Back to
Fashion

Wow Them With Color

You’ve got your Little Black Dress and your go-to sensible sandals. Your favorite khaki shorts are getting far more use than you’d like to admit and that white handbag? Well, let’s just say every spot and smudge were earned. Neutrals are nice, but isn’t it about time you busted out of your summer fashion rut with a blast of color? Here are 20 looks that will soon have you seeing red and orange and pink and green and …

By Lesley Kennedy • MORE.com Reporter

Images loading...

Ruffle Some Feathers

Wondering how to make your white jeans or denim skirt a little livelier? Add a bright turquoise top. This style works great under a cardi or blazer for work, and stands strong on its own after hours.

Banana Republic Silk Crazy Ruffle Tank, $69.50, bananarepublic.com
 
Banana Republic Silk Crazy Ruffle Tank
Banana Republic

Striking Stripes

Does your style lean toward simple solids? Give your look a jolt with this vibrant orange-red tote. And the fauna pattern? That’s electric.

kate spade new york Daycation canvas shopper, $145, Nordstrom.com

 
kate spade new york shopper
Nordstrom

Wave Runner

Can’t get to the ocean? Bring the feel of the water to you with this semi-sheer watercolor-print ruana. What’s that? Yes, we can hear the waves crashing, too.


Chico’s Caribbean Wave ruana, $69, chicos.com
 
Chico’s Caribbean Wave ruana
Chico's

Color Run

We don’t know about you, but sometimes it takes a really cute outfit to get us to haul ourselves to the gym. And, hey, whether this bright, cheery red tank inspires to you to walk a mile or run a 10K, either work-out is worth it.

Lululemon Cool racerback tank, $39, lululemon.com
 
Lululemon Cool racerback tank
Lululemon

Towel Off

Sure, your swimsuit may be a slimming black, but your beach towel? It deserves to be amped up, and pink stripes are calling your name.

Lands’ End rugby stripe beach towel, $15, landsend.com
Lands’ End rugby stripe beach towel
Lands' End

Top it Off

A cool summer hat is not only stylish –- it’s smart. Protecting your skin and hair from the hot summer heat is definitely a good thing. And the bright berry band on this straw fedora ups the fashion meter. Hats off to that.

Hat Attack fedora in natural with raspberry, $58, hatattack.com
 
Hat Attack fedora
Hat Attack

Green Day

Black? Been there. Gray? Done that. Navy? Bought the T-shirt. But deep emerald green? Now, that’s Oz-worthy.

 

Gap smocked cocoon dress, $59.95, gap.com
Gap smocked cocoon dress
Gap

Bright On

The easiest way to up your color wattage? Jewelry. This set of bright metal bangles works day or night.


Aldo Paddilla bangles, $18, aldoshoes.com
 
Aldo Paddilla bangles
Aldo

Red Hot

An open-toe espadrille is a summer must, but make it poppy red for truly stand-out style.

 

Dolce Vita Jollen wedge, $90, piperlime.com
 
Dolce Vita Jollen wedge
Piperlime.com

Orange Crush

Let color bloom with this party-worthy orange floral lace dress. It's a romantic burst of bright style.  

 

Moulinette Soeurs Horkelia shift dress, $178, anthropologie.com
 
Moulinette Soeurs Horkelia shift dress
Anthropologie

Peace, Love & Fashion

Hippie gets a little haute with this pink and red tie-dye top.  

 

J.Jill tie-dye tank, $29, jjill.com
 
J.Jill tie-dye tank
J.Jill

Sing the Blues

You will look so money when you're carrying this bright wallet.

 

Coach Kristin slim envelope wallet, $248, coach.com
 
Coach Kristin slim envelope wallet
Coach

Purple Passion

Tired of that plain silver or clear water bottle? Snooze. It’s time for a flood of color and we’re drinking up this limited edition bottle with lavender and fuschia flowers. Thirsty yet?

Sigg Summer Breeze water bottle, $21.99, sigg.com
 
Sigg water bottle
Sigg

Pretty in Pink

Flip flops are the perfect place to inject some brightness. This pink style -– inspired by colorful peacocks –- adds the perfect amount of whimsy to a casual afternoon or evening.

Havaianas Slim Peacock in Tulip, $24, havaianas.com
 
Havaianas Slim Peacock in Tulip
Havaianas

Slim in Salmon

Shy away from shorts, but it's too hot for long pants? These skimmers are the perfect in-between choice. And the fun salmony shade gives your outfit just the right amount of polished pop.

Talbots twill skimmer, $69.50, talbots.com
 
Talbots twill skimmer
Talbots

Made in the Shades

Watch your back, Barbie. These sunglasses may resemble our favorite doll’s must-have accessory, but the square frames and inexpensive price are all ours. Ken not included.

Top Shop hot pink oversize sunglasses, $32, topshop.com
Top Shop hot pink oversize sunglasses
Top Shop

Flower Power

Make a simple white tank or T-shirt blossom with color by adding a statement necklace in a bright shade like turquoise. The rhinestone-covered flower on this five-row style adds a little extra summer sparkle.

 

Anna & Ava Marrakesh turquoise beaded necklace, $48, dillards.com
 
Anna & Ava Marrakesh turquoise beaded necklace
Dillard's

Rainbow Bright

Why stop at one bright shade when you can find a skirt in a whole rainbow of colors? This tiered crinkle silk chiffon number is perfect for packing. And, trust us, you’ll want to take it everywhere.

Alice + Olivia Shannon silk skirt, $484, saksfifthavenue.com
 
Alice + Olivia Shannon silk skirt
Saks Fifth Avenue

Sunshine of Your Love

Is there another color that says summer quite like bright yellow? This foldover clutch in a stamped lizard finish will quickly become your go-to bag.

Ann Taylor foldover clutch, $118, anntaylor.com
 
Ann Taylor foldover clutch
Ann Taylor

Technicolor Dream

We’re not sure what wows us more: the chic look of this color-blocked patent and platform sandal or it’s incredible price. All we can say is, yes, please.

Silvia Tcherassi for Payless Genova sandal, $69.99, payless.com

 

WANT MORE SUMMER STYLE STEALS? CHECK OUT 10 T-SHIRTS THAT LOOK CHIC, NOT SLOPPY.
 
 
Silvia Tcherassi for Payless Genova sandal
Payless
First Published June 14, 2011

What’s your reaction?

Comments

Post new comment

Click to add a comment

MORE SLIDESHOWS:

 

Smart Savings