Pale pastels and ice cream hues are set to be big news next season but you don’t have to wait until Spring to wear them. With a plethora of subtly shaded knits, dresses and accessories available on the high street right now you can start to freshen up your wardrobe in styles that will see you through to the warmer months that are (hopefully!) just on the horizon.

The past few seasons have featured some bold colour trends at both ends of the spectrum; from fluorescent pops through to muted neutrals, the choices have been many and varied. The rainbow of colours available for Spring/Summer is set to continue but this time with the addition of some paler shades that may well appeal if you prefer a more subtle approach to wearing colour.

Pastels Are Perfect For…

My feeling is that you can wear ANY colour and look fabulous, it’s just about understanding how and where to put them to complement your colour characteristics.

Generally speaking, if you have a fair skin tone and light hair/eyes then pastel shades are going to look great on you. Wear them next to your face/on your top half and experiment with different shades to see which particular tones really make your skin glow and eyes sparkle. All colours have different undertones so you may need to use a little trial and error to figure out which tones are best for you.

If you have blue eyes then try an icy blue like this delicious oversized V neck sweater from & Other Stories -£65, I guarantee your eyes will POP!

If your skin tone is more of a medium depth, with hair that is mid brown (and maybe highlighted/low-lighted) and eyes that are green/brown then pastel shades worn right next to your face could be draining. If this is the case then try wearing your pastels on your bottom half instead and complement them with more of a medium-depth shade on your top half…

This minty-green pleated skirt from Zara will look gorgeous worn now with a dark green knit on your top half and can then be paired with a t-shirt and trainers when the weather gets warmer.

If your colouring is deep and rich then I would recommend wearing paler shades in contrast with darker or brighter colours to balance your colour characteristics. This bold dress from Jigsaw does the job perfectly with its pattern in a mixture of pale blue and cream combined with a vibrant green. Again this can be styled with knee high boots and a leather jacket to wear now but will also look great with wedges or trainers in the Spring.

When Subtle Is More Your Style…

Looking to incorporate the pastel trend in a more subtle way? Go for an accessory! I find pale pinks to be extremely versatile and this DKNY cross-body bag is perfect to pair with any outfit to give it a little lift.

As with any ‘trend’ my advice is only to embrace it if it feels congruent with your own signature style - any item you buy should be able to integrate seamlessly into your wardrobe and I always tell my clients they should be able to style it in three different ways with items they already own. 

That way you know your new addition is going to get worn lots and in a variety of ways!

You can connect with Anna on Instagram @annamewes or Facebook via her page Anna Mewes - Personal Stylist. 

View Anna’s personal styling services over at www.annamewes.com