For fall and next spring, pants are demanding a lot of attention -- they're bright and colorful. To break out of your usual blues, we went to three local boutiques for advice on how to wear the hot denim hues.

DABBLE WITH THE TREND

Many of the new colors are actually pretty subtle. If you try a bright shade of blue or green, you can start to get comfortable with the idea. "[These jeans] are like a neutral, almost gray," said Jada Breuer, owner of Karma. Even though these are straight jeans, you also can try a colored jean with a wider leg.

Alex Barnard, shop clerk at Karma, wears Level 99 jeans ($94) with Tulle tee ($46), Fever sweater ($88), Fossil boots ($156). Bella the dog, model's own. Karma, 867 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-291-1997.

PAIR WITH NETURALS

Most people are used to wearing printed and colorful tops with basic pants. Now you want to reverse that concept by wearing gray, brown, camel, black, white and navy shirts with a pop of color on the bottom. "You can wear graphic on top or just a white or black tee," suggested Thao Nguyen, owner of Parc Boutique.

Hannah Alley, shop assistant at Parc Boutique, wears Blank NYC jeans ($80), Mink Pink striped shirt ($70), Aryn K. jacket ($99) and Minnetonka Moccasin booties ($55). 320 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-353-4966.

GO FOR COLOR BLOCKING

For fall, anything goes, colorwise: Wear red jeans with a hot pink blouse and teal jeans with royal blue sweater, or play with monochromatic by pairing rust jeans with a camel jacket. Amber Toste, owner of Houndstooth, suggested "mixing and matching similar color palettes." Put jewel tones with jewel tones and primary hues with other primaries.

Amber Toste, owner of Houndstooth, wears J Brand 811 jeans in aubergine ($169) with WKSHP tee ($44), Wooden Ships cardigan ($92) and Sam Edelman boots ($210). 5749 Egan Dr., Savage, 952-440-2807 and 582 Prairie Center Dr., Eden Prairie, 952-261-2974.

PICK OF THE WEEK: KNIT BLAZER ($89.90), POLKA DOT BLOUSE ($59.90), RIB LEGGINGS ($35.90), BLUCHER SHOES ($89.90), ZARA.COM

Fans of Spanish-retailer Zara have long campaigned for the fast-fashion company to open a location in Minnesota. While that wish hasn't come true yet (are you listening, Mall of America?), you can now shop Zara's new e-commerce site with free standard delivery and returns. The clothing and accessories for men, women and kids are slightly more expensive than most fast-fashion lines, but the pieces are also higher in quality and will last longer than one season.

THURSDAY

Lakeville Ladies Night kickoff event: Wear your favorite football team colors and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Then pick up a game card and start shopping the area, followed by additional prizes at the starting point.

5 to 9 p.m., Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Av., Lakeville, 952-985-4640.

FRIDAY

Full Fashion Panic show: With an emphasis on the alternative looks of steampunk and cosplay, a runway show will open the Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits conference on Japanese popular culture.

6:30 p.m., Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Av. S., Mpls., schoolgirlsandmobile suits.com.

Heinz Brummel opening: The local sculptor and jeweler will be on hand with his latest creations.

6 to 9 p.m., Three Rooms, Galleria, Edina, 952-926-1774.

SATURDAY

Red Carpet Glamour makeup event: See makeup, skin care and fragrance trends and insider secrets from industry experts.

8 to 10 a.m., Nordstrom, Mall of America, Bloom ington, $15 tickets redeemable toward cosmetics purchase during the event, RSVP,952-883-2121.

NEXT WEEK

Vintage Did It First: This event will showcase original vintage looks similar to those featured on fall 2011 runways by Louis Vuitton and Gucci. During the event, there will be a 10 percent storewide discount.

7 p.m. Tue., Blacklist Vintage, 25 E. 26th St., Mpls., 612-872-8552.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 • sglassman@startribune.com • Follow Glassman on Twitter:@SaraRGlassman