Lara Owen

Fashion’s 2026 summer palette is moving away from subdued chocolate brown, burgundy and butter yellow toward more saturated shades. The key trends are turquoise, chartreuse and lime, tangerine orange, lemon yellow, and luminous lavender. Stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor recommends introducing difficult colours through accessories, layering and familiar colour pairings, while celebrity looks and spring/summer runway collections illustrate the shift toward brighter, more expressive dressing.

The bandeau top returns as a major summer trend, updated with structured fabrics and refined designs. Stylist Oriona Robb explains that modern bandeaus offer more engineered support, making them wearable for different body types. She recommends structured styles for fuller busts, cropped or cinched versions for petite figures and longer silhouettes for taller wearers. Daytime styling works best with tailored trousers, blazers or relaxed combinations like balloon pants and linen shirts, paired with elevated accessories. Layering under slip dresses or pinafores offers a less revealing entry point. Proper fit is essential, as overly tight or loose bandeaus disrupt the look, while smart footwear and thoughtful accessories help maintain a polished appearance.

Melanie Sykes’s disclosure of extensive hair loss has renewed focus on alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition explained by trichologist Anabel Kingsley. The disorder occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing sudden, patchy baldness often triggered by stress, illness or hormonal shifts. Symptoms include circular bald patches and distinctive “exclamation mark” hairs. While many cases resolve naturally within months, treatments such as topical minoxidil can help when less than a third of the scalp is affected, though severe cases may require specialist care. Kingsley emphasizes the psychological toll of alopecia, urges early consultation and highlights holistic health, nutrition and vitamin D as supportive factors. Celebrities speaking openly about the condition can help reduce stigma and isolation.