7 ways to add color to your summer wardrobe...

when we think of summer...we think of sun...fun...and color...but many still have a hard time figuring out how to incorporate color into their summer wardrobe...now for those that for whatever reason...don't like color...no problem...i have several clients who prefer to stay in their neutrals...and that is ok...

but for those wanting to have a little bit of a colorful impact on their wardrobe this season...here are some simple solutions for you...and the great thing...is you can just add one of these items...and have instant color success...

1.  how about adding a vibrant colorful handbag for this season...this one below is the one i got myself...but in a neon pink...the tangerine was my second choice...and believe me...it goes with almost everything i wear...i literally have been using it for months...and get lots of compliments on it...which color to pick?  whichever one speaks to you...the pink was screaming my name...so i went for it...

michael kors "jet set" tote
nordstrom

2  a big trend that has been staying strong for quite some time...is the colored jeans...or in this case...a nice cool cropped pant...and yes...i have a similar pair...and i love them...wear them often...with so much...i've paired them with a black & white graphic summer coat...a simple tee...a floral blouse...on and on....add a blazer - wear it to the office...

nordstrom.com

3.  same as above - but in a skirt...depending on what you are looking for...as far as casual or business...the colored skirt can be incorporated in either setting...this one is a casual cotton skirt...perfect for running around town...going to the movies with friends...or meeting up with the gal pals for drinks...add a fun white tee...cute espadrilles and you are set...

banana republic
styling fabulous consignment boutique

4.  add a little color to your shoes...there are such fun loafers out now...flats...in vibrant colors...or pastels...such an easy way to add color when wearing a skirt or your jeans...

cole haan
styling fabulous consignment boutique

but of course...don't just think of your flats...how about a fun color in a pair of pumps...a yellow?  blue?  how fun to wear with your jeans...can't go wrong with a fun colorful pair of espadrilles...or for something a little dressier...lovely mint green slingbacks...for those that want a little color...not to bright...

paolo
styling fabulous consignment boutique

5.  adding a fun flirty top when going out for the evening...yes...skip the black for an evening...believe me...people gravitate towards color...you will be surprised...all you need?  a fun pair of white jeans or skirt and you are set for a summer evening...

max studio
styling fabulous consignment boutique

6.  add a colorful cardigan...for those cool summer nites...or depending on where you live...here in san francisco bay area...summer nites can get pretty cool...so a fun leather jacket in a great summer color...how chic is this?

lucien piccard
styling fabulous consignment boutique

7.  and last...but certainly not least...a simple add of a colorful scarf...add that to your neutrals...your blacks...or your all whites...and you are fabulously set for a wardrobe with a splash of color...

now i realize that all my examples are showing solids...but don't stop there...there are amazing colorful prints out there...that would do wonders in adding color to your summer wardrobe as well...

which of these would you try?

spring/summer trends 2012 currently in...

fabulous finds consignment boutique

as i've been sharing all the spring summer trends for this year...i thought i would show examples from the consignment boutique...over 850 items...nope...that wasn't a typo...lots to choose from...in every color, shape and size...if you haven't peaked lately...you are missing out!  

so to recap...some of the spring/summer 2012 trends...

patterned pants

graphic print

bright colors

pastels

neon

color blocking

florals

colored jeans

wedges/espadrilles

put together: a little color & a dash of patterns...

every once in a while...i see an ad that just makes me happy...what would be in such an ad?  a little bit of color...and a little bit of mixing patterns...how fun & fabulous is this outfit...put together brilliantly for trina turk...les sigh...

scanned by moi

green & yellow...

my closest friends would say that my favorite color is green...it is usually what i gravitate towards...the truth is...i gravitate towards color...the brighter...the better...in the past...my favorite green combination was always...green & pink...made me think of spring...

but lately...i've been seeing a lot of green & yellow combinations...and i have to say...it is really getting my attention...now...if you are like me...and can't wear a certain color...especially around your face...there are ways of working in color that you love...but can't wear...

for me that color would be yellow...not the best choice for me...washes me out...so...how i would fix that problem? perhaps finding a colored pair of pastel yellow jeans...emphasis on the pastel...because i'm not needing bright yellow attention on my back side... =) just saying...or perhaps a pair of green & yellow espadrilles?

i like this combination of green dress & yellow jacket...but for me...i would flip it...and wear the green closer to my face...or on the outside...don't discount a color or trend that you gravitate to...but think of ways of incorporating it in...but in subtle ways...

bally

this nice yellow handbag with green embellishments is pretty fabulous...no? whatever your poison...look at pictures for inspiration...for color ideas...and then start working it in your wardrobe...baby steps...

prada

if green & yellow doesn't do it for you...pick a combination that does...orange & pink...green & blue...the options are limitless...but so fun to create...what would your winning color combination be? and how would you work it into your wardrobe?




photos scanned by moi - elle magazine february issue

a look on the bright side...

being a rather dreary...grey...rainy day...all i am wanting is some color...some vibrancy...some "happy"...and then i spotted a great pair of compact doubleweave pants...at ann taylor of all places...to say that i have been a bit obsessed with colored jeans...well...would be an understatement...but then when i spotted these...i thought...why stop at just jeans?

these are fabulous...a nice cropped pant...with a nice amount of stretch to them...so...i'm figuring there are two ways to wear this...rather demure...or go all out...

demure would be...possibly with a neutral blouse or sweater...and a nice pair of pumps...but...could you just imagine this with a eye-popping blouse? like...hmmm...a gorgeous red?? i could picture it in my mind...not sure if i would go that bright...on myself that is...yes...even i have my limits...not because i don't think the combination would be fabulous...just not the right combination for me...

which would you choose? demure...all out...or...none of the above?

guess that would be three ways...

color color color...

i was flipping through my march issue of california lifestyle magazine...and came across these lovelies...can you stand all the bright colors? doesn't it just make you yearn for spring & summer? and who can just stop at one?

phew...

looks like they are available at bloomingdales in lots of hues...michael by michael kors...i'm thinking a bright new handbag is definately in order to kick start this upcoming very bright & cheery season...

scanned by moi

spring is definately in the air...

and in all the department stores...as was witnessed today when i was out shopping...helping a girlfriend get some new pieces for her wardrobe...bold bright colors...and graphics...mostly black and white...i was in pure heaven!

so get ready...because spring is all about color...the brighter the better...and so many colors to choose from...truly something for everyone...are you going to try to introduce a new color to your wardrobe?

my girlfriend stepped out of her comfort zone and chose an absolutely vibrant silk chartreuse blouse...i saw so many possiblities...i started rambling off all the ways she could wear it with what she currently owns...i seriously think she caught some of my excitement for herself... =)

photo source

beyond the basic pant...

it was just a few weeks ago...that i was chatting it up about the colored jean...and although i have not found my perfect pair...i am now looking for that AND the perfect colored pant...think bright...

yes...the basic pant can be fabulous as well...pairing it with the right top & shoes...you can pretty much make a very glamorous outfit...but how fun to add some color...when everyone is wearing black, grey, brown or blue pants...go beyond the basic...and add a splash of color...

when you find the perfect pair...keep in mind...less is more...with the bright colored pants...think quiet shades for the rest of your outfit...including the shoes & jewelry...

here are the top contenders so far...

diane von furstenberg naples pants, lipstick

gucci ankle-length pants, tabasco

robert rodriguez wide-leg pleated pants

one of each...please...

this week...i've been on the nordstrom website quite a few times...looking for items for the blog...for a client...for different reasons...how delightful...that everytime i would click on there...i would be shown this lovely pic...

ok...one of each please...not only do i love the styles...but how can these colors not put a smile on your face? of course...i already have purple suede shoes...which have always added a nice pop of color to many of my outfits...so not sure how i can convince myself that another pair is needed...but the pink & plum? yes please!

photo source

color block shoes in brights & muted...

so here it was...just last friday that i did a post on color blocking your shoes...thinking that was the end of that...

well imagine my excitement...when over the weekend i received two different pairs of shoes for the fabulous finds consignment boutique...and they just happen to have the lovely arrangement of color blocking...

so here they are...one in brights...and one in muted colors...but both showing a lovely example of color blocking your shoes...

sacha london

nine west

the colored jean...

one of the big trends out currently is the colored jean...let me tell you...there are some bright colors out there...really fun way of incorporating some pizzazz into your wardrobe...do you think you are game?

today i set out to do some shopping with my niece who is visiting from the east coast...somehow we got on the conversation about red jeans...and how they are so hot right now...and then she tells me...red is her school color...well...that for me is a no brainer for a young girl...

we set out to find the perfect pair of red jeans...and i'm happy to report...we did! they look adorable on her...and bless her heart...she was a little excited about stepping out of her comfort zone...

while shopping...i spotted some fabulous colors in jeans...everything from bright reds, royal blues, purples, greens to a little more subdued coloring...the point being...there is a shade out there for everyone...

j brand mid rise flare leg stretch jeans

kut from the kloth skinny corduroy jeans

fire skinny stretch denim jeans

all photos: nordstrom.com

inspiration in color...

one of my dearest friends (who is SO not into fashion) challenged me this week...her words exactly were..."all this talk about color...show me how you would find inspiration if you didn't have your fashion magazines"

all i can say is...i wish my homework was this easy when i was back in school...this...was a no-brainer...it took me all of 3 minutes to find my top 4 pics of inspiration...and of course...i looked at the two areas that i have a passion for...that doesn't include fashion...

sweets & flowers... =)

first...the french macaroons...i'm mean really...just looking at a picture makes my mouth water...so delicious...but...since we are talking about color...this is where i look...the colors don't match...but they go together...it is pleasing to the eye...so many variations can be taken from this one pic...don't you agree?

photo source

ok...so onward with the sweets...i've always loved jelly beans...but one vivid memory is actually in a local restaurant not very far from my home...they have a huge decanter full of jelly beans for all the guests to grab on the way out...i mean i guess you could grab some on the way in...but i digress...the point is...look at all the colors...makes my heart skip a beat...and although i'm not saying to wear every color you see...but what jumps out at you? my eye goes directly to the orange and pink...so then my mind starts going through my closet...what do i have in those colors...that i could put together?

photo source

i have always loved pink and green combination together...but look how wonderful the yellow pops against the pink...and this is pure nature...no made up stuff...so if nature deems it colors that go together...then who am i to argue?

photo source

and i end with my all time favorite flowers...the tulips...i mean...really...look at the vibrant bold colors...screaming to be worn...ok...maybe that was a slight exaggeration...but color does that to me...

photo source

so when you are ready to wear color...where does your inspiration come from?

color blocking with your separates...

the march issue cover of elle magazine was...in a word...fabulous! did you happen to see it? if not...i scanned it for you below...i have to say...i am really loving this whole color blocking that has been showing up on the runways as well as fashion magazines...

there is something about the intensity in pure...undiluted color...worn alone...the shock value of a bright...even moreso when fearlessly mixed...

so how to mix?

it depends on your bravery level... =) i've written before about wearing different tones of the same color...this would be a great first step...

if you want to venture out further...a great way to pick corresponding colors is by looking at the color wheel...opposite colors on the color wheel make for great color combo's...

but ultimately...all we need to do is look at nature...or pictures...or...well...all that is around us...for example...when you look at a bed of flowers...and you love the different color combinations...why not incorporate that same color combo into an outfit...

here are some wonderful color blocking combinations to inspire you...

what colors have you put together to form a color blocking outfit with your separates?

love all the colors!


my favorite color combo


actually anything with green...i love...

great gucci ad

photo credit: all scanned by moi...elle magazine

you had me at hello...green with envy...

the magazines are full of colors...bright bold colors...makes me smile...how can it not? and my wish list? my wish list that forever is growing...just got an additional item added...

feast your eyes on this beauty...how appropriate with st. patty's day being tomorrow...it was one of those "you had me at hello" moments the minute i laid eyes on her...yes please...

scanned by moi
cole haan
vogue march 2011 issue

dear fashion advisor...

Q. I'm seeing all of these bright colors out there for Spring, and they remind me of the 80's (you know, been there...done that?) How can I incorporate them into my wardrobe in a current way?

A. ah yes...i know what you mean...the old saying is something to the effect: if you remember the trend from the first time around...you probably don't want to jump on board the second time around...but...if you're wanting to give a nod to the current trend...there are a few ways to do it (courtesy of british vogue...thank you very much!)

pair your favorite bright with a neutral - the calming effect of nudes, caffe latte, mushroom and silver grey help diffuse some of the 'pop'...

try a band of black to anchor the neon - whether it's a literal bank of black or a tie-dye effect or even black lace...


go conservative in styling - a prim suit and sensible skirt length will counterbalance the daring of the bright color...



if that's too much for you...try a neon accessory...it'll add an element of surprise to an otherwise neutral outfit...

of course...if you're the dramatic type...you may want to try the head-to-toe column of color...all you need is a brave state of mind...