Fashion: Block colours

If monochrome is for minimalists and busy prints are for maximalists, then bright colours are the happy medium.

Stick to simple silhouettes and clean lines and and your chosen shade can create a big impact with very little styling effort.

No matter what the weather forecast, bright colours instantly inject a burst of sunshine into your wardrobe.

And with the trend for colour blocking set to continue from summer through to autumn, stick to bold, primary shades for a look that won't date.

Wean yourself off black and get creative with colour.

Head-to-toe tint

Turn up the colour volume by working separates in the same hue for matchy-matchy chic. Sticking to one key colour has styling benefits if you're lacking in height or want to shave off a few pounds.

"Wearing the same colour top-to-toe will elongate the body and make it look slimmer," explains Veronique Henderson, Colour Me Beautiful creative director.

Bright suiting is the easiest way to work the cohesive colour look, whether it's trousers, skirt or shorts. Try a power red or dazzling cobalt blue.

If you're wearing a bright dress, create double the impact by matching your accessories in a similar shade.

Colour cocktail

If one bright colour just isn't enough, then experiment with the clashing effects of multiple bold blocks.

"If you are tall and have a column body shape, you're better off 'breaking' up the body with two or three colours," Henderson advises.

"Two colours work well to balance out rectangular or apple body shapes but just make sure the 'break' doesn't happen at the widest point of your body."

Orange and pink make for a stunning summer combo, while red and blue are a good autumnal tag team.

If you're lacking in clashing creativity, cheat! Let the high street do the hard work for you with clothes and accessories that are pre-colour blocked.

Subtle shade

Head-turning colour isn't for everyone, but there are still ways to venture into rainbow territory without requiring sunglasses to shield your eyes.

Team a bold separate with neutral colours like beige, black or white to instantly tone down the brightness and make it feel more wearable.

If colour still feels like a scary prospect, add accent accessories to the mix - a bright bag, shoes or scarf will work uplifting wonders on a bland, colour-free outfit.

Once you start wearing colour, you can build up until you reach your comfort zone with bold clothing. If you're attempting to cover up your crayon brights with a huge overcoat, you've probably gone too far.

Rainbow styling

Pick the right palette for you. Colour Me Beautiful's Veronique Henderson guides you through the colour maze:

:: Code red

Everyone can wear red but getting the right undertone is crucial - is it warm (yellow-based) or cool (blue-based)? It's a great colour to wear at the end of the week when your energy levels may be flagging.

:: Go green

Again here, you will have cool greens and warm greens - if in doubt, stick to to teals and turquoises that are colours that suit everyone. Wearing green conveys a sense of calm and reassurance.

:: True blue

A medium shade of blue, such as sapphire, is a great colour to brighten up your wardrobe throughout the year. Blue conveys trust, peace and order.

:: Sunshine yellow

Perfect for zesting up your wardrobe but citrus shades are essentially suited to warm skin tones. Wearing yellow is an instant shortcut to make you feel summery and renewed.

:: Punchy pink

A great colour to wear when you are feeling a little off-colour, as it gives a flattering lift to any complexion. Wearing pink brings out femininity and suggests gentleness and empathy.

:: Eye-popping purple

Purple is known as a 'universal colour', that is a colour that suits all, however the fabric will affect the colour. A silk or velvet will show purple in all its brilliance, whilst a linen or wool will tone it down.

Fashion flash

:: Style set

It's game, set and match to Mrs Beckham. The designer secured her place as queen of the fashion court at the Wimbledon final wearing a lace chemise-style dress by Louis Vuitton. Since Murray's win, John Lewis has reported soaring sales of similar silk slip dresses with black chemises up 35%. Jo Hooper, head of womenswear buying, says, "The trend for loungewear as outerwear first made waves back in spring/summer 12, when international fashion houses put silk pyjama-style tops on the catwalk. Darker colours are proving most popular and our customers are buying them to wear both in the boardroom and the bedroom."

:: Vacation Faux Pas

Forget tourist hot spots, keep your eyes peeled for crimes against fashion on holiday. Cut-out swimsuits have been voted the worst holiday fashion trend by men and women across the UK, according to a new survey by Sunshine.co.uk travel agency. The slinky swimwear that guarantees dodgy tan lines even beat the classic 'socks and sandals' look sported by males abroad. Speedos also made the top three of the bad taste vacation line-up.