Retro inspired fashion for summer 2018: How to dress in 50s summer outfits in SS18 trends

For a modern take on 50s style choose silhouettes to show off and flatter your figure; a-line skirts, tie detail shirts and high waisted shorts are all winners.

The high st is awash with florals and bold prints; here we show you how to mix n match them with soft pastels for stylish on-trend summer looks.

Go bold with your accessories with floral headscarfs, cat-eye sunglasses and box clutch bags to give a real retro vibe.

A cotton printed tea dress like this one from Joules is perfect for summer time chic, the gingham and floral design with cut away sleeves and waist tie detail is ultra flattering as it draws in nicely at the waist.

The soft cotton will keep you cool throughout the summer months and will look great layered with a knitted cardigan for breezy evenings.

Simple satin slider sandals complete the look perfectly bringing in the soft pink from the dress.

Kelly Brooke is an avid cyclist and often favours a tea dress when riding her vintage style wheels.

Model wears: Dress, £79.75, Joules; Sliders, £39, Faith at Debenhams; Fern bike, £495, Raleigh

Blush is the perfect colour for summer dressing; this stunning Ulla Johnson dress will take you from day to night in an instant.

The soft ruffle sleeves and nipped in waist creates a gorgeous silhouette, the skirt drapes beautifully finishing gracefully just below the knee.

Adding a statement earring in the same shade of pink will create a totally luxe finish to the look.

Model wears: Blush dress, £550, Ulla Johnson at Iris Fashion; Earrings, £7.99, Stradivarius

This look is all about ease; the strong yellow tone is easy to team together with other pieces in the same palette. The pretty floral top by Sosanda is slightly longer so perfect for a layering over trousers.

Cropped, wide-leg trousers are the shape of the season, this colourful style from Topshop are super flattering and perfect for adding a splash of colour to your look.

Accessories in the same shade are a must, Office have an array of shoes to compliment every outfit this season, these suede sling-backs will be a great addition to your summer wardrobe. Grecian style drop earrings from Soru Jewellery complete the look.

Amal Clooney also looks amazing in canary yellow as we saw at the recent royal wedding; she also chose matching accessories for a totally coordinated look. Don’t worry if you’re not naturally sun-kissed, this colour is also perfect on pale skin tones.

Model wears: Top, £45, Sosandar; Crop trousers, £40, Topshop; Sling-back heels, £66, Office; Agate flower earrings, £57, Soru Jewellery

Channel your inner Grecian goddess in a simple wrap sundress. This gorgeous design by Sessun made from soft cotton, will keep you cool and fresh on a hot summers day.

The low back with crossover detail creates a relaxed boho feel; finish the look with over-sized beaded hoop earrings and a floral headscarf.

Model wears: Sundress, £165, Sessun at Iris; Headscarf, £7.99; Hoop earrings, £7.99, both Stradivarius

For lazy strolls in the countryside, this lightweight ditsy floral day-dress is the perfect item of clothing. It’s nipped in at the waist so creates a flattering shape, without being too structured.

For cooler days, this versatile dress would work well to be worn open as shirt-dress layered over jeans and a plain t-shirt.

Model wears: Blue floral dress, £24.90, Uniqlo; Fern bike, £495, Raleigh

For a true retro revival, mix up your pastel shades for a 50s style statement.

The tie front shirt with over-sized sleeves from River Island is the perfect lemony hue to compliment the soft pink of the high-waisted shorts with cute button detailing from Topshop.

Break up the sugar sweet pastels with a pretty denim bralet worn underneath, which helps pull the whole look together.

Retro inspired accessories are key to this look, this cute pink embroidered box clutch from Mayra Fedane and cat-eye tortoise shell sunglasses from Black Eyewear really steal the show.

Katy Perry is a huge fan of 50s styling, she’s often seen in vintage-esque body sculpting pieces showing off her amazing hourglass figure.

Model wears: Tie front shirt, £26, River Island; Denim bralet, £14.99, Bershka; High-waisted shorts, £39, Topshop; Embroidered bag, £700, Mayra Fedane; Sunglasses, £177, Black Eyewear

Double up your florals for a bold summer style. This pretty embroidered knit from M&S is the ideal piece for versatile styling. Here we have teamed it with silky floral trousers, but this would look great with jeans or plain chinos for a simple daytime look.

Again with a nod to the 50s, we’ve tied a floral headscarf in a bow to finish off the cute vintage styling.

Model wears: Top, £35; Trousers, £27.50, both Marks & Spencer; Headscarf, £7.99, Stradivarius

Photographer: Alex James

Photographers Assistant: Stefan Clarke

Stylist: Kate Barbour

Hair and make-up: Caroline Piasecki using Institut Esthederm and Morocconoil

Shot on location at Bruern Cottages (01993 830415, bruern-holiday-cottages.co.uk), a collection of five-star self-catering holiday cottages in the heart of the Cotswolds. They are quintessentially English and offer guests a true home-from-home feel in the lap of luxury. Uniquely for holiday homes, guests can stay for a single night or up to eight weeks.

Stockist details:

Bershka – bershka.com/gb

Black Eyewear – blackeyewear.com

Debenhams – debenhams.com

Iris Fashion – irisfashion.co.uk

Joules – joules.com

Marks & Spencer – marksandspencer.com

Mayra Fedane – mayrafedane.com

Office – office.co.uk

River Island – riverisland.com

Releigh – Raleigh.co.uk

Soru jewellery – sorujewellery.com

Sosandar – sosandar.com

Stradivarius – stradivarius.com/gb

Topshop – topshop.com