Spring has officially arrived, and it’s time to salute the warmer temperatures by donning some bright and sunny colours.
Forget grey, brown and black — this is the season to trade in that uninspiring winter wardrobe for a taste of the rainbow.
Vibrant jewel tones are the must-have colours for this season, said Donita Beaulieu, owner of Ginger Laurier boutique in Olde Towne Okotoks.
“Electric peacock blue is really big right now,” said Beaulieu. “We also have a lot of purples, golden yellows and rosy pinks.”
But pulling off a shocking bright colour isn’t always easy. Two local fashion gurus offer their foolproof tricks on how to make spring’s hottest trend work.
Keep it balanced
Investing in this trend doesn’t have to mean head-to-toe neon yellow, said Susan LeBlanc, owner of Coco Rouge Boutique in Okotoks.
The key is to always balance out a vivid colour with a neutral base, she said.
“Neutral on the bottom also tends to be more slimming,” LeBlanc added.
Beaulieu recommended khaki green or khaki brown as a stylish neutral colour for this season.
“I’m a big fan of this khaki that’s in right now,” she said. “Anyone can wear them. It’s the nicest shade to wear with bright colours.”
Investing in neutrals, which can be carried from season to season, also means you only need a couple of shirts or accessories in vibrant colours come spring, said LeBlanc.
“Your dollar is going way further because a neutral can go with anything,” said LeBlanc. “It’s just an inexpensive way to be on top of fashion, and you’re only bringing in bits and pieces of what’s in that season.”
Break it up
Beaulieu’s fail-safe tip for pulling off a bright colour is using a neutral scarf to break up the colour between the skin and clothing.
“I call it ‘neck jewelry’ because it’s a nice addition to any outfit,” she said. “When someone has a bright colour against their skin, if it’s too harsh then a scarf is a great way to soften it up.”
Starting slow is also a great way to incorporate pops of colour if you rarely break out of your monochromatic palette, Beaulieu added.
“Just try an accent in a single bright colour, like a brooch, at first,” she said.
A brightly coloured shoe is another way to add a flash of colour to an otherwise neutral outfit, said LeBlanc.
Own the look
If your idea of bright is navy blue, you’d best steer clear of this trend. This is not a look for the meek and mild, said Beaulieu.
“Confidence is key in not being afraid to wear bright colours,” Beaulieu said.
Unsure whether a shocking shade will look good on you? Beaulieu recommended at least trying it on.
“A lot of the time people are pleasantly surprised when they see they can pull off that look,” she said. “Sometimes people just need permission.”
