Be Bold, Be Bright!

Zoe Saldana and Prabal Gurung
Photo by Elizabeth Lippman 

There is no escaping it really, the brights I mean.  Nearly every runway collection, retail site and blogger focus has hit the brights, even down to nail color --
"orange, it's obvious" is my favorite color from Essie's latest collection.  For those of us that dress conservatively (at least most of the time) at work, a pop of color seems to be a way to add fun to an otherwise lackluster navy suit.  I don't know how I feel however, about bright and sometimes neon creeping into a full-on trend (hence my subtle sarcasm at the start)!  And let's face it, there are only a handful of colors that can really pop, so if everyone at the office follows trend, there will be a good chance that we'll all show up looking like a crayon box gone very wrong.

DVF
Photo by Kevin Tachman for Vogue.com

This trend takes a bit of tact and with some careful accessorizing -- 'um shoes and top, but not shoes, top, belt and headband!  Ok, so I am stating the obvious, but I know many who need this serious direction!  Unless you are 5'11 and clearly fashion is part of your vocabulary because you are a model, then don't try to pull off head to toe brights.  Frankly, this holds true for nearly every trend. Too much of a good thing can go very wrong!

Color blocking is another great way to wear a bright and sometimes two.  Color blocking can be tricky though so it is always easiest to buy the actual item already color blocked so you don't end up with them working against each other.

Banana Republic

You cannot go wrong with a great, bright accessory.  Ann Taylor, J. Crew and other retailers are selling beautiful clutches or ballet flats which can really do wonders for a pair of jeans.  I am loving bright colorful belts right now as well.  Banana Republic has shiny lizard belts in a great array of colors.  At $34.50, a couple of these beauties can spark up any outfit.

Ann Taylor

I love the cropped pants at Ann Taylor.  In fact, I love Ann Taylor a lot right now and they've done a fabulous job with their website.  When you can see many looks, it makes it a whole lot easier to shop and avoid fashion faux pas, period.  Click to "Must Have Looks" which feature bright colors, some neutrals and graphic prints. The modern crop denims  are really fun come in an electric blue (left) which get me excited for Spring.

Talbot's

J. Crew

There are some poppin' prints that hold their own as well.  Talbot's has a great cropped pant called the Signature fit floral super crop and this floral is gorgeous.  I love the richness of it, especially the cherry red.

I am thinking that J. Crew's Olympia leather wedges in radio red would be a fabulous compliment to these cropped pants.

These little also come in suede which I love as well!  Bright marigold is calling my name, but not my wallet!

Like I said, there is no escaping brights for Spring and always in Summer.  It is actually nice to have brights preview Spring instead of the always expected pastels.  Just pick carefully and don't over-bright your outfits.  I can tell you we have a couple lovelies at work that quickly became glamour don'ts from their head to toe colors.  A minimalistic approach is far more appealing...

Do you love this trend for Spring and if yes, what are your favorite pieces or accessories?

Cheers!

J. Crew

Tom Ford
Sp/Su 2012

One more thing, one of my favorite Pinterest boards is called "Jewel Tones" which features photographs with rich, bright and striking photographs.

McQueen

I have many fashionable brights posted on this board and I was obviously so taken with these colors.  A girl has to dream, right?  Love this pure purple Tom Ford dress which is ultra-bright and ultra-feminine.

And, nothing screams color more than McQueen!

Cheers!