Posted Sunday, September 18, 2011 by Kerrie Li - Fashion,

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Learn how you can color-block at a steal!

The color-blocking trend is continuing this fall, which is great news for the wallet not least because it’s been around since spring this year – now you can simply layer those existing pieces in your wardrobe by updating it with some new ones thrown in the mix.

As someone who just doesn’t look good in black (I know! How is that possible, right?), you won’t be hearing any complaints from me, as nothing lifts my mood more than throwing on a brightly-colored ensemble to take the workday head on. (In fact, nothing cheers me up more than the sight of someone getting startled by my neon-bright-outfitted-self appearing out of the dudgeons of the metro.)

Anyhow, mastering the whole color-blocking trend now is all about the solidly-hued, eye-catching separates – the more the merrier. Build the foundation of this trend in your wardrobe by stocking up on dependable, worthy basics that you can throw any combination of scarves, leggings, socks and shoes on to complete your look.

One collection that stood out for me on the runways was 3.1 Philip Lim’s RTW fall collection of blues and greens, which added tons of energy to the usual white and black staples. Especially fetching was this Wool-crepe Shift Dress, retailing at US$1386, with a lovely shade of green I’m going bananas over; http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2011RTW-PLIM/#slide=31

And speaking of bananas, we found a great version of it, the Zara V-Back Dress, at a fraction of the price, in an amazing mustard hue:

(Zara, $89.90)

Alternatively, if you’re not feeling quite so adventurous color-wise, you may want to ease into it and break up the colors a little with this nude and black number from ASOS:

(ASOS, $64.03)

Dress these up with heels, a vintage belt – or down with oxfords and a faux-collar necklace like the Sinatra from the DANNIJO X ManRepeller collection. See? Now you can have it (relatively) cheap and cheerful. Have fun!