Bright Idea

The look for spring?  Bright, saturated solids.  Fashion editors went bananas over Raf Simons’ Jil Sander collection, which you’ve probably seen by now — if not in the glossies, in the award show circuit on the likes of Kate Bosworth (gorgeous) and Tilda Swinton (not so gorgeous), and it was definitely hard to miss.

{image from elle}

Personally, I fell head over heels for Cacharel on the spring/summer runway…love how the sharp tailoring grounded the flooziness of the bubblegum pink.

I’m embracing the look just as readily — it’s my way of encouraging spring to hurry on up and get here, of coaxing the warm weather into existence and banishing those winter blahs.  I’d consider pairing my new obsession of the season: this TDF raffia bead necklace in canteloupe and strawberry colors ($328, Amanda Pearl) with an epaulet-esque sleeved white top ($185, Reiss) and a structured skirt ($585, Mirabella):

Some modern-looking nude pumps ($140, Lori’s Shoes) and a bright orange bag (Kate Spade, $425, Nordstrom) finish the style:

Alternately, go for a blood-orange-red blouse ($225, DVF) tucked into a  blush-toned skirt (Vanessa Bruno, $500, Net-A-Porter):

Pair with some blush, pointy toed pumps (Louboutin, $600, Matches) and a cross-body nude bag ($170, TopShop):

And then finish with an unexpected pop of hot pink fabric flower ring (do you die?! — Kate Spade, $55, PiperLime) and a couple of hot-pink-stone-accented necklaces ($168, Wendy Mink):

Or pair a funky beaded necklace ($115, A Plus Store) with a crisp white short-sleeved blouse and some skinnies:

A cornflower blue tote (Rebecca Minkoff, on sale for $396, Zappos) and these slick woven statement heels (Pour La Victoire, $200, Heels) are the perfect add-ons:

Any of the above looks would be perfectly rounded out by a pair of citrus-hued acrylic-framed shades ($38, TopShop):

Alternately, how about a lacey statement necklace ($130, A Plus Store) with a simple white tee and a striped chiffon skirt (Alberta Ferretti, on sale for $295, TheOutnet):

Some sandy-nude flats (love the scalloping — $425, Net-A-Porter) and a nude bag (on sale for $165, Nordstrom) balance the brights nicely:

I feel like Kate Bosworth would rock this colorblocked shirtdress ($60, TopShop) by adding some statement making earrings (Ranjana Khan, $385, Kirna Zabete):

And would modernize the look  and a tangerine-colored cross-body ($295, Kate Spade):

And some cork flats (Sam Edelman, $129, Heels) and aviators (D&G, $260, Saks):

The perfect underpinnings for these looks?  Day-glo Deborah Marquit ($195 / pop — Net-A-Porter):

And how to die is this wheat colored dress ($275, Theory), brought into the 21st century with a pop of citrine?

I’m thinking of something along the lines of these platform espadrilles (I know, not yet season appropriate, but I’m dy.ing for spring, and these are on mind-blowing super sale for only $21! — Endless) and a yellow wallet/clutch ($175, Endless):

Perfect with these wood-effect Wayfarer style shades ($48, Urban Industry), and this kitschy but lovable citrus statement piece (Rosita Bonita, $139, Farfetch)

The necklace has some major cultural cache at the moment, since it looks as though it were designed for Stella McCartney’s S/S ’11 collection, which featured a borderline dowdy and decidedly ’70s-era citrus print that alternately raised spirits and eyebrows.

{Stella McCartney’s S/S ’11 Collection — image via The London Evening Standard}

Or why not go all-in Raf Simmons style, with a crisp, structured white shirt dress (this Chloe version is steeply price — but I’m sure you could find something comparable at H&M come spring — $1,340, Net-A-Porter):

Paired with some bright wedges (Jil Sander, $553, Shop Mrs. H) and a cosmetic-pouch-turned-clutch (Smythson, $180, Net-A-Porter)

This blue-centric statement necklace grounds the look a bit ($250, Amrita Singh), giving it a more wearable edge:

And finally — if you’re not quite ready to take the plunge, and just want a couple of little pops to spruce up the wardrobe, consider a BRIGHT day-glo clutch ($550, Jimmy Choo), some funky Tom Binns bracelets ($950 each, Farfetch), or maybe some sporty shades (D&G, $135, Nordstrom):