Life in colour

It is all too tempting to reach for the black top/dress – perhaps you will stretch to a grey or navy but even when the sun isn’t shining it is good to have some colour in your life. This summer, bold block colours are everywhere. Fortunately it isn’t one particular colour that is dominating and so there is something for everyone, whether that is bright blue, green, yellow or flaming orange and red. So be brave, put aside your black and the navy and brighten up your wardrobe with a splash of colour.

On Fire

There are lots of hot tones of orange and red out there at the moment which look great for holidays, weddings and can also brighten up your day to day outfits, at work or casually.

If you are after a new top for work or a night out, then this Robin Draped Sleeveless Top £95 in Flame is gorgeous.

For something more everyday, then go for this Viscose Chiffon Trim Vest £22 from Oasis. A very useful little cami this would be that you could wear for work under a jacket, on holiday with shorts, dressed down with denim or up with trousers. Tuck it in with skirts and wider legged styles or wea out over a mini skirt or with slimmer legged trousers. The possibilities are endless.

They also have this High Back Vest £25 which would do the same job but is more red than orange and is more built up than the previous style.

A dose of orange in a dress for a ‘do’ will guarantee that you stand out from the crowd and this Stellie Ruby Ruffle Shoulder Dress £175 from Reiss is a lovely feminine number designed to create curves without clinging.

Alternatively go for it in this Open Back Jumpsuit £85 from Hush.

Boden’s Isadora Broderie Skirt £80 would look lovely paired with a simple white t or a cream cami (like the Oasis styles above).

At the more coral/pink end of the spectrum, but too lovely not to share, is this jersey Juliette Maxi Skirt £56 from Boden. Styling spot on here too.

Cool Blues

Blues work well on most people and especially if you have blue eyes, they will really enhance your eye colour. For a good work top, Reiss has this Ora True Blue Knot-Front Top £120 that will work all year round. A lovely flattering knot detail at the waist will help to create curves and hide any lumps or bumps.

Or go for a coloured lace like this Althea Lace Top £90 from Boden which would be good for work under a jacket, for dinner with trousers or coated jeans or with shorts/denim.

Oasis has several bright blue numbers all under £100 if you want a dressy, but not too formal dress including this Isla Lace Shift Dress £46. Web stock is limited but it is definitely in stores in abundance.

Or alternatively for something a bit looser, Massimo Dutti has this Double Layer Chiffon Dress £79.95.

Or for something you could wear in a corporate setting or equally to an event, this Cassie Dress £129 from Hobbs is a good bet. Sleeved dresses can be hard to find and this is a goodie if you need a formal dress.

Racing Greens

I definitely want more green in my life. I have an old maxi skirt from Topshop that is a summer fave and which is the most beautiful emerald green and I am looking for a top in the same shade. This Claudette Shell Top £45 from Boden would be useful with pencil skirts or trousers alike for the office or with jeans for the weekend.

Back on with cami’s and Oasis has this V neck Cami £22 in green.

The off the shoulder top is big news for the summer and Warehouse has this Broderie Off Shoulder top £18.

On the dress front, I love this Grecian inspired Asymmetric Dress £109 from Massimo Dutti. It would work for summer evenings with flat sandals or with heels for a more formal feel.

A more casual style that would be great on holiday is this Cold Shoulder Knotted Dress £39 from &Other Stories.

Sunshine

Yellow is the colour of happiness and often the easiest way to dip your toe into a colour that you aren’t sure about is with a t-shirt, it is an inexpensive way or trying something out. Boden has both crew necked and V neck t’s in a whole host of colours (316 to £18 depending on the colour) including this pineapple colour.

This Long Sleeved Raglan Tee £30 from Hush is a great casual top that will brighten up your denim. It also comes in a bright pink and two different blues. Sizes are limited but there is definitely a colour out there for everyone.

For a more holiday style then go for this V Neck Cami £22 from Oasis. V necks are the most slimming neckline out there, so are good if you have a big bust or wide shoulders.

 

A yellow sundress has got to be a must for sunny days by the beach and this Macramé Beach Dress £65 from Hush is lovely. Great worn like this but you could take it to the evening with a strappy sandal or wedge and some gold jewellery.

If it is something a bit more special that you need, then try this Pleated Dress £79.95 from Massimo Dutti (it says it is lime, but is definitely yellow having seen in store.)

To quote Coco Chanel, ‘The best colour in the whole world, is the one that looks good on you.’ So find what works for you and embrace some more colour in your life. Black might be elegant, slimming and all the rest, but it doesn’t make you smile like a bright can.