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Pictures from Style.com

I have recently posted on how stripes can be used as an optical illusion to trick the eyes into thinking that you look different and also on the mixing of patterns for spring summer 08. The spring / summer 08 collection from Thakoon combines both of these ideas in one. With bright bold prints teamed with blue and white stripy prints and a variety of different lines, taking the eyes off here there and everywhere. My eyes were so confused they didn’t know where to to look. This is a really interesting look but not one for someone who wants to fade into the background or merge into a crowd. The mixture of patterns and lines is both interesting and rather tiring on the eyes, so perhaps not ideal for the morning after the night before.

In a stark contrast to the business of these outfits, the collection also featured brightly coloured dresses in just one colour. These were nice but not nearly so interesting. If you would like to work this confusing look, then try combining these Emilio Cavallini Striped Capri Leggings with a gorgeous floral print dress.

Stripes are a big trend for spring summer 08. They have been seen everywhere on the catwalk. At first I gave a big sigh, horizontal stripes don’t look great on me. At only 5ft 2 they make me look wider and shorter not something I want to be.

After a bit of consideration, thought and research, I decided stripes are not nearly so bad after all. The optical illusion can also work the other way, so if I wear vertical stripes they make me look longer and thinner like this Aftershock dress with sequin stripes.

This is just what I need. What’s more they are even cleverer than that, they can create shape or curves where you want it. Clever use of diagonal stripes can define a waist and horizontal stripes on the top half can balance out a heavier bottom half or pear shape. The width and contrast of the stripes also affects the intensity of the illusion. If vertical stripes are wide with a high contrast they have a greater slimming effect. I love this Boudoir by Disaya tank dress.

Multi directional stripes on an outfit also add interest as they do on this Boudoir by Disaya dress.