Color is out in full force this fall.  The bolder the better and the brighter the more beautiful.  Unlike other trends, this fall there is something for everyone.  In my preview a few months back, I wrote about the importance of purple-- and all its shades-- in this season's fashions.  The proof is now showing up on the store shelves.  It is accompanied by red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and fuchsia.  Don't be afraid!  Reds, purples and blues look good on everyone and with so many emerging shades of each there is no excuse not to participate.  Yellows, like sunshine and lemonade, are happy colors.  Who wouldn't want to take part?  Continuously important are black, brown and grey.  These neutral colors work for just about anyone and play an important role to mix with your new colorful and vibrant pieces.

Things to think about: 

*Don't forget other varying shades; blues include marine, midnight, cobalt and electric.  Greens are teal, hunter, apple, forest, spinach and olive.  Purples include, but not limited to, violet, lilac, eggplant, and wine.  Reds will have a tendency to pull blue or yellow/orange.  See which looks best with your skin tone.

*Don't wear bright everyday.  Just like any other trend, it is not good to over-do it. These colors are strong and should pop, not overpower.

*Narrow it down to a few new vivid colors...Don't try to add them all.  (Resembling a box of Crayolas is not the look we are going for.)

*Don't stray too far if you are used to light colors.  Remember that we all have a comfort zone, and while it is good to step out a bit, you won't wear your clothes if they make you uncomfortable.

*Don't be afraid to mix n' match your brights.  Possible combos are teal with red, royal blue with yellow or bright purple, brown with green and blue.  My personal new favorite is lavender with brown. Bold patterns are great to mix in too.  An orange sweater would look great with a zebra or tiger skirt.

*Wear bright colors near your best asset because they draw attention.  Think about a bright red belt on a black dress to highlight a tiny waistline.  Or try a teal green skirt to show your dancer's legs.

*Don't worry too much about what colors you should or shouldn't wear because of your hair and eyes.  Many of us have altered our natural colors in some way or another.

*Think about refreshing an older outfit with one piece of a new, hot color.  Colorful accessories can help do the trick.  This is a perfect way to update on a budget.

Easy ways to add color...a hot pink tank under a grey suit, a lemon yellow handbag against your neutral outfit, bright orange beads with your classic black dress, jewel tone tights with a plaid skirt and any color bright shoe with one of your many, many pairs of black pants.

Stop to take a look around you, there are colorful examples everywhere in nature.  Keep bold and bright colors in mind on your next shopping trip and treat yourself to something new.  Color is an easy and inexpensive way to add fun to your fashion... and who couldn't use a little of that?

By Kathleen Sullivan

Kathleen Sullivan, a self proclaimed lifelong lover of clothes, lives in Marshfield and works as the manager and buyer for The Clothes Line in Scituate.  With several years experience in retail, Kathleen applies a sharp fashion sense to help women of all sizes, shapes, and attitudes discover their own personal style.