The Style Front: Spring 2012 Brights: Orange Crush

Can you believe it? Spring is almost here! Temps are rising, and it’s staying lighter later! (thank you DST!)

For me, Spring (and Fall) is my favorite season, though back in NY it never seemed to stick around for too long. It allows you to layer on your favorite pieces without having to cover them up with a big winter coat! Now that I live in LA, I love that I get to do that more often - and essentially year ‘round!

Spring brings on a feeling of a fresh start, a new beginning, and each year we can see those moods reflected in fashion. Somehow fashion is telling me that 2012 is going to be a good year, because this year...

it’s all about color!

And...those colors are showing up in every shade from pastels to brights, and in different combinations from being paired with neutrals or mixed and matched (color blocked) together.

I wanted to explore the colors of Spring 2012 and decided to start with what is probably the scariest of them all - Orange!

Here are a few pieces I found around the web...

Michael Kors silk chiffon dress, $3,595

Wallis tie top, £20
Jil Sander high rise shorts, $500
Rag & bone zipper jeans, $185
ELEVEN pari, $130
Oasis lace skirt, $75
Ganni lace up shoes, $304
Ash chunky heels, $285
Marc by Marc Jacobs orange strappy sandals, $140
Zara heeled sandals, $50
Nine west wedge, $49
Rebecca Minkoff cross body handbag, $195
Nine west handbag, $69
Orange handbag, $46
Emilio Pucci gold plated jewelry, $760
Orange watch, £202
Kate Spade resin necklace, $148
H M wide ring, £3.99
Karen Walker Eyewear neon orange sunglasses, $220
Essie nail polish, $8
Melie Bianco Angela Large Lock And Key Handbag Orange, $99
Jessica Simpson Alexy, $98
Diba Dig It, $69

Don’t think you can wear orange? This may actually be true as it works best on those with warm undertones...but don’t fret, because you can still bring Orange into your wardrobe, just keep it away from your face! Stick to bottoms and accessories and you’ll be good to go.

Here’s some inspiration on how to take a pair of orange shorts and dress them up or down.

Alexander McQueen sheer top, $1,320

Sleeveless top, $50
Jil Sander highwaisted shorts, $500
Leopard print heels, £35
MICHAEL Michael Kors espadrilles wedge, $120
Wet Seal gladiator shoes, $20
Zara heeled sandals, $50
Prada zippered tote bag, $2,950
A P C drawstring handbag, $575
Kenneth Jay Lane cuff jewelry, $112
Monsoon tri color jewelry, £20
MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors jewelry, $85
The Row square frame sunglasses, £240
Vince Camuto oversized sunglasses, $45

In order to keep it sophisticated, and not look like a fashion victim, make sure you pair your brights with neutrals as shown above. Denim is always a good option, and the return of the denim shirt is making it even easier. With all the options and shades from chambray to dark denim, you are bound to find one to complement your wardrobe.

If adding an Orange shoe or flatform brogue is more your style check out these outfit inspirations...