Little miss sunshine

From canary brights to mute mustard shades, it's time to take a rain check on dull colours and give your summer some zing.

Pack a punch with bright canary colours or go even bolder and flirt with a touch of fluorescent.

"Yellow is very chic right now, if worn in the right way," says Danielle Radojcin, fashion editor at Handbag.com Fashionistas needn't fret about looking OTT if they find a shade to suit.

"It has a reputation as being a difficult colour to wear, but the trick is finding the right shade to suit your complexion," Danielle explains.

"Take Angelina Jolie at Cannes recently - she has very pale skin and the lemon gown she wore complemented her dark hair and grey eyes perfectly."

But you don't have to be a starlet to glow in yellow this summer. From smart gowns to daytime chic, be brave and stop traffic in bold and beautiful yellow.

• MELLOW YELLOW

If any shade is a mood booster on the colour palette, yellow is it. Look for casualwear in zesty yellows and you'll soon be feeling like Little Miss Sunshine.

A pretty top paired with jeans is a painless way to ease yourself into brighter shades like yellow. Try Primark's crochet trapeze smock, £10, or go pale and interesting with Miss Selfridge's LA pansy print top, £40.

If you don't want to go all out on yellow fever, pick up a print that incorporates the colour, such as Wallis' yellow print tunic, £20.

Black aficionado? Even you can do yellow by pulling on a bright jacket - it's an instant way of brightening up your entire ensemble in seconds. Look to Principles' yellow 3/4 sleeve jacket, £45, or for a smarter look go longer with Planet's yellow textured jacket, £169.

For true summer fun make a splash in yellow swimwear such as F&F's yellow cut-away swimsuit, £10, or Next's yellow floral trim reversible bikini top, £10, and bottoms, £12.

• BUTTERCUP BEAUTY

Drop the LBD and pick up yellow frocks for Hollywood glamour-style evening attire. Angelina Jolie, Naomi Watts and Michelle Williams are all converts to colour on the red carpet.

Danielle says: "Look for pale lemon evening gowns. Simple lines such as a column dress, as seen at Nina Ricci, work best."

Go short and sweet in yellow with Butterfly by Matthew Williamson embellished yellow dress, £50 at Debenhams, Monsoon's Fusion line Loreto Dress, £46, or Jesire's lemon yellow tulip dress, £99.

Up the glamour stakes by searching for gowns in pretty silks and chiffons for a romantic edge. Try Noli's crinkled yellow silk chiffon dress, £165, or Planet's yellow marble print dress, £159.

Maxi dresses are soaring on the summer style radars, especially amongst those who want to flaunt their top half and keep legs under wraps. Yellow numbers include ASOS' jersey maxi dress, £30, or John Zack's yellow pattern halter neck maxi dress, £40, available from Discoo.

• ACCESS ACCESSORIES

Those still not convinced of yummy yellow can access the daffodil look with less daunting accessories.

"Steer clear of anything in plastic, as yellow is a colour that can very easily look cheap," Danielle warns.

Dip a toe into the yellow colour craze in Dune's yellow Mother flip flops, £50, or go high with Barratts' yellow Cocoa platform sandal, £35, or Mango's strappy platforms, £55.

Swing into yellow style with some shoulder candy. Try Wallis' yellow pocket frame bag, £25, Debenhams Collection yellow large tote, £50, or Next's fun yellow geometric print bag, £16.

Those a little braver on the colour front can enjoy the sunshine in Dorothy Perkins' yellow floppy hat, £12. A must-have for standing out from festival crowds.

Adding a splash of colour with a belt or scarf also adds a yellow kick to your wardrobe - without being too committed to the colour.

Go for French Connection's Moon yellow waisted belt, £25, or Marks and Spencer's Autograph yellow pashmina, £15, to keep you snug on summer nights.