One of the best things about this time of year is the shops filling up with the new season’s clothes and accessories. Best of all for us in Southwest Florida, we don’t have to wait until we’ve stopped shoveling snow and the sidewalks unfreeze—we can love them and wear them now! The spring collections are always particularly welcome as fresh new color combinations awaken us from our winter hibernation.
That said, this year’s color trends are not for the fainthearted! With pimento, tangerine, hot pink, citron yellow and sodalite blue all vying for attention, here’s how to look current without resembling a walking paint chip chart.
Don’t be afraid of color: We’re not talking about wearing one strong hue from head to toe; even the most confident individual would find that challenging. In fact, vibrant color can be much more effective when used in small doses, so use it as an accent by teaming a punchy purse, shoes or belt with a neutral palette. (Burberry’s trench coat and yellow belt illustrate this perfectly.)
Go with your instincts: If you’re willing to try a color that you’ve never worn before, choose a brighter hue in a palette that you already know works well for you. Or, find something that incorporates your favorite color with a contrast—for example, Kate Spade’s whimsical orange purse with bright pink trim and fastener.
Blessed as we are with wonderful weather here, when it rains, it really rains—a sure way to ruin delicate leather soled shoes. J.Crew’s fabulous “Rainy Day” flats come in a selection of colors that are sure to make a splash by keeping your feet happy and putting a smile on your face!
Fashion expert Cheryl Lampard is the founder of Style Matters International, www.stylemattersinternational.com