Whether you love electric colours or dabble in dainty pastels, the coloured pant trend that was spotted on the runway last year is here to stay. Refurbish your wardrobe with trousers in myriad hues and sport the perfect ensemble for summer, writes Krupa Shah

Neon clothes are not meant for the person who wants to disappear in a crowd. As a fashion statement, it is for the flamboyantly bold who thrive on being the centre of attention. Gone are the days when you meticulously matched your handbag and pumps to the tint of your outfit. The colour blocking trend of going wild with hues to make striking fashion statements has made a refreshing comeback. Here is a basic guide to help you choose the perfect pair of pants and add a dollop of colour to your wardrobe.

Pants
When it comes to style, fit is more important than colour or assets. A well tailored pair of pants which is neither saggy at the bottom nor bunched up at the thighs can be your best friend. Slim fit pants look great on leggy lasses and skinny people who can carry off the likes of lemon yellow or light peach. For those who want to sport a bohemian look, palazzo colour pants are your best bet. Remember, darker colours are more slimming so if you are on the plus size opt for dark or solid tones like military green, navy blue or dark burgundy. If you are a newbie and want to tone it down a little go for aubergine or mallard green pants. But if you want to make your presence felt, there is nothing like bright red, cobalt blue, hot pink or emerald green. Let the coloured pants BE the statement. On the other hand, pastels are better suited for those who don’t want to scream from the rooftops to be noticed.

Tops
One rule to stick by is that tops in neutral shades are a safe bet when sporting coloured pants. Black on top goes great with coloured pants because it balances the look. Team your coloured pants with a basic white blouse or a black tank. You can also opt for colours like grey, brown, camel, or navy for a more formal look. If you opt for orange-coloured denims, you can team them with a white tee or a fitted cotton shirt for the workplace. You can also add a retro touch with a chequered or striped blouse or a shirt in black, blue or white to go with your hued pants. Pair your colour pop pants with printed frilly tops in floral, geometric and abstract prints for a funky twist.

Pairing Colours
If you are not wearing the right colours, you could be giving people a headache each time you pass by. Make sure you choose colours in the same frame of brightness when pairing clothes. You can experiment with either analogous or complimentary colours. Complimentary colours are any two colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red-green, red-purple and yellow-green. These opposing colours create maximum contrast and create a bold look. Analogous colours are three colours side by side on the wheel. In general, stick with the analogous colour combination rule of picking a shade and wearing it head to toe in differing tones. Embellished accessories can up the wow factor on this look.

Accessorising
Since your pants are bright and bold and ready to grab some attention, it is better to keep all accessories sober and neutral. For example, team bright pants with nude ballerinas. The monochromatic nature tricks the eye and makes your legs look leaner and longer. Keep accessories and makeup clean and neutral to ground the brighter hues. Coloured pants often look best with a shirt tucked in, fastened with a belt in a neutral tone like black or beige. You can throw in a well-fitted jacket over it to complete the look. For a casual look, opt for ankle-length pants in bright colours and team them up with a pair of ballerinas during the day and stilettos for evening wear.