The colour trend for this year is bright colour combinations and there is no better time than Chinese New Year to try them out.
Fashion designer Alessandro Michele of Gucci had a rainbow of a Spring/Summer 2016 collection and Victoria Beckham, famous for her chic tailored dresses in white and black, opted for bright pairings such as a blue singlet and an orange skirt for her Spring runway show.
Pantone, a worldwide authority on colour, also chose 10 colourful hues for Spring 2016.
In the twice-yearly Pantone Fashion Colour Report Spring 2016: A Transporting And Transformative Canvas, Ms Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, says: "Colours this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves."
Instead of sticking to just one bright colour and "balancing" it out with a neutral accessory or separate, combine it with an equally cheerful colour for a festive and on-trend look. Fashion should be fun, after all.
Go for patterns, prints and textures when shopping for such clothes. And because they are so loud, you can tone down on the accessories.
Here are some ideas on how to work the bright colour trend this festive period.
Forest green and neon pink
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Printed silk jersey halterneck wrap dress, £224.01 (S$460), from Diane von Furstenberg from www.outnet.com; Bright Rosa New Q Wingman clutch, $260, from Marc by Marc Jacobs; and Nudist Song ankle strap patent leather sandals, $800, from Stuart Weitzman.
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Rockabilly Christy crop top in Rose, $45, from Rockstar; Toothpick corduroy trousers in Sherwood Green, $145.30, from www.jcrew.com/sg; and Nudist Song ankle strap patent leather sandals, $800, from Stuart Weitzman.
Yellow and red
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Nylon and merino wool blend cardigan, $70, from Gap; Uniqlo x Hana Tajima tapered ankle-length pants, $49.90, from Uniqlo; and Clean 90 white leather sneakers with metallic detail, US$205 (S$290), from www.axelarigato.com.
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Yellow lace dress, $89.90, from Topshop; red crossbody bag with chain strap, $39.90, from H&M; and strappy wedge shoes, $47.90, from Heatwave Shoes.
Burnt orange and bright blue
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Pantheon draped dress, $54, from www.pomelofashion.com/sg/; blue bag with strap, $304, from Bimba Y Lola; and Clean 90 white leather sneakers with metallic detail, US$205 (S$290), from www.axelarigato.com.
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Ribbed knit sweater, US$621 (S$890), from Jason Wu from www.net-a-porter.com; Tertia Catherine circle skirt, $225, from www.gnossem.com; and Clean 90 white leather sneakers with metallic detail, US$205 (S$290), from www.axelarigato.com.
Pink and red
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Crop top, $139.90, and full skirt, $179.90, both from Elohim by Sabrina Goh; and Dea silver heels, US$110 (S$160), from Sam Edelman from www.lanecrawford.com.
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Something Borrowed top with bow detail, $29.90, from www.zalora.sg; Rock trousers in crepe, £245 (S$500), from Joseph from www.joseph-fashion.com; and Dea silver heels, US$110 (S$160), from Sam Edelman from www.lanecrawford.com.
Pale pink and baby blue
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Soleil dot midi dress, $205, from Line + Dot from Et-i-kit; blue Mercer satchel, $820, from Coach; and Clean 90 sneakers in nude leather, US$205 (S$290), from www.axelarigato.com.
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Carnation pinafore dress, $224, from Sretsis from www.lularock.com; Kiku Salmon brooch, $95, from www.pinwheeljewels.com; Slub stripe shirt (to wear under pinafore), $49.90, from New Look; and Clean 90 sneakers in nude leather, US$205 (S$290), from www.axelarigato.com.
Where to buy:
Axel Arigato: www.axelarigato.com
Bimba Y Lola: B1-04 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Coach: 02-19 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road
Elohim by Sabrina Goh: 02-14 Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Road
Et-i-kit: 03-14 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
Gap: 01-129 Vivocity, 1 HarbourFront Walk
Gnossem: 05-01, 66 Kampong Bugis
H&M: Orchard Building, 1 Grange Road
Heatwave Shoes: B1-12 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road
J Crew: www.jcrew.com/sg
Joseph: www.joseph-fashion.com
Lane Crawford: www.lanecrawford.com
Lula Rock: www.lularock.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs: 03-21 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Net-a-porter: www.net-a-porter.com
New Look: B2-34 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road
Pinwheel Jewels: www.pinwheeljewels.com
Pomelo Fashion: www.pomelofashion.com/sg/
Rockstar: 03-08 Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange Road
Stuart Weitzman: 02-12E Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road
The Outnet: www.theoutnet.com
Topshop: B2-01 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Uniqlo: 03-27 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road
Zalora: www.zalora.sg
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This article was first published on January 29, 2016.
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