A SCORCHING heatwave, school holidays and Olympic beach volleyball... summer has officially landed.

But if you can't escape to the tropics this year, do the next best thing and wear them!

Fashion has taken inspiration from exotic destinations with photographic prints that look like they've leaped straight from the front of a postcard.

Think sultry sunsets, swaying palm trees and even pink flamingos.

Designers such as Dries Van Noten and Mary Katrantzou set the trend using the deep blue sea, exotic flowers and striking landscapes as lifelike picturesque backdrops.

Let your print take centre stage by keeping the rest of your outfit and accessories low-key.

These colourful pieces are guaranteed to give you that getaway glow wherever you are in the world.

:: HAWAII FIVE-O

Say "aloha" to vivid palm prints with H&M for WaterAid's Hawaiian-inspired print blouse that looks like a retro Polaroid shot, £19.95 (0844 736 9000).

:: HOT PINK

Whether it's infinity pool or paddling pool, make a splash in Marks & Spencer's flamingo and beach print halterneck swimsuit, £35 (0845 302 1234/www.marksandspencer.com).

:: BAY BAG

Picture the scene: overlooking a hotel balcony in Cannes with a glass of something cool. Now you can carry the vision with you toting ASOS's photographic print bag which sports a faded photo print, £20 (www.asos.com).

:: GET WAISTED

Trip to Bognor beach? Kick back and pretend you're on Seychelles sands with Only's tie waist palm tree print top, £19 at House of Fraser (0845 602 1073/www.houseoffraser.co.uk).

:: PRINT PARADE

Get into holiday mode with Miss Selfridge's paradise prints. Play matchy-matchy with the bird print shirt, £50, and skirt, £45, or wear the Hawaiian-print dress, £85 (in-store), to make your lower half picture perfect (0844 984 0263).

:: SCENIC CHIC

Flaunt a holiday tan with a postcard print. Bring back memories every time you look down at your bronzed legs with Love Label's floral printed mini skirt, £14 (www.very.co.uk).

:: CLOUD GAZING

It's not all blue skies and sunshine. Topshop's cloud print cami top captures the vista on a moody monsoon day, £22 (www.topshop.com).

:: SUNDOWNER STYLE

This is a futuristic bikini... French Connection's palm print prepares you for your daily sunset view from the beach; top, £15; bottoms, £15 (0844 557 3285/www.frenchconnection.com).

:: PARADISE FOUND

Sorry Liz Hurley, plain white jeans are o.v.e.r. Mother's paradise print jeans are sure to be a summer talking point - at home or away, £168 (www.farfetch.com).

:: SEEING DOUBLE

Mirror prints are a big trend right now. Bask in the reflection of Matalan's Be Beau tropical print t-shirt featuring waterfall, palm leaves and hibiscus, £7 (0845 330 3330/www.matalan.co.uk).

GET THE LOOK

Actress Charlize Theron has the room on red alert with her strapless peplum dress. Be a frill seeker with Topshop's red scuba dress, £48, available in tall or petite (www.topshop.com).

BUY IT NOW

Myleene is adding a touch of Klass to Littlewoods. The presenter and pianist is launching her own clothing range, designed to suit busy mums who want some glamour. Prices range from £30 to £150, available now (0844 822 8000/www.littlewoods.com).