This summer it's all about ice cream shades: look out for soft mint, candyfloss pink and sherbet lemon in retro dresses and 60s accessories.

Saturated jewel tones give way to a colour palette with a distinctly ‘iced’ feel, with sorbet-style candy colours combining to create a colourful palette that’s light, soft and cool in whispery layers for summer.

Each colour on its own may seem soft and less striking, shades that are usually used as accents or accessories, but these ice cream pastels have as much impact alone as they do together. Ultra-light layers of chiffon and silk can be complemented with satin textures to give this colour scheme a little more range.  

Take mint green with just a hint of grey, velvety lilac, crisp white and soft lemon for a fun, femme colour range that’s as cool as it gets this summer. You can wear this colour palette in anything: from mint green denims to baby blue maxi-dresses.

The trend becomes playful when paired with the different texture, print and trim options available this season. Waxed textures in denims and stiff peplum styles give this look a little substance and the colours a little extra depth, paired with the lighter layers of silk and satin.

Image credit: Simon Deiner Photography/SDR Photo/Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week 2012/Tart | Kluk CGdT | Gavin Rajah | Stefania Morland | Leigh Schubert