Expert offers tip for plunging into fashion’s bright, bold pool.

Overwhelmed by spring’s bright colours and patterns? Unsure how to wear the new feminine silhouettes? Get fashion advice right from the top, when the Bay’s fashion director, Suzanne Timmins, comes to town to talk trends Saturday at the Bay’s Southgate store.

Spring is all about colour — big, bold colours, colour blocking and pastels, she says. But even those who are colour-averse can pick up on the trend.

“Invest in a colourful handbag; put on a colourful lipstick, or nails. Just one little pop. You do not have to be walking in head-to-toe in orange if that’s not your thing, but if it is, great.”

Black pants and a white shirt paired with a beautiful, bold bag or shoe is an easy way to incorporate colour. “Do not buy a black handbag this spring. It’s not the time to do that,” she adds with a laugh.

If you are going to wear a mix of brights, stick to three, maximum, Timmins adds. A coral jacket, a bright pink top underneath and turquoise pants are as far as you want to go, so don’t add a purple shoe, she advises.

Another interesting, new way to mix colours is to keep them all in the same family, she suggests. For example, aquatic colours of green, turquoise and royal or sunny, warm colours like coral, pink and yellow, go naturally together. “Keep it all in tones on the same side of the colour spectrum.”

The same goes for pastels, she adds. “It’s combining levels of your pastels. If you’ve got a pastel denim — a lavender jean, then a little bit stronger lavender-coloured top or a bright pop of lavender, so you’re mixing brights and pastels together within the same colour family.”

Prints can be a little more complicated, says Timmins. “Everybody can put on a printed blouse, but how do you wear the printed pant, for instance? How do you mix prints?”