Image via boisdejasmin

If you have to take one element to focus on this season, how about color? Just like our bodies need a fresh dose of Vitamin C after the long winters we have to endure, there is no time like the present to give your closet a nice splash of citrus. Spring forward into something refreshing and rejuvenating!

I am a true believer in wearing colors that naturally radiate your personality. In the colder months, we all tend to drift toward the grays, blacks and browns in the closet. I say break free!

Follow these steps to really take a bite out of the citrus trend:

1. Focus on your hair, eyes and skin. If you have pink undertones, then most pastel shades will wash you out. "Sickly" and "sallow" are not words you want describing you. You'll look great in bright blues, pinks and greens---think jewel tones. If your undertones are yellow or green, you'll rock more earthy hues like orange, red and lime green.

2. Choose a color that inspires you to stand out or be outgoing in conversation. For example, I love aqua---it makes my eye color pop! Therefore, it’s a natural conversation starter. Donning this shade makes me feel confident, and when you're confident, you don't mind being noticed.

3. This year's citrus no-brainer: Be inspired by Tangerine Tango, the Pantone color of the year! If you want to challenge your closets with an in color, visit the Pantone website for seasonal changes. This is how many fashion designers start the creations of their lines, so you will be shopping smart, baby!

It’s time to burst out of the boo-ooring and blossom with brightness! This is how I am inspiring my own wardrobe:

Simple Touches
Color can be scary. It won’t bite you, but you should be cautious as to how much you take on. If you are nervous about a sudden abundance of va-va-voom color sprayed all over your ensemble, then sport a small pop of color in a clutch or a bracelet.

Photo courtesy of Kate Spade

Going for BOLD
If you are a little bit daring, I promise this challenge will pay off in raising your self-confidence. If you want to go big and bold, practice the art of color blocking or wear a color with some shock in an all-over piece like a shirt or dress.

All-over color from H&M; citrus legwear via Hudson Denim

Remember this: Wardrobe changes can be scary. But no matter what you're wearing, if you let your true "colors" shine through, you will blossom as your true self. Honor the personality you were born with. The more you resist your natural brilliance and conform to something un-real, the more you will lose your sense of self. Find your truth, and speak it out loud! Wear it out loud!

Your Stylist at Hand,

Katherine

Katherine Brown is the owner of Chanari, a personal-styling and life-coaching company. She received her professional degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Her style inspirations include the spunk of Audrey Hepburn, the classic chicness of Jackie O., and the flair to be daring of Sarah Jessica Parker. She lets KC Magazine readers shop her wisdom in the exclusive "Style Guru" blog.