How to create dynamic duos

Black may be forever chic, but there's nothing like color to lift your spirits. Lots of color.

High-end designers have been sending models sauntering down the runways in lush, saturated hues worn in duos and trios. Now accessible stores such as J.Crew and Express are following suit, filling their window displays with bold swatches of color and selling wearable basics in complementary shades.

Not all runway trends make it to the masses, but wearing color on color is something any woman can do -- even on a budget. Carefully crafted ensembles using two or more vibrant colors look current, classy and decidedly fashion-forward.

If you'd like to try this trend, here are some of the season's best color pairings, most of which can be toned down with a few strategically placed neutrals.

Choose your shade

First, determine which colors work best with your skin tone, then keep those colors near your face.

To test a color, hold a solid block of it next to your face, then study yourself in a mirror in a well-lit room. See if the color brightens or dulls the color of your eyes. What does it do to your hair? Does it bring out your natural highlights or make your hair appear drab? Does it make you look healthy and robust, or wan and sickly?

Make it work

Even if a color makes you look like you've got the flu, there are plenty of work-arounds.

If a color washes you out, create a buffer by wearing a scarf or necklace in a contrasting color. Patterns are always more forgiving than solids, so you can opt for a pattern that includes the offending color rather than a solid block of that color. And because all of these color pairings have neutral partners, you can make an outfit of neutrals and dress it up with colorful accessories.

Cobalt has been white hot for more than a year, but this season we're seeing it paired with equally electric kelly green. Both colors have cool undertones, so they work well for women with fair complexions. One caution: This color combo is considered preppy, so if you don't want to look like you're headed to a polo match, find a print that includes both colors rather than wearing solids of the pair.

Wear with: White accents and silver accessories. (Cool grays work well if white strikes you as too summery.)

Women who are flattered by autumnal tones should be able to wear this pairing with an emphasis on orange. Women flattered by cool colors can opt for more pink.

Wear with: Khaki and camel are ideal neutrals. Cognac leather accessories add depth. Warm grays can also work, but avoid incorporating lots of black. (It will suck the life out of both colors.) Leopard print and other animal motifs in rich neutrals look amazing with pink and orange.

Gopher fans will be thrilled to hear that this color combo is a hit this season. Mustard is a tough color for many women, but it looks lovely on many black women and some redheads. To make this pairing easy, keep the maroon on the top and the mustard on the bottom, or relegate the mustard to accessories and accents.

Wear with: This color pairing works especially well when a third color is introduced, such as teal or dark purple. If wearing three bold colors feels overwhelming, chocolate and cognac can act as neutral anchors.

This dynamic duo is open to interpretation. Hot pink and grape purple make for a bold, bright mix, but dusty rose and muted violet work equally well. Because this pairing can be made in so many shades, it can flatter almost any complexion.

This pairing of rich jewel tones is surprisingly versatile because burgundy works for warm complexions and teal for cool ones. When worn in combination, these colors bring out the best in each other: Teal looks cool and clear, burgundy deep and lush.

Wear with: Most neutrals (including gray, chocolate brown, camel, cognac and taupe) work well with this pair, but black and white typically appear too stark. A third color works wonders. Try mustard, purple or magenta.