OK, you are not into Barbie any more and Miami is too down south, so hot pink is really not your thing. Think again, why limit your styling to a life in gray and black when there are many bursting Popsicle colors to be exploited in order to bring some passion into that rainy morning?

When it comes to wearing hot pink, one needs to be careful and take few things into consideration: your age, skin tone and hair color and your level of fashion courage. If you are in your teens or early twenties you can pull of blocks of pink in everyday attire: think converse shoes, mini skirts, tights, the list is endless. Other side of twenties and early thirty means more professional and a bit less playful styling. Nice tailored dress matched with black belt and shoes, or a jacket over a floral dress will give instant freshness to your look.

When it comes to hair and skin tone, the general rule is that darker skin and hair can get away with more pink as it makes them stand out and it compliments them. Blonds can be swamped with too much strong color and end up looking cheap.

Although hot pink is an intense and overwhelming, it can be easily coordinated. There is the classic approach of keeping things demure by adding accessories in non color, like black or gray. On the other hand, white and pink can be quite dangerous, just think sixties air hostess. The key is to pick an item you like and that dresses you well, like jacket, a skirt or a dress and work around them: jeans looks great with any color, stripes and flower patterns work really well too just make sure their colors are complementary or neutral. Why not try it brown belt or boots, to add warmth and fall chic to the outfit?

If you think pink only in terms of accessories, think only one or two at the time. Nice bracelet or a scarf are excellent, but stay away from anything looking too plastic like hoop earrings or vinyl bag.

If you always considered wearing but couldn’t bring your self to do it, try it on your lips or fingertips first. Hot pink makeup accents are great with summer clothes and they make you feel younger and more playful: a nice pedicure can be great way of endorsing this energy bomb of a color.