Colour Trend

Celebrity stylist Gayle Rinkoff shares a few top tips for embracing brights.

We all have a colour we tend to steer clear of when it comes to picking clothes. Maybe orange doesn’t match your skin tone, or green washes you out, but if you’re keen to up the intensity of your wardrobe, summer is the ideal time to be a little more sartorially adventurous.

Celebrity stylist Gayle Rinkoff, who has styled the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Zoe Ball, and Nadine Coyle, is keen to help us brighten everything up in manageable ways.

Use colour to accessorise

Avoid feeling – and looking – overwhelmed by starting out slowly. “Introduce something small to your outfit in a bright colour,” says Rinkoff. “It could be a scarf, a pair of socks, a belt or simply just painting your nails a brighter shade than your usual French manicure.” A brightly coloured bag or earrings would work too.

Ease into it

It’s tough going from nought to hot pink, so “wear your chosen coloured item a few times to get used to it and for other people to get used to seeing you in colour,” suggests Rinkoff.

Don’t totally scrap neutrals

“If you are a lover of neutrals you can still inject some colour by wearing khaki, blush pink, deep mustard or strong camel,” says Rinkoff – it’s all about wearing what works for you. “It is a good way of adding some colour in a palette that you are comfortable with.”

Try prints

Prints can be your sartorial friend. “A good starting point to add some colour into your wardrobe is with a print on a neutral colour background,” notes Rinkoff. “That way you are not completely in new territory. Think about what you like in a print; is it a floral, something abstract, geometric?”

Notice what impact colour has on how you feel

What we should wear should make us feel good about ourselves, and that can have as much to do with the colour as the cut and style. “If you do venture into wearing colour, think about how it made you feel that day and how many people noticed what you were wearing,” says Rinkoff. “It’s amazing the impact colour has on positivity, and how this can change your mood.”

Experiment with multiple shades of one key colour

“If you want to achieve a tonal look, pick one colour and mix up various shades of the same hue,” says Rinkoff. “This can look super chic and sophisticated.” 

Be brave – mix and match

“When you are feeling confident about wearing colour, try mixing patterns and prints,” says Rinkoff. “If you choose a base colour that appears in both, it can be really effective.” Go on, you’ll brighten everyone’s day up.

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F&F Blue Floral Midi Dress €25, visit next.ie

Floral Embroidered Boxy T-Shirt €12.99, visit newlook.com

Flora Stem Earrings €85, visit onedamelane.com 

Blue Leopard Silk Headband €40, visit niamhoneill.com 

Ines Heels €365, visit katmaconie.com * 

Ocean Underworld Pastel Silk Wrap €245, visit jenniferrothwell.com

Beluga Landor Crossbody €158, visit eu.orlakiely.com

Freya Layered Silk Dress Pink €1995, visit louisekennedy.com

Lucy Dress €286, visit carolinekilkenny.com

Celestine Dress €129, visit whistles.com * 

Yellow Check Utility Shirt €29, visit next.ie 

Red and Cream Patterned Long Skirt €16, visit Penneys 

Dusky Mulberry Pink Linen Shirt €162, visit linenshiftcompany.ie

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