Balance Brights: Accessorizing in Pop Colors [iTsArticles]

Here's how to spring into this season's trends: Pair some show-stopping magenta shorts with a loose chiffon blouse that has a splash of magenta in the pattern as well as another bright color such as electric yellow or hot orange. Not your colors? There's a bright for everyone this spring. Try electric blue, neon purple, bright candy apple red, electric green or fuchsia.

Whatever your color choice, from a hot pink dress to sunshine yellow capris, you'll need accessories that let the brights steal the spotlight -- or that add more pop. Neutral colors are a sure thing, but bright shades also can complement your dramatic look. And don't neglect your hair and makeup; they're accessories all on their own.

Neutral Colors

The hot colors of spring can be dressed down for a casual look by pairing them with nude or neutral tones. Brian Hodge, fashion expert and former visual merchandiser for Abercrombie and Fitch in Los Angeles, recommends "nude skinny belts, nude peep-toe wedges and cream scarves" so your brights are the stars of your fashion show. Neutral doesn't have to mean nude or cream. You can work in other neutrals such as a baby blue beaded bracelet; soft gray, black or floral white sandals; or a hint of light yellow in a necklace pendant to pair with a hot orange tank.

"Skirts and dresses can be worn during the day as casual looks, as long as you accessorize with neutrals and wear flats," Hodge said.

For example, make a neon purple dress casual by pairing it with a nude skinny belt, tan ballet flats and a medium-sized handbag in muted gray with gold chain straps. To keep jewelry from overtaking our outfit, wear small or medium silver or two-toned silver and gold earrings and bangles.

Switch from day to night with this look by substituting nude pumps for the flats. Hodge also suggests "a shiny navy blue belt and adding a light gray or muted charcoal blazer" to complete your evening ensemble.

Bright on Bright

This season is all about taking a risk with brights and you can go a step further. "Dress bright solids up by following trend and carefully selecting other brights to accessorize with," Hodge said.

Amanda Loring, a stylist who has worked for magazines such as "L'Officiel" and "Cosmo," recommends "color blocking your outfits with similar hues. For example, mixing and matching electric yellow, orange and red or hot green, blue and purple."

She suggests wearing a "solid electric yellow, long dress with strappy cherry red and electric orange flat sandals and an electric orange clutch" as a semi-casual outfit.

The brighter the color the more your spring cocktail dress will pop at night. If electric blue is your choice,  loring recommends pairing it with "a fuchsia, chiffon scarf that is patterned with splashes of white and bright turquoise."

"If you want to add some edge to your look," she added, "accessorize with an electric purple snake skin handbag." Bright-colored handbags are perfect for playing with colors. Choose purses in a timeless shape, but in a bold shade, so it will stay in style after the trend fades.

The Gucci spring 2011 collection, featured in Glamour Magazine, rocked bright shoes that match the primary color. So, if your dress is neon yellow, pull it together with neon yellow pumps. Gucci also works gold into the mix this spring. Have some fun with your accessories and add a gold headband and bangles to complement your bright magenta or blue dress. If you need a jacket, match similar color schemes, such as a hot orange skirt with a magenta top paired with a candy apple red jacket.

Hair and Makeup

Makeup and hair styles are accessories on their own. Choose a splash of bright makeup that will flatter your tone and complexion. But don't go overboard with bright makeup when wearing an outfit that is already bright; just choose one bright color to accentuate your overall look.

If you are blonde with light skin tones, for example, make your eyes pop with a yellow, chartreuse or electric blue shadow. Choose the one that works with your eye color. If you have dark hair and skin tones, magenta or hot orange blush lightly swept on and then blended on your upper cheek bone will make your complexion pop.

Hodge recommends going further and accessorizing with makeup that is right for your personal "season," which is based on your hair and skin tones. He adds that you can still splash bright makeup on your eyes if you are a warm or light season as long as the rest of your makeup is in the right tones.

Complete your spring look with your hairstyle. Gucci's spring fashion show featured so many bold color combinations, the stylists balanced the look with chic, sleek ponytails. Paul Mitchell recruiter Ashley Maloney agrees with Gucci's simple styling.

"If you follow trend and flaunt brights this spring, keep your hair tame so it doesn't overshadow the look," she said. Maloney offers several suggestions for hairstyles that will complement your spring outfits.

"If you want to wear your hair down, go with light, flowy curls and part it in the middle or be super trendy and slick your hair back with hair gel," she said. "Low ponytails work this season, too, parted in the middle or on the side."

Long locks are also trendy, she says, and you can add some clip-in extensions. Maloney warns not to add too many accessories to your hair: A skinny headband is all right, but skip chunky accessories so all eyes are on your brights.

Tips & Warnings

You can brighten up your nails this season by painting them solid electric colors or even patterns. If you are going for a casual look, paint them nude or very light pink.

If you want to make a statement pair a bold-colored dress such as magenta with a flashy patterned scarf and bright heels.

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