How to Wear the Spring Pastel Trend Right This Second

Spearmint can be tricky to pair with other colors, which is why we love using faded green as a subtle addition to a black and white ensemble. If you do want to try a more colorful getup, however, we suggest keeping your outfit within the cool color family (think light blue, pale purple, soft gray, etc). No doubt, it will look very minty fresh.

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Pale pinks are a gorgeous alternative to all-white everything and are much less likely to wash out paler complexions. They get even more flattering as you move along the spectrum toward the omnipresent millennial pink. Mix and match pieces in a variety of shades to create more depth than your average monochrome statement. Then add a pop of cherry red with your purse or white accent boots, if you really want to commit to the color moment.

Shop similar styles: Court & Rowe coat ($199; $120); Daisy Street dress ($40); Gucci bag ($890); Jeffrey Campbell boots ($210)

Is there any better pairing than the sea and the sky? Maybe (see: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen), but as far as color combos go, this is one duo that’s hard to beat. These hues are at their best when done in flowy fabrics like silk, chiffon or lightweight cotton, as opposed to heavy leather, denim or wool. As for which shade to wear, you can refer to one of the oldest styling tricks in the book: Wear darker shades (in this case, sky blue) anywhere you want to minimize, like your hips, and lighter ones (seafoam green) wherever you want to draw the eye.

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Contrary to what you may have heard, yellow is actually super flattering. Simply figure out the specific hue (or hues) that look best with your skin tone and don’t stray from them. (Hint: Cooler shades like lemon work best on lighter skin tones, while darker complexions should lean toward warmer shades, such as buttercup.) You also don’t have to wear it from head to toe. Slip a yellow jacket on over light blue jeans or pair a gray knit with yellow trousers to ease your way in.

Shop similar styles: Remain Birger Christensen coat ($865); Missguided sweater ($47; $28); Victoria, Victoria Beckham pants ($380)

Pairing your sorbet palette with a crisp pattern like houndstooth can help add a little extra ’tude to the mix. Another method for toning down the sweetness? Look for pastels that have been incorporated into linear prints like plaid or checks. Even better if you wear all those sharp corners in one ensemble.

Shop similar styles: Lulus blazer ($74); Equipment shirt ($230); See by Chloé pants ($370; $185); New Balance sneakers ($100)

Now that you’ve got the basics under your belt, you can start to pile on the pastels like a pro. Lilac with pistachio? Ice blue with soft pink? No problem. If you’re still not quite sure how to pull off this subtle color trend without looking like a dyed egg, stick to contrary combos (like pink with blue or yellow with purple). Also, choose pieces that have a sharp or masculine edge, like a tailored trench, straight-leg trousers or a square-neck top, rather than frilly dresses or ballet flats. The effect of the harsher silhouettes and sharper lines will be more sophisticated and less Easter Bunny–inspired.

Shop similar styles: Talbots coat ($179); Tory Burch blouse ($498); Theory blazer ($475) and pants ($275); Charles & Keith heels ($46)