Do the bright thing

Never underestimate the power of colour! Sure, beautiful brights can boost your style – but now experts say that wearing colour can lift your confidence, too. Here, we show three readers how to brave the bold…

Three readers get a new look

BE SEEN IN GREEN

Make a silky midi dress top of your wishlist for summer. Day or night, work or weekend, a feelgood dress in gorgeous green is a great way to turn heads at every event.

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Start the season on a bright note and clash your way to a stylish new look. The secret to clashing hues is not to overdo it. Simple and smart is key, so the sleek tailoring of a trouser suit works like a dream.

Bright accessories = instant style boost.

HIGHLIGHTER HUES

Bold-as-can-be neons are big news this season. If you want a serious style shake-up, go all-out and colour clash your blouse and trousers, like Ali. Opt for smart tailoring to keep the outfit looking sleek and sophisticated.

HEAD TO TOE

The easiest way to wear colour from top to toe? A jumpsuit, of course! Choose one in a high-impact hue to make a fashion statement. Did we mention that wearing one shade all over has the ability to make your body look longer and leaner? Win-win!

Make-up can add colour, too - try bright nail varnish with a bright lipstick.

BRIGHT SPARK

New to colour? Try one statement piece to totally transform your look. Brave the brights in a seriously showstopping skirt or pair of trophy trousers. Just tuck in your favourite jumper or cotton shirt and go!

PASTEL PERFECTION

Pretty pastels aren’t going anywhere this season, so embrace your feminine side and wear them head-to-toe. If your skin has cool undertones, try pale pinks, apricots and blues, and if you have warmer undertones, try soft yellows and greens.

Mix light layers with luxe fabrics.

CLASH COURSE

Yellow with lilac? Yes! Get colour confident by mixing and matching all-new hues. If you’re feeling brave, try one of spring’s prettiest pairings: yellow with lilac, pink with red or cobalt with orange are the new power pairings to learn to love.

EASY DOES IT

Feeling colour shy? A splash of zingy orange can bring a new energy to your neutrals, which makes it the perfect bright for beginners. Use it in place of black to give beige, navy, white and grey pieces a boost.

Sunshine yellow is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

CLAIRE QUALTROUGH, 43, from St Albans, is a stay-at-home mum.

Blazer, £65; trousers, £36, both 6-18, River Island. Blouse, £20, 12-32, Simply Be. Earrings, £4, Matalan. Bag, £33, Dune. Shoes, £65, 3-8, Autograph at Marks and Spencer

Dress, £239, xs-l, Primrose Park. Bangle, £24, Branch Jewellery. Balloon, from a selection, Bubblegum Balloons

Jumpsuit, £140, 6-22, Boden. Earrings, £18, Oliver Bonas. Sandals, £225, 2-9, L.k.bennett ALI SUSS-FRANCKSEN, 52, from Harpenden, runs dress hire and personal styling service Forever Cinderella.

Blouse, £30, 6-18, River Island. Trousers, £79, 6-22, MW by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams. Earrings, as before. Heels, £75, 3-8, Dune

Blouse, £32, 4-16, Miss Selfridge Petite. Skirt, £49, 4-16, Topshop Petite. ➺ Heels, £256, 2-9, Chie Mihara

Blouse, £38, 6-18, River Island. Skirt, £36, 4-18, Asos. Earrings, £18, Accessorize. Shoes, £256, 2-9, Chie Mihara

Blazer, £140, 6-16, French Connection. Blouse, £89, 10-18, Harpenne. Trousers, £20, 6-22, Dorothy Perkins. Earrings, £18, Accessorize. Sandals, £16, 3-8, Matalan OLIVIA SHAW, 31, from Stratfordupon-avon, is a teacher. Cardigan, £59, 6-24, Marks and Spencer. Shirt, £59; trousers, £69, both 6-18, Cos. Earrings, £18, Accessorize. Watch, £139, Olivia Burton. Shoes, £45, 3-9, Next

Photography Liz Mcaulay Words and production Helen Johnson Styling Anne Hartnett Styling assistant Lucy Trievnor Styling intern Nicole Hutt Hair Jo Mckenna Make-up Lindsey Poole With thanks to Spring Studios and Bubblegum Balloons