handbag is also essential. Try opting for sterling silver floral designs such as silver flower necklaces and matching bracelets, for casual looks you can of course go to the other extreme and choose brightly coloured Swarovski crystal necklaces and bracelets to add a 70′s glam sparkle to your outfit.

Silver jewellery will make a fantastic addition to this summer’s key trends, the flexibility of silver allows for the use of colourful semi-precious stones and glittering crystals to create pieces that will really compliment summer trends. Silver bangles will complement the 70′s glam trend while Swarovski crystals will really add to the bright colourful pieces that you will find in most stores this summer.

When shopping for your summer wardrobe you should make sure you pay attention to the accessories you plan on pairing with it, jewellery can be timeless but there is nothing to say it can’t be fashionable as well. Invest in the right key pieces and you will have items that will last you for years while complimenting summer fashion trends time and again.

It can often be a tough decision making process to know what clothes to buy, and which ones you can live without. Don’t front guys, we go through the same dilemma at times.

Some people purchase on impulse, some are sold easily to the aesthetic pleasantries, some wait and splurge during clearance sales, and there the many who are conservative “shopping on a budget” consumers who mull for days in their head before consenting with themselves to buy their desired item.

So how can you know what clothes to buy, and which ones you shouldn’t?

Here are my 5 “Shopping for Clothes Tips” pocket guide which you can fall back on, when determining whether or not that “piece” of clothing on your must-have list will be worth every penny or not. It can’t hurt to be buyers remorse proof.

1. Consider the design aesthetics and ergonomics. A product may look good individually, but when worn, it may take on a different visual appeal. Some products may look good, but when feel the opposite when worn.

Know what color palettes compliment you best. Do the colors fit your skin complexion? The colors you choose should also echo your personality.

Do the fabrics used compensate for the price tag?

2. What’s the lifetime “Practicality Value” of it? Apart from brand equity, the quality usage of material, how often will you wear this piece of clothing? Will you see yourself wearing this only 1-2 times bi-annually? On what occasion will you be rocking this shirt/shoes/blazer/trouser?

Here’s how you can calculate the worth of it in a year.

Divide the cost on the price tag, to 365 (days in year). If a shoes cost $100, that’ll be 27 cents a day you’re paying for the exclusive ownership of the item. Not bad for a shoe deal.

Note: You don’t need to complicate your buying process with this calculative method. It’s just a quick tool to slaughter your indecisiveness.

Also, if you’re the type to “buy into trends”, remember that all things go through a devaluation in price through time. Instead of 365, you want to reduce the number to the estimated window of days you expect this piece of clothing will be “hot” in.

And if you’re buying a “seasonal item”, for example, a jacket, you need to know how long that “winter” in your country lasts on average.

3. Does this piece of clothing or accessory define who you are? Personally, I think you should only invest in clothing that best represent your characteristics. Of course, I’m not saying that you should have a limitation of styles, I definitely encourage you to be experimental. But, we only hang on to this “experimental phase” for so long.

The clothes you wear will usually determine your physical and psychological behavior also. When a guy puts on an expensive designer label button-up (Emporio Armani, Ted Baker), he’s bound to behave more proper, cultured, in control, and suave. When wearing a blank t-shirt, he may feel more outgoing, relaxed.

In addition, you should always “Dress for success”. Invest in new clothes that fit you well, and make you feel good.

Create the image that best reflects who you aspire to be. Dress as you are.

4. Imagine yourself “already having a piece of this clothing at at home, hung neatly in your wardrobe. Now, notice your emotional response. How do you feel? Are you still as excited to hypothetically buy a second piece?

Alternatively, you can imagine fast forwarding to a future scenario where you’ve already paid for the item, and you’re now “wearing it”. How do you feel? Where would you wear it to? Would you return this piece of clothing if the store would reimburse you $10 to return it, under the condition that you no longer will be able to buy that piece of clothing again?

Can you do without the brand? If a shoe design did not have any branding element on it, would you still buy it? This allows you to strip away the brand loyalty effect which often clouds our judgment on the value of a product. Sometimes, we end up buying because of the brand, in which case, you are actually over spending.