THERE'S no point pretending otherwise; not all fashion suits everyone. That's why any sensible observer of the constantly changing scene will quickly learn to pick and choose among what is on offer in any one season. The wise buyer then selects only those pieces which fit easily into an existing wardrobe and won't be the cause of either shame or discomfort.
So let's not believe that this summer's love affair with citrus shades is going to win universal favour. These are the colours of 1996: orange, lime and lemon. They're bright, sassy and as refreshing as the fruits which inspired them. They're also a change from the more usual tones of beige and off white that tend to dominate in clothing at this time of year.
But they're not obligatory. Only the very young and those who possess strong skin colouring can get away with wearing a lot of these tones. Pale Irish flesh tends to look drained when put beside such dashing shades and nobody wants to look washed out in the sunshine. Accordingly, the appeal of citrus is always going to be circumscribed here, particularly when this is so obviously a single season fad, liable to look dreadfully dated in six months' time.
However, there are ways of incorporating lemon and orange into your summer wardrobe without looking ridiculous or spending a great deal of money - simply ration the quantity. It isn't necessary to dress entirely in citrus to enter into the spirit of the season. Instead, just pick out a few pieces and add them to your usual selection of summer wear These colours may look challenging but in fact they work very well with plenty of other shades in the palette.
Combine them with neutrals and they introduce just the right element of zest. During the day, for example, an orange Tshirt will work well with other items in white, while in the evening, lime or lemon looks terrific alongside navy. The trick is in selectivity; use citrus to give a boost to your dressing rather than let it set the pace. That way you'll fruitfully demonstrate an awareness of fashion's mood without looking like a proper lemon.