Trend Envy: Bold Statements

Your closet needs color rehab, stat

By Yelena Moroz
Published: Apr 04, 2008

Buh-bye winter blues! Pack up those heavy tweed pants and muted sweaters and head to your favorite shopping strip in search of bombshell bright totes, dresses and jackets. Now is not the time to shy away from vivacious, bold colored items.

Don't be intimidated. Wearing rich, vibrant colors is the quickest way to camouflage that pasty, winter complexion. It's a lot like wearing red lipstick for the first time. At first, it seems a little jarring, but then you start to feel sexy and before you know it, your confidence skyrockets. Trust us, you'll feel the same in Burberry Prorsum's magenta dress and trench (see above).

If you're a color virgin, try experimenting with yellow. It'll look fantastic whether you're blond, brunette, or redhead. Plus, it complements almost every color. Pair it with citrus green, a la Blumarine, for a saucy ensemble, belt it like Peter Som, or use it to add a kick to white and black. Shop Banana Republic and Club Monaco for all things yellow.

Once you've filled your closet with cerulean flats, scarlet clutches, and sunset tights, move on to dresses. Pick a vivid color and you're good to go. No need to spend hours accessorizing, pick from your rainbow-colored collection or keep it basic with a black belt and pumps.

The key to working a painter's palette lies in sticking to a few basic pieces and common sense. Matching the same shade of eyeshadow to the green Versace dress is an ultimate no-no. If Jolly Green Giant or Smurfs come to mind, tone it down, please.