The Future's so Bright; you've got to Wear Shades!

Block brights add a cheerful yet sophisticated note to your wardrobe and have been seen on such glamorous stars as Jessica Alba, Amanda Seyfried and even the Duchess of Cambridge. Here's how to incorporate this trend into your spring/summer 2013 wardrobe.
Bright colours worn either as a block or as a mixture of two or more primary hues are a key trend this season and will add some much-needed sparkle on dreary days. With designers going mad for colour on the catwalk, it can be difficult to translate those trends to an everyday, working wardrobe. What looks great on a stick thin model is often a lot less forgiving off the runway. However, with a little common sense, you can easily make this look work for you.

Function.
A gentle way to wear this trend is to start with accessories. Bright coloured jeans and primary coats may be a little too much for some, so ease in gently. Bright colours can be a little too harsh next to some complexions, but occasional pops of a bold hue in the form of a bag, belt or shoes won't wash you out. In fact they'll have the opposite effect, throwing a light on the colours of your eyes, lips and cheeks.
Form.
When it comes to clothing, you need to consider volume; with a bold colour shouting loudly, you need to keep shapes simple, clean and streamlined. Anything too fussy risks looking over the top and dated and emphasises colour clashes, while anything too loose could make you look far larger than you really are. Think neat, cropped blazers, plain t-shirts or vests, bright coloured jeans or flared minis.
Style.
When it comes to combining bright hues, it's more a matter of personal taste. While the old rules such as 'blue and green should never be seen' are way out of date, neither is it a case of 'anything goes'. If you are happy to stand out or risk looking like a national flag in green and red or bright purple and yellow, attitude and confidence will help you to pull it off. If you want to follow the fashion in a more modest way, look at sticking to combinations close to each other on the colour wheel; blue and green, orange and yellow or purple and pink are good examples.
Another way to makes brights wearable on an everyday basis is to use your neutrals. If neon yellow next to your face makes you look ill, try a bright pencil skirt with a white or black top. Neutrals gain a new depth when paired with a bold hue; try chocolate, grey, khaki or navy combined with hot pink or lime green to look fresh and sophisticated, particularly when worn in modern style like the current sports luxe trend.
Substance.
Brights can also be useful to define your body shape. Use brights with neutrals to highlight your good points and disguise your weaker areas. If you are pear-shaped, draw attention to your slim waist and shapely shoulders with a bold top over a neutral pair of trousers. Those with good legs but less definition on their top half should keep all eyes on their shapely pins with an attention grabbing pair of cigarette pants or skirt and keep a lack of waist or bust in the shade with black or grey on the top half.
Look online and in magazines for inspiration from your favourite celebrity, but however you decide to wear the trend for block brights, do it with happiness and confidence and remember that a great smile is your best fashion accessory.
AUTHOR BIO
Hanna Howlett writes regularly on trends in clothes and make-up for a range of fashion and beauty websites and blogs. Her favourite trends for this season are bright coloured jeans and pyjama suits.