All too often I’m a monochrome girl, too scared to add too much colour to my wardrobe, sticking to shades of black and grey or deep jewel toned pieces that aren’t too risky. This season, however, the plethora of multi coloured bright colour blocked pieces in shop windows, magazines and blogs have inspired me to try and add a little colour to my life.

There’s something about this look that makes me think of holidays in hot countries, of lounging around all day, then getting glammed up in bright tan enhancing colours you’d never wear at home and heading on out for cocktails. This is something I like to think of a lot, especially on boring grey days or during boring grey meetings.

The colours you choose if you want to give this a go will depend on your colouring.

As a rough guide the darker your skin tone the brighter and deeper the colours you can get away with. So, whilst a blonde haired, peaches and cream complexioned girl might try blocking a pastel pink, with a baby blue if you have an olive complexion and raven tresses you might try hot pink and electric blue.

If you want to wear colours that don’t really go with your skin tone then keeping them to accessories or wearing a more flattering colour closer to your face is worth a go!

So here I’ve put together some examples of how to work colour blocking for Work, Rest & Play and keep that summer holiday feeling with you!

WORK

Don’t be afraid of colour for work, the key to keeping it professional is to make sure you stick to simple, smart and structured shapes and keep the look grounded with black accessories. I love this electric blue peplum jacket from Red Herring, the peplum detail keeps it bang on trend and it will easily transfer from work to casual.

REST

Keeping it casual for a day time look, team a colour blocked tunic with distressed jeans and high top trainers for a slightly 80s twist on the look. A big slouchy clashing bag to keep all your stuff in is an essential. This one is Marc by Marc Jacobs because I like it and sometimes I like to day dream about things I can’t afford, but High Street stores have similar bags in bright colours.

PLAY

Just for the record I LOVE this outfit. This is exactly what’s in my head when I think of that cocktails as the sun sets over the sea type of colour blocking. Clashing pink, red and orange for evening gives a really striking look. This dress is a vintage 1970s hot pink dress with a draped over layer from Retro Chick, it’s on Ebay at the moment for £19.99, I adore these Jimmy Choo shoes, I will never get to own them, unless I win the lottery of course, Faith has a similar, more affordable pair. A statement clutch and beaded bracelet mean it isn’t over accessorised but still packs a punch!