Peach is a strong fashion trend for summer, and there's a shade to suit everyone, writes DEIRDRE MCQUILLAN

TRADITIONALLY A mother-of-the-bride or old school lingerie shade, peach has burst into a ripe, juicy fashion colour for summer, part of the pastel trend now taking off with the long awaited sunshine. Designers such as Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen and Giambattista Valli have whipped up interest on the catwalk in the new nude hues like peach and pale pink, often layering one on the other.

On the high street, French Connection has little print tops and jackets in peach, and River Island’s newly-arrived flighty, baby doll-style dresses are made up of layers of strawberry, peach and cream, a delicious and sweet combination both in food and in fashion. It’s a feminine colour reinforced in soft lightweight fabrics such as silk, chiffon or tulle, and perfect for high summer.

Chanel’s Resort 2013 set the tone at the recent lavish show in Versailles, showing pretty panniered skirts suits in peachy textured tweeds. Models sported hairstyles dyed in matching tones, creating a lighthearted air of fun and frivolity.

Team it with mint, with grey, or even an inky navy, or with accessories in white, grey or tan as contrast accents. Conventional sartorial wisdom is that paler complexions suit darker neutrals while darker skins can wear the paler tones. Peach works well with other washed out shades for bright summer days in the city.