With forecasts set for a sizzling summer, it's time to pack away the coats and dare to bare those arms in the name of women's designer fashion. Vest tops and tanks will be swooping in over the warmer months waiting to be teamed with skinny's, skirts and shorts for a variety of different looks this spring/summer 2011. A must-have for any wardrobe this and the coming season; progressive designers have added new twists to this women's fashion staple, giving it new life and novel adornments to make less most certainly into more. Standard doesn't mean boring with simple twists like the razor back from H&M, Won Hundred and Acne, longer cuts from Helmut Lang with a dropped hem or Rock & Revival's punchy split back vest top. Rick Owens breathes life back into the classic halter neck, Alice & Olivia demonstrates chic simplicity with their off the shoulder designs and Maison Martin Margiela plays with the elegance of slash necks. Stella McCartney, Edun and J. Crew add texture and quality with their embroidered neck lines also using patterned fabrics to flatter the neckline while A.L.C. plays with front button detail. Further variety comes in the form of material-choice, ranging from the lightweight, silk and sophistication of The Victoria Beckham collection, the shimmering of Joseph's lurex tank tops, Wool and the Gang's hand-made knitted products or the delicate crotchet created by Alexander Wang. Make a statement with bold horizontal stripes from Splendid, Kain, Vivienne Westwood Red Label and Malene Birger's vest top designs; or go for an equally eye-grabbing, graphic top available in bright colours and bold designers by Matthew Williamson, Christian Kane and Something Else by Natalie Wood. Colours in blocks is a season fashion trend demonstrated by Miu Miu, or opt for an animal inspired print top such as Alice by Temperley's zebra striped one or a giraffe motif by Asos.
For similar reasons to the vests and tanks, another essential wardrobe dweller for the coming months will be the t-shirt. From oversized to fitted, the no-longer-humble t is vital for creating a layered look. However, t-shirt's set for this spring and summer are also happy to go it alone with a vast range of motifs, celebrity images, iconic characters and a colour wheel of tones bestowed upon them and ready to pleasantly assault our senses. No matter what your size big or small, tall or short, no matter what your style rock star, glamour puss, cheery prep or girly princess; the new range of vests and tanks on the market this season will allow you to express yourself in ease and style: so turn up the heat this summer.