Unexpected colour combinations to freshen up your spring look
Plus: Lisa solves your fashion dilemmas below
It’s become passé to get excited about ‘This Season’s Colours’, probably because in bossier times This Season’s Colours were so domineering. But excitement is fundamental to fashion – as is keeping an open mind.
Clearly no one should wear This Season’s Colours if This Season’s Colours make them look consumptive. But colours add depth and interest, and stop you disappearing. Besides, red never made anyone look ill. It was popular last winter, and still is. Even the tiniest dose flicks an energy switch for so many different outfits.
I’m also seeing quite a bit of mauve in stores at the moment and it would be the opposite of open-minded not to at least give it a trial… I have, and – tip from the front line – unless it’s bang in your personal colour palette, keep it to the bottom half, otherwise it hunts down any greyness in your skin and turns it up to full volume. That caveat aside, the Me+Em trousers above are promising. With a crisp white shirt and/or something khaki or even yellow, they lean strongly towards the sophisticated and slightly unexpected rather than twee. Could be lovely for a wedding or garden party. And come winter, with chocolate brown, navy or grey, mauve’s bound to look interesting.
Speaking of khaki, it might seem a bit dour for spring/summer, but it works mixed with white, denim blue, pink, navy – anything really, and it’s incredibly useful for making pastels look more modern. It’s also spectacular with metallics, making them simultaneously pop and yet subtle. A bit like the currently modish ingredient chilli-spiked honey.
Lacey Skirt, £165, Wyse
I’ll stop saying ‘with white’ now, but in warm weather white makes everything look sharper. Alternatively, wear it head to toe – though you’ll need a fleet of domestic staff to uphold the whiteness. (Or you can just stock up on Ocado’s Pre-Wash Stain Remover, £2.25.)
Kelly and spring green? Tons of those around too, and they’re gorgeous on the right colouring, lighting up skin. But, oddly, they can be quite hard to match up with other shades, although not navy or… w—e.
Cornflower blue is also big this season, pretty much suits everyone, and is an effortless way to ease yourself into a spring/summer mood without resorting to clichés that don’t feel ‘you’. If tailoring’s your thing, a blue linen suit (the above blazer from Polo Ralph Lauren, with its lovely already-lived-in loucheness, has matching trousers) or a shirt and trouser set makes a fresh summer look.
Finally, a wild card: ochre, one of those Marmite shades that’s so striking when you get it right – see what happens if you add a dash to monochrome. With all colours, texture makes all the difference. What can seem harsh in nylon might look incredible in velvet, lustrous silk, quilted cotton or sun-faded linen.
Try these...
Linen blazer, £449, Polo Ralph Lauren; Cotton shirt, £35.99, Mango; Double-buckle slides, £45, Boden
Tapered trousers, £195, Me+Em; Cotton vest, £240, Maksu; Cotton skirt, £65, Albaray
Lisa wears: Twill jacket, £95, and straight-leg trousers, £95, both Cos; Cotton top, £35, Jigsaw, Leather shoes, £75, Autograph, Leather bag, £320, ATP Atelier , Sunglasses, £135, Jimmy Fairly, Gold-plated earrings, £74, and ring, £74, both Shyla
Lisa solves your style dilemmas
Lisa responds to your queries, lending her expertise to help you shop smart. Have a question for her? Submit it here.
