Bright colors are all the rage this summer, and there are certainly some rockin’ choices out there. The difficulty exists in walking the fine line between looking fabulous and looking like Bozo the Clown. Here are a few hot tips to get you started.

1. Accessorize.
If you’re feeling a little unsure about bolds, sneak them into your closet in ways that aren’t so obvious. Try a hot pair of purple crocodile-print shoes, an eye-catching tangerine handbag, or a long necklace made of turquoise rock pieces. You can cash in on summer trends while slowly building up your confidence with color. Genius!

2. Get classic pieces.
Buying a pair of lime-green skinny jeans might sound like fun, but think about your ratio of cost to use. Though bolds really shine in the summer, they can (and should!) be worn during other seasons as well. Rather than going all out on an embellished fuchsia tube top that you’ll probably wear a max of three times, you might be better off with something like this, which you can wear over and over again (including in the fall and winter with leggings).

3. Stand out with neutrals.
You will veer into Bozo territory if you pair a fluorescent top with a primary-colored skirt or if you combine too many crazy colors all at once. Instead, use neutrals. A white or gray tank will look great with a bright skirt, and a top with a vivid pattern will rock with plain jeans.

4. Matching not necessary.

Remember how you wore a purple jumper and pink pants in third grade, with pink socks and purple shoes and a purple headband and pink earrings? Or was that just me? In any case, we’ve grown up. Try contrasting colors instead. Bright red shoes almost always look fabulous regardless what the rest of your outfit looks like, and combining a sweet green headband with blue earrings, an aqua belt, and a rust-colored dress would be hot.

Now use your own creativity and innate style to venture out into the world of brights!
[Photo courtesy of Shiny Style.]