I don’t stop wearing black clothing, footwear and accessories in warm weather, but I do like to wear these items in different ways so that I feel seasonally refreshed. It’s all about adding enough contrasting white and/or colour to the ensemble to make it feel more Summery:

• Match black tops and jackets with white jeans, a white skirt or clamdiggers.
• Freshen up a look with a white camisole under a black top.
• Add a white or colourful jacket, handbag or shoes to a black top worn over blue jeans, a denim skirt or slacks.
• Throw a bright contrasting belt over a black top or frock to liven up the look.
• Combine black bottoms with a white or colourful top and metallic, bright or grey shoes.
• Combine black flats with white jeans, Summery dresses/skirts and black leggings.
• Complement black clothing items with bold (non-black) necklaces, earrings, cuffs, specs or watches. This could mean anything from a chunky string of pearly beads and red earrings, to an earthy chestnut brown necklace, green watch and Lucite bracelet.

Some people are happy to sport black in dark, monochromatic and textured ways in warm weather, but that feels too Autumn and Winter for me. Theoretically, whites and brights also reflect more light and are therefore cooler under direct sunlight. How do you feel about wearing black when temperatures soar?

This is the second Spring season that I’ve embraced light grey as a neutral and I’m loving it. It’s softer and lighter than black, charcoal, navy and brown and just as versatile. Along with white it’s my favourite neutral for warm weather.

Silver grey sounds blah and boring, but to my surprise its cool and fresh integrity works beautifully. I like it best worn with white and/or a colour (bright or muted). And the white can be in the form of an accessory like a handbag or beaded necklace instead of an article of clothing. If you add black into the mix, be sure to add white at the same time too. This prevents your ensemble from looking and feeling Wintery.

As a fair skinned blonde who looks best in bold, sour colours, I used to think I looked dreadful in a silver grey. But I’ve found that wearing it with oomph through texture and sheen makes all the difference. If I wear light grey on its own, the fabric has to have luster and texture. And If I wear a flat light grey, I have to mix it with white and a bright. So it just goes to show that you cannot see colours in isolation. Wearing a so called dull colour in the right way can be flattering.

Flat silver grey brought to life when worn with white and a bright. If you wear muted colours better than brights, opt for that combination instead.

Textured silver grey items: a subtle herringbone on a waistcoat, sheen and ruching detail on an anorak and colourful embellishment on a silk blouse. All of these items are once again shown with white. White makes everything right!

The ratio of solid colours to patterns for the tops, knitwear, jackets, skirts and frocks in your wardrobe depends entirely on your individual style and aesthetic preferences. I see fully functioning wardrobes that are 90% patterned, and I know uber-stylish lasses who stick to solids. There is no generally applicable formula.

As far as clothing goes, I generally have a mix of both with a preference for solids (70% solid and 30% pattern). I’ve found that with a larger selection of solids, I can have fun with accessories like patterned scarves, checked pants, animal print bags and floral pins. I also like to use texture and colour blocking as a way of making my ensembles look interesting. Solids lend themselves better to those looks. Above all, I tire of a pattern more easily then I do of a solid colour, which is why I prefer to see less of it when I open up my closet door.

As much as I love the pure, clean-cut and versatile edge of solids, my wardrobe would feel bland without patterns. I love the surge of excitement that I get when I see one that I adore. And it’s always love at first sight (patterns never seem to grow on me – I either love them or I don’t). My favourite pattern of all time is polka dots in all its variations. There’s just something so fun, fresh, modern, graphic and retro about a spotty vibe. Next would be geometrics and after that abstract florals.

Over to you. What’s your mix of patterns and solids in your wardrobe, and are you happy with that mix? Do you feel you need a change? Do you even like patterns, and if so, which ones are your favourites?

The writing was on the wall when I saw an abundance of turquoise in Paris couture windows. Sure enough, it’s about a year later and the mainstream stores are full of turquoise product for Spring 2009. And the turquoise I saw recently in New York couture windows tells me that the shade is going to be around for a while.

I haven’t always loved turquoise the way I love green, red, yellow and cream. My fondness for the colour started last year when I got a new pair of specs, which are black and white on the outside and bright turquoise on the inside. Bingo. Since then I have been mesmerized by turquoise and have incorporated it into my wardrobe mix.

Turquoise is happening in all its hues and I like them all. From dark bluish tones to light greenish tints, both saturated and muted and everything in-between. I love to pair turquoise with white and yellow because it’s fresh and screams warm weather fun. I also like turquoise with black and white, green, or tomato red. Even if your complexion doesn’t allow you to wear turquoise close to your face, you can still use it as an accent.

I have turquoise knitwear, woolly scarves, a check jacket and a dress. I’m in the market for a turquoise blouse, Summer jacket, Spring scarf and handbag. And if I don’t find these items this year, there will always be Spring 2010. But a bit of uplifting turquoise product will be especially welcome right now, so my fingers are crossed.

The different hues of turquoise. Clockwise from the top left: classic blazer, printed scarves, metallic snake skin belt, watch, satchel and silk blouse.

It’s not about one particular shade of green this Spring season – it’s about all of them. From rich emeralds, citrusy limes and forest greens, to apple, pear, mint, sage, jade, shamrock, pistachio, chartreuse and olive. Saturated, pastel or muted, there’s probably a shade of green for you. But if you’re still not convinced you look good in green, sport it through accessories, handbags or footwear instead of close to your face.

I like greens when they are blindingly bright, super sour (like citron), or in a shade of olive. I like to pair different shades of green with one or a few of the following colours: yellow, turquoise, cobalt, purple, white, cream, charcoal and black. I loved how Laura used emerald green in one of her Mum-on-the-go outfits. It screams Spring in a clean and fresh way.

I do not like green paired with red because it can look Christmas-y. I also tend to stay away from pairing emerald green with navy or ink blue because that feels too nautical. But these particular colour combinations do work and can look fab if you like them.

I have a wardrobe full of timeless citrusy green and olive tops, knitwear and scarves. I have apple and lime green handbags and a brand new emerald snakeskin clutch. I’d love to add an emerald or apple green blouse, dress and skinny belt, and I might add a pair of green shoes too. Fun green items lift my spirits so they’re definitely on my shopping list.

It is nice to see various shades of green alongside the sea of coral and jewel tones in stores. Variety and choice are the spice of life. Clockwise starting at the top left: Apple green hooded trench, chartreuse cropped water resistant trench, shamrock and turquoise muffler scarf, pear piped belt, pear wristlet, emerald cardigan and emerald belt.

I seem to have created the impression that “black is not a YLF colour”. Let me set the record straight. It absolutely is. I love black and own many black pieces (like this dress and this biker jacket). So do many of my clients.

I don’t think our wardrobes function well without black pieces and some items look better in black than in any other colour. That being said, I’m not an unconditional advocate of black because it isn’t flop proof.

• Some people wear black well. Others don’t. People who don’t look good in black might prefer brown, grey, ink blue or white as “their black”.
• Falling back on black tops time and time again without adding a contrasting colour to your ensemble is dangerous. This is what I call the black rut and it is just too somber. Angelina Jolie is infamous for being in a black rut, but that has changed recently. She’s incorporating other neutrals and colour into her style mix and in my opinion looks much better for it.
• Wearing black from head-to-toe is hard to pull off. It can look stunning when the outfit is textured, but most of the time it’s a risk.

I do not mean to discourage you from purchasing black wardrobe items. They can be fab. Just ensure that black works for you, stay out of the rut, and incorporate texture when you wear it from head to toe.

Neutrals like black, grey, brown, cream, white, navy and nude are considered timeless, but most colours waft in and out of fashion. Recently on the forum there was an interesting discussion about colours that are forever fashionable just for you. These are the colours that are extremely flattering for your complexion, hair colour, eye colour and personality. When I work with my clients I refer to them as signature colors. It really doesn’t matter if it’s not the “it” fuchsia” or last season’s “teal”. If you look fabulous in particular shades, you should wear them regardless of their fashion status because signature colours do not date.

Unfortunately, items in timeless colours are not without their challenges. For some items the style will date even if the colour is forever. And it’s not always easy finding items in your timeless colours. You might find loads of items in one season and nothing for a few seasons thereafter. The answer is to buy items in more timeless styles and stock up on them when the colours are in fashion. This is why I bought quite a few things in tomato red and an acidic yellowy-green over the last few seasons. These are my timeless colours and I’d be awfully unhappy if they were absent from my wardrobe. How about you?

These shades of red and citrusy yellow have always been my forever fashionables. That all too famous 50’s “Tiffany’s blue” is a recent addition to the list. With the resurgence of turquoise for Spring 2009, I plan to stock up.

Fuchsia was the quintessential colour of the ‘80’s. I wore so much of the colour back then it was frightening. Recently we saw fuchsia come back as a fashion colour along with other shades of pink and there is no stopping it for Spring 2009. Fuchsia is fast becoming the “it” colour this year.

My prediction is that the abundance of fuchsia will make red take a back seat. This upsets me a little because although I like fuchsia and wear the shade, I’m a tomato red girl at heart. It is not a replacement for red in my wardrobe. What do you think? Do you wear both shades, and are they interchangeable?

Fuchsia or red. Hmmm… I quite like the two shades together as above. They clash, but it works. That might be my answer to wearing fuchsia this season – the best of both worlds.

Retailers in the northern hemisphere will be full of Spring merchandise in less than six weeks. It’s hard to get our minds around that fact when there’s still snow on the ground, but that’s the way the crazy retail cycle works. Here are the trends that I expect to see in stores over the next 6 months:

• Strong 80’s flair: I’m all for it.
• Prints: Butterflies and pastel florals.
• Maxi dresses: You know how I feel about this trend.
• Suits: Makes for a nice change. This is the year of the pastel suit.
• Cropped military jackets: Fabulous. I love military inspired items. Does anyone remember the Sergeant Pepper jacket?
• Floppy pants and baggy bottoms: I doubt harem pants will take off, but we’ve seen wide-legged pants make a comeback. I’m curious as to how this trend will be received.
• Zipper accents: The “tough girl” rock-chic vibe is hanging around. Another trend that I adore.
• Rompers and jumpsuits: They were fringe fashion last year and I hope they stay that way.
• Single shouldered tops: Interesting.
• The exposed midriff: I’m staying covered up.
• More fringing: A little bohemian flavour is fine.
• Daytime sparkle: We’ve already seen this trend come through. I wear my metallic poloneck during the day, dressed down with faded jeans and casual boots and it makes for a fun look.
• Bikinis: I’m sticking to a one-piece.
• More gladiators: Both flat and stacked. Love the trend but can’t wear the shoe. Oh well. I’ve come to expect footwear seasons with a limited assortment of wearable possibilities.
• Accessories: Oversized necklaces, pastel handbags and footwear, stacked bracelets and cocktail rings.
• Hair: Center partings.

The colors will be ice-cream tones:

• Brights: Turquoise, yellow, apple green and fuchsia
• Pastels: Blush, peach, light blue, aqua and lilac
• Neutrals: head-to-toe black and nude, nude, nude

Each new season brings with it a sense of excitement. As always, I’m chomping at the bit to share our feelings about what’s out there. So far, it’s the military influences, the zipper accents and colours like apple green and turquoise that excite me the most. Trends like maxi dresses, jumpsuits and bare mid riffs excite me the least. What’s your take on these trends?

The mood of Spring 2009’s colour palette. Yummy.

It’s no secret that I love vibrant colours and enjoy sporting a few of them at a time. I’m not afraid of colour and this has been part of my style for as long as I can remember.

But my ensemble preferences have been predominantly neutral over the last 6 months. I’m wearing a lot of black, white, cream and grey together, with a focus on texture as opposed to colour. I do not wear black from head to toe – whenever I wear black, it’s usually together with white or cream to keep things looking soft and pretty. So my ensembles are still dramatic and contrasting, just monochromatic.

I sometimes punctuate my “new textured neutral look” with bright handbags and shoes, either cobalt, turquoise, yellow or green. But just as often with black, grey, cream or red handbags and shoes instead. These days I view red more as a basic neutral than a “bright”.

I guess I felt I was in a rut and needed a change. Who else is in a neutral mood?