Finally summer has arrived. As the balmy rays of the sun warms up the globe, fashion heads in haute chic directions. Now is the time to put away the reliable (yet boring and predictable) black dress and try on something new, flirtatious, and trendy. Here is Fashionlines’ comprehensive list of must have for the children of Apollo.

PRINTS

The winter gloom may be an appropriate reason to gravitate to drab and depressing ensembles, but come June the black, grey, and camel monochromes need to go. Prints are a perfect way to get into the Mediterranean state of mind. There is not exact formulation to selecting the perfect motif for patterns (especially abstract ones like Jonathan Saunders’) are a matter of taste. However, if you put on a few extra pounds over the holidays and have not been able to take them off, steer clear of horizontal stripes.

VOLUME

God rest Cristobal Balenciaga's soul. His architectural approach to the art of clothes-making, recently resurrected by Nicholas Ghesquière, is breathing fresh air onto the international runways dominated by restrained ladylike minimalism for too long. This season revel in the over-the-top theatrics of exaggerated peplum shapes, billowy Louis XIV sleeves and opulent Elizabethan collars. Think big, operatic, and epic.

SHORTS

Shorts had been gathering dust in the moda archives for quite some time now. But, thanks to the need for constant change and global warming, they are back with a vengeance. New breeds of shorts come in a variety of lengths: abbreviated, Bermuda, Capri and everything else in between. If you want to ride this new stylistic wave, just remember one rule of the thumb: leave your Daisy Dukes in the shrouded corners of the closet and invest in something with a contemporary flare.

WHITE LACE

Every year the fashion vanguard coins a color and declares it superior to all others. Thankfully, the glow in the dark green has its turn back in the 80s. This year the reigning queen of pigments is white. Juxtapose the ephemeral beauty of blanc against your sun kissed skin and stand out from the crowd.

WIDE BELTS

If for no other reason YSL's Stefano Pilati deserves credit for nailing the must have look of the summer 6 months ahead of the curve. His chunky yet sleek outsized beauties are adorning the waists of copious fashionistas from Milan to London. To accentuate your curves invest in one immediately.

PLATFORMS

Harking back to the 70s, footwear has trespassed into bold, tall and wedgy territories. If you were wondering: the female species have not had a sudden growth spurt. Instead they have climbed atop impossibly high, but irresistibly chic platforms.

RIBBONS

Designers' obsession with ribbons always makes me think of Tori Amos’ beautiful lyrics, “She's a girl / Rising from a shell / Running to spring / It is her time, it is her time / Watch her run with ribbons undone.” As the song suggests there is something so feminine and delicate about ribbons. This summer, to soften the starkest outfit: clinch the waist with a silk satin ribbon and gather the ends into a bow.

GYPSIES

Gypsies are unlikely heroines smoldering with dark secrets and irresistible sex appeal. Their blood red lips, flamenco skirts, bullions of gold jewelry and bare feet represent unbridled passion. To spice things up, channel Rita Hayworth as Carmen.

ROMAN FLATS

Forget the toga, but Roman flats are back. If you are a tall and slender babe with beautiful feet, this trend is a go. For everybody else, remember that heels are the easiest way to shave off 5 pounds and improve your posture.

PILED ON NECKLACES

The single strand of white pearls is a relic of the past. Unless you are still donning a poofy poodle skirt, forget about it. Pile on the jewelry, for once again more is definitely more.

SKINNY PANTS

Now this is a tricky one. Skinny pants are extremely difficult to pull off because they have a zero tolerance margin for body fat. Read: Recommended only for hanger model types. Sorry voluptuous vixens – but, remember, you still have sole jurisdiction over the cleave department.

Trends come and go. By fall all these fads will be positively passé. So hurry and enjoy these wild-fire items while the flames are burning strong.