Embracing colour: this spring, check out the hottest fashion trends in pants

As spring fashions hit the stores, a lot of bright colours will be on display, especially when it comes to pants. But how can women wear brightly coloured pants without looking too showy?

The truth is, almost anyone can wear a brightly-coloured pair of pants. You just need to pick the right style for your shape, life and personality. The key rule is to always remember that the eye will be drawn to the bright pants first, so be sure to balance the rest of your outfit accordingly.

Red is the particular colour that catches my eye this spring, and a pair of red pants will be added to my closet very soon. I like to ensure that most everything in my wardrobe can work at least a couple of different ways. So here are some weekend and weekday ideas on how to wear red pants in a skinny jean, ankle pant or wide leg option. All the pants shown are available in local Vancouver stores.

The Skinny Jean

This is the most popular style for spring this year. Plum Clothing has great red (and purple and green) skinny jeans by Mavi, available up to size 34, for fashionistas of every shape.

For the weekend, try pairing skinny red jeans with a long white t-shirt and on-trend striped scarf. Add a pair of casual wedge shoes to help elongate the leg even further. For the weekday, skinny red jeans are perfect for casual Fridays, paired with a polka dot blouse, pin stripe blazer and rocking blue heels. You've already embraced colour with the pants, so take it even further.

The Ankle Pant

These flat front, side-zipper ankle pants from Talbots remind me of a 1950s Audrey Hepburn. These Curvy Fit pants are available up to size 16 as well as in Petite and Plus Sizes, because -- let's face it -- we don't all look like Audrey.

On the weekend, be a little wild and add a striped red t-shirt and some leopard-print ballerina flats. Add a great cuff and a spot of contrast through a turquoise ring. For the weekday, pair these trousers with a ruffled blouse and a structured blazer. A chain belt brings attention and definition to the waist, and the colour-block shoes add some weight to help even it all out.

The Wide Leg

A wide leg pant can balance out wider hips, and somehow it appears dressier than any other of the options. These Modern Boot pants from the Gap are 100% cotton and available up to size 16. (Note that they aren't available online in Canada -- you'll have to hunt them down in-store or on the US Gap site.)

For the weekend look, mix some patterns with a black and white striped, tunic-length t-shirt and an animal-print scarf, topped with a classic denim jacket. The casual wedges once again lengthen the leg. Sensing the pattern, here? For the weekday, a hot pink blouse creates a strong colour-blocked outfit, and brings attention to your upper half. A great pair of red heels will make your legs look like they're going on forever. With two such strong colours together, keep the accessories simple. As the cliché goes, less is more.