When I think of spring and summer, I think of beautiful gardens, lush foliage and flowers that dot the grass. I think of brightly coloured balloons and vibrant landscapes. Women in pinks, blues and yellows. Khaki-coloured safari shorts and flashy purses. Nautical or tea party-styled outfits.

Isn't it weird that the majority of the clothes for spring/summer 2011 are everything but the standard sweetness?

The bland colours that we've been seeing in past seasons are going to transition into summer. Fashion-lovers are definitely going to want to be paying attention to retail stores. A lot of winter colours have been showcased in fall, and now would be a great time to stock up on items that soon go on sale as winter winds down.

So what are the key things to look out for this summer?

1. Accented neutrals
Accented neutrals are something that everyone needs to master. It's a look that says calm and classy, with a dash of spice. It's a way of dressing to a level that we're comfortable with but throwing in a splash of colour adds interest to the outfit. The best way integrating this type of colour palette into our wardrobes is to start with accessories.

Accessories require little commitment and can be taken off if we decide that halfway through the day we don't like it. One of my favourite ways to do this is belts and scarves. Belts and scarves are a no-commitment way of trying out different colour palettes against the skin tone. They're inexpensive items to add to outfits to grab attention. My favourite combinations for the upcoming seasons are camel and red, and black and purple. Give 'em a try!

2. Sheer, not slutty
An up-and-coming trend that's been happening is peek-a-boo bras underneath lace and sheer tops. When revealing lingerie, it has to be tasteful. If you're going to do it, make sure that you aren't revealing an excessive amount of cleavage at the same time. The best way to incorporate this trend into everyday wear is to create a balance between feminine and masculine. Wearing a cropped pant with a tucked lace top and a peek-a-boo bra in a matching colour with oxfords is very cute. It also creates a great balance between fabrics that are form-fitting and ones that sit away from the body. The sheer tops have a little bit more freedom to them as long as they fit you loosely. With sheer tops, make sure not to wear a bra that stands out more than the colour of the top — no white, red or pink. Remember, these tops are supposed to add intrigue, they're supposed to make us wonder what's underneath. We should be pleasantly surprised with what we're seeing — don't give it all away at once, ladies.

3. Girly with an edge
This might be one of my favourite trends for the season! Punk rock feminine is a very important style genre. Taking a girly look and adding elements of girl-gone-bad is so sexy. Mixing the two shows a little bit of risk in your personality, and having more than one look adds drama. Depending on your personality, it's always best to lead with one of the looks, either dress femininely and then add your punk rock twist or dress punk rock and add girly touches to your outfit. With this seasonal trend, it's great to amp it up with the clothing and not just the extras. Wearing a light pink lace camisole under a plunging black vneck, liquid leggings, pink flats and a mixture of silver jewelry is a great way to integrate both looks. I personally will be taking my own fabulous advice this season and trying these trends because I know that they're too hot to miss out on!