Sizzling styles for summer

Denim and bold, bright colour will be hugely popular in women’s fashion this summer, according to Orange Sherbet’s Katie Naprasnik.

Katie modelled some of the latest looks for us at Bullocky Rest recently to show how the styles are a perfect fit for our Moreton Bay lifestyle.

She says there are a few must-haves that will instantly update a summer wardrobe, including a denim maxi skirt, denim dress and a ‘feature dress’ with plenty of colour.

“A real wow piece, something that’s comfortable that you know is an easy throw on but it’s a dress that’s going to make you feel amazing every time you wear it and you don’t have to overthink it,” Katie explains.

“You could have sandals on with it for a family barbecue for Christmas or you could pop a pair of heels on and wear it out for a party or something special.”

Step outside your comfort zone

Bold colour and patterns will be a fashion feature this summer – for those who have always worn bright colours and those who have grown to love them.

“Red dresses, bright green dresses … people are embracing it and I think people are not hiding behind their clothing as much anymore,” Katie explains.

“Customers are becoming more comfortable within themselves, regardless of size or age. Women are embracing new styles, shapes and colours which is great to see.”

There will be plenty of pink, thanks the popular Barbie movie, red and blue, but also browns and neutral tones that can be easily paired with other items you already have in your wardrobe.

She says social media influencers have inspired women to step outside their comfort zones when it comes to colour.

Versatile and striking sets and lounge suits will be popular this season, giving women the option to wear the complete ensemble or mix and match.

’70s influence

“Matching pants and tops which are quite bold and bright and look fabulous. You’re able to wear it a few different ways … you can wear your shirt with jeans or shorts, you can wear it as a set.

“With the economy at the moment, you’re not spending as much on a clothing item, and you can make that purchase work harder by wearing it a few different ways. You can dress it up or make it more casual.”

Puffy sleeves are very popular this summer, predominantly on dresses but also as a feature on tops.

Katie says patterns and colours this season have a 1970s influence, with a ‘Brady Bunch’ vibe.

“We are noticing that come through our gift lines and homewares as well,” she says.

“The geo trend is still very strong, as it was last year, but I would say it’s probably a little more monochrome – the two colours – instead of it being a geo print with lots of different colours.”

Coastal vibes

She says big, bold floral patterns are very popular with her customers rather than small floral prints. Checks are also back.

“It’s very coastal. It’s giving Amalfi coast vibes. I like to joke, if you can’t go to Europe, we can at least dress like we are,” Katie says.

“Cute bags are definitely the big trend … a bit of a feature, quirky, cute bag is an easy way to update an outfit and add a little fun to it without committing to the full outfit.

“They are also popular in different textures – canvas and leather – having two different materials mixed together to create a feature has been strong to make it fun.”

Donning denim

Katie says the big trend for summer is denim.

“It’s denim sets together – a denim shirt with denim shorts – and it’s full denim dresses. We have them in a nice icewash, but we also have them in dark denim with feature stitching. The denim dress is probably one of the biggest trends for summer,” she says.

These are available in a range of styles from puffy sleeved dresses to more straight-line styles – most have collars, sleeves, and buttons down the front. They vary in length from mid-thigh to ¾ length.

“They’re very easy. Once you have them on, you don’t have to do much more than put a pair of shoes on. The dress is the feature and says it all,” Katie says.

“I think that’s a big thing with fashion – you need to feel comfortable in it. There is nothing worse than someone choose something just because it’s trendy and then they don’t feel comfortable in it because that’s going to show.”

Secret to success

Orange Sherbet has continued to evolve since Katie opened the fashion boutique as a 16-year-old in 2006.

She says it’s the reason the business has been so successful – focusing on taking it in the direction determined by customers’ needs and the economic climate.

When COVID-19 shut down the economy and traditional retail shopping, Katie’s team ramped up Orange Sherbet’s online business, which subsequently boomed.

Conditions have now eased and shoppers are returning to bricks and mortar stores in droves.

Special experience

“We’ve pivoted again … we’re still concentrating on online, but really concentrating on that in-store experience when we can connect with our customers,” Katie explains.

“It’s what we offer … it’s not just purchasing something. They get an experience and they get service when they shop with us.”

Orange Sherbet reopened its new-look flagship store at Redcliffe in August last year and has since opened two more – one at Carindale in November last year and a third at the Sunshine Coast’s Kawana Shopping World in November this year.

Plans to expand

“We are looking at other stores throughout the country because we would love to connect with our customers. That’s why we have been so successful, I think, because we are able to listen and really connect here. We’re able to give them beautiful service which is lacking in retail … we hear that daily,” Katie says.

“We want to make all women feel beautiful, wonderful and empowered.”

The team at Orange Sherbet feels so strongly about this philosophy they have partnered with the charity Share the Dignity, which provides personal hygiene essentials to women and girls in need.

Katie says this is the fourth year Orange Sherbet has sold a ‘Dignity range’ to raise money for the cause.

“This year, we stuck with one of our best-selling shapes which is the hot-pink Shannon dress. We’ll be donating $10,000 from sales from that dress to Share the Dignity,” she says.

“We do more than just sell the dress. We really connected with them. We go to their Digniteas (events), and team members from all departments went over there to fill bags to send off to different charities throughout Australia.”

Community connections

Katie says her team is passionate about meeting the needs of their customers and connecting with the community.

It’s a passion that drives every decision, including a move to further extend their size range to make it accessible to more women.

Orange Sherbet is in the process of offering styles in sizes 6-28. It has previously stocked sizes 6-24.

Find out more at orangesherbet.com.au, or visit the store at 1/113 Redcliffe Pde, Redcliffe.