Warm weather means bright colors, crisp whites and metallic accents. The window displays in the mall or your local shopping district change color regularly, but it only takes a few smart choices to keep your wardrobe looking fresh and seasonal all summer long. I have created three color palettes (that all have overlap) that will make it easier for you to raid your own closet and buy fun accent pieces.

I love the impact of coral with navy, but the duo wouldn't be possible without the supporting role of a bright, summer white backdrop. It is easier to mix these two bold colors when one of them is done in a print. A navy & white striped dress will look fantastic set against a coral jacket or belt. Finish with jewelry accents in a warm gold tone.

After you create your favorite navy and white outfits, switch up your accent color with a fun citrine. This yellow-green color is an unexpected pop, yet it finds its way into stores like clockwork every spring. Citrine looks great with navy, white and grey which makes it perfect for the season. (Just keep it away from your black suits because the often neon nature of the color can be harsh against black.) Choose silver for your jewelry accents with this color palette since the colors are cool and crisp.

When wearing any of these color palettes, I try to incorporate at least print or pattern to break up the big blocks of colors. Also, try playing with texture to give more visual interest.

White is not the only great summer neutral. Taupes and khakis also are big players during warm weather, especially in pants since not everyone likes to wear white pants. Since taupe has a warm undertone, I like to pair it (almost) exclusively with other warm colors. I chose oranges and yellows here, but this could also be done with pinks and corals. These warm colors work equally well with silver and gold accents so be bold and mix your finishes. Try wearing several bracelet bangles on one wrist, alternating between silver and gold.

What other summer colors do you love that you have trouble mixing and matching with?

Solidly Bold:

Pair your solid colored dresses with a fun blazer. I love a striped blazer because it is an easy pattern to find and to wear and a solid dress can coordinate with lots of styles. A patterned blazer can be as bold or as classic as you want. The two options I have shown here are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

The neon stripe blazer is an edgy statement piece that will move between seasons. The coral stripe keeps it fresh and bright for spring and summer, but the darker background grounds it for your fall and winter wardrobe.

A classic seersucker blazer is a great summer piece if you don't want a bright, bold stripe. It won't transition through the seasons, but it is good investment because it will not go out of style.

By changing your shoes and jewelry, your dress can pull double duty for date night and for casual wear try pairing your blazers back to denim and shorts!

Add Some Sleeves:

Not every summer dress needs to be sleeveless. In the heat of the season, it can actually be cooler to wear a dress with sleeves than to layer a blazer or cardigan over a sleeveless dress.

This half-sleeve striped dress is very easy to accessorize. I chose to add a wide belt to break up the stripes and to balance the strong shoulder. I love the pop of cobalt in the belt because it will work with both your navy and your black stripes. To keep in the nautical theme, the necklace has stones that are reminiscent of sea glass.

Another simpler work option would be to wear this dress with a summer-weight or silk scarf and a pair of nude heels. A brightly colored cuff bracelet (I love orange and yellow paired back to navy) will also give a nice pop!

For casual wear, you can skip the accessories and pair this with sandals (as shown in the photo).

Fun & Flirty:

For a softer look, choose a subtly patterned dress and layer with light neutrals and pastels. This dress is great because the tone on tone pattern adds texture without being a loud, statement piece. The pastel pink belt (sold separately) matches the piping in the dove grey blazer and creates a greater sense of matching. Leave the blazer unbuttoned to show off the belt. To keep the soft edge of this outfit, I chose a nude peeptoe flat, but a fun gold sandal would be a nice substitution for post-work.

You will get use out of a grey blazer all year long so if you are only looking to invest in one, choose a lighter grey. This will coordinate with both your black and navy separates while also feeling light enough for the spring and summer.

Additional accessorizing is not necessary for the office and for casual wear try wearing the dress without the belt and instead adding in long, chunky necklace.

Summer Colors:

Nothing screams summer like a fresh white blazer paired with navy and coral. I like the very narrow, vertical stripe on this dress because it adds texture without screaming "nautical!"

On nearly any dress with a horizontal seam near the waist, I will add a belt. I generally prefer patent belts because they are clean and modern, but any bold and bright belt will do.

This dress is the most "sundress-y" of all the ones I've shown so this outfit really requires the blazer for work. A white blazer is most appropriate because of the fact this dress is so summery. A dark blazer will feel out of sorts with the rest of the outfit.

After work, take off the blazer and slip into your favorite sandals and this dress will transform into an easy, casual summer look.