Fashion forecasting services are used throughout the fashion industry to peek into a crystal ball and see what may lie ahead, a little secret that the rest of the world usually knows very little about. As a fashion student, the moment you get the password to Doneger and Fashion Snoops, you feel like you’ve seen something you shouldn’t have, almost like you’ve walked in on something top-secret. This isn’t to say that fashion forecasting services are always right, but most of the time, they really are on to something. It’s always fun to browse the beautifully presented and fully realized inspiration boards and color stories, especially for the Spring/Summer season. A prediction that really stood out to me was a concept Doneger has dubbed “La Dolce Vita”, a stunning story of summers by the Mediterranean seaside, illustrated through Roman Holiday-esque silhouettes, breezy materials, and earthy neutrals accented with seaside brights. Everything seems a touch vintage, with a romantic, elegant, and effortless feel.

For womenswear, the forecast calls for sunny awning stripes, flirty florals, midi-length skirts, and a scarcity of pants. If there MUST be pants, they are breezy and cinched at the waist, made of linen or silk. The menswear forecast hearkens back to 1940s-1950s resort wear, with airy textiles in desert hues, mixing utilitarian pieces with classically Mediterranean stripes. The majority of the retro emphasis will be seen in the swimwear, which could easily be envisioned on Sophia Loren or Audrey Hepburn.

I felt especially inspired by this trend because I’d spotted it already on three influencers that I really admire. This trend story immediately reminded me of a model I’ve been following on Instagram for quite some time, Bonnie Strange. Bonnie’s style has such a mid-century Hollywood feel, which she expresses through her beautifully shot, film-like Instagram photos. She’s also currently pregnant and I don’t think I’ve ever seen maternity style done quite like this. (via instagram)

The next two bloggers who pull this trend off so well are Devin Brugman and Natasha Oakley, swimwear models and co-founders of Monday Swimwear, a growing swim and activewear brand. While shooting for their Resort 2018 campaign, Dev and Tash traveled to Positano, Italy, a total inspiration for this story. I love how wherever they go, they embody the aesthetic of their surroundings through their clothes, and while mimicking the Mediterranean beauty of the Amalfi Coast, they really nailed La Dolce Vita. Below, Tash wears a sunny yellow jumpsuit while Dev wears an off-the-shoulder red dress, and Tash wears a gingham one-piece with cat eye sunglasses. (via instagram)

I see this trend really taking off, especially for vacation wear, because it evokes such elegance while still being easygoing and effortlessly chic. The colors are ideal for summer, the brights popping on tan skin, and the vintage elements assist the trend in reaching several age demographics. While trends are meant to only stick around for a little while, I can see certain pieces and silhouettes from the Dolce Vita look sticking around in summer wardrobes for years to come.