Main featured image L-R: Jil Sander, Tory Burch, Jil Sander.

Relax, ladies, this is a cape-free zone! No matter what frankly startling trends appear on the catwalk – this season Superwoman capes and tiny mini-skirts with voluminous trains stand out – THE GLOSS edit will always be grounded in what we are actually going wear. So this week I am focusing on nine easily adopted trends, starting with statement stripes.

Whether vertical or horizontal, toothpaste-thick or pencil-thin, stripes are a girl’s best friend now. In a season saturated with rainbow colour, we are reaching for the brightest and most eye-catching we can find, in dresses, shirts and lightweight knitwear.

L-R: Tory Burch, Kenneth Ize, Max Mara.

Stripes look good on just about anyone, if you choose the style that suits your body shape. Bigger bust or apple-shaped? Stick to this rule of thumb: ten per cent of the darker colour and 90 per cent of the lighter. Are you petite? Thin stripes look good on little women.

Display your fashion credentials by wearing stripes head to toe. Temper the trend with coloured heels and statement jewellery for the evening, dressing down for day with denim, a blazer and flats.

Shop the look below to introduce the trend to your wardrobe … 

Red Gabrielle dress, €535, at LK Bennett, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16.

Blue monogram silk pussy-bow blouse, Burberry, €1,090, at Brown Thomas.

Red embroidered maxi shirt dress, Parosh, €575, at Samui, 17 Drawbridge Street, Cork.

Blue and red puff-sleeve shirt, Mint Velvet, €99, at Mint Velvet, Dundrum Town Centre.

Black and white striped light wool scarf, €49, at & Other Stories.

Navy striped shirt, €69.95, at Massimo Dutti.