Now that we’re in the last full month of winter, it’s time to think about happy fashion things, like color. Just because the weather doesn’t require you to wear brights yet doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some now without exhausting spring’s trends. Get a head start on color and transition easily into the warmer months ahead.

Patterns can be intimidating, and during a season where the gray, slushy terrain seems to prevail, it can feel wrong to cover yourself in colorful flowers. Color can be an alternate way to create interest on a daily basis. There are several ways, both safe and a little more daring, that you can make it part of your wardrobe.

The easiest and safest way to bring brightness to your look is by adding a pop of color. This is nothing new, but to bring a unique twist to it, try incorporating the color in a new place, like pants or shoes, or with different colors. Trying something new, like cobalt blue pants, has the same effect as a colorful top, but is a bit more unexpected. A pop of color in shoes is nothing new for formal wear, but consider it in your daytime wardrobe. Invest in some gray boots. They’re still neutral but they’re not brown or black so if you wear an all black outfit, gray still pops!

If one color is too routine for you, color blocking falls into the more daring category. This is easy to do with items you already have, too. You don’t have to go as extreme as the neons you see on street style blogs. If you have colored pants or a skirt, pair them with a top in a color you haven’t tried before. Go back to the kindergarten color wheel and think about complementary and supplementary colors- both work! It’s hard to go wrong with color combinations, especially if you’re using winter colors that are a little more muted. Who says those red corduroys you bought can’t go with a bright yellow sweater?

A newer way to bring color to your wardrobe, and this is daring as well, is with a monochrome outfit. This can create a lot of interest, especially during a season when the colors are not as loud. To carry out this trend, just dress in all one color, but black doesn’t count this time. If you’re wary of this, try it with neutrals. Keep in mind that the color doesn’t all have to be the same shade. If you go with a colored jean, you can wear a lighter or darker version of that color on top. This trend also allows you to interpret color in new ways. If your whole outfit is gray, instead of topping it off with a gray cardigan, try one that’s silver. Adding a little sparkle for day can go a long way.

Don’t be afraid of wearing color, and if you practice now, you’ll be a color pro come spring!