GET in the pink with spring's must-have colour. We detail the brightest buys and the hottest looks.

By Lisa Haynes

BANISH girly connotations of looking pretty in pink. This season, pink's coolest cousin fuchsia is giving fashion followers an attention-grabbing alternative.

Vivid hot pink was undoubtedly one of the must-have colours to emerge from the spring/summer 08 catwalks. Burberry, Versace, Preen and Matthew Williamson all showcased the super-bright shade.

Unlike some trends such as tie-dye and nautical, which are suited to high-summer, fuchsia can be worked into your wardrobe right now and worn all year round. A pink dress looks just as fabulous with tanned legs as black opaque tights.

Go as bright as you dare ... whether it's a look-at-me frock or understated accessories, fuchsia is this season's big colour story.

PINK GLAMOUR

If there's one item all the celebs are stocking up on for their designer-crammed wardrobes, it's a fuchsia pink dress. Kate Bosworth, Sarah Jessica Parker and Helena Christensen have all been spotted in hot pink frocks so bright they're almost blinding.

"This dramatic shade is the perfect alternative to red for a killer evening dress and will have the same knock-'em-dead effect," says Fiona Wellins, Colour Me Beautiful consultant.

FUCHSIA FINDS: Wallis Limited Edition hot pink taffeta scoop neck dress, £85 (130 Euros), Spotlight by Warehouse pink stripe 50s dress, £75, ASOS satin pink pleated bow dress, £35, Linea satin pink shift, £99 at House of Fraser, Red Herring Special Edition puff ball prom dress, £50 (78 Euros) at Debenhams.

CASUAL COLOUR

You don't have to do "pretty in pink" for daywear and keep fuchsia for sassy occasions. The colour is great for brightening up casualwear too. From hot pink macs to cute cardigans, just one dazzling item can transform an entire ensemble in one quick fuchsia flash.

Fiona says: "Like red, this bold and powerful hue has as many variations and has a great mood boosting effect."

FUCHSIA FINDS: Per Una pink belted mac, £49.50 at Marks & Spencer, Ruby London Grace fuchsia skinny jeans, £115, Evans pink cropped cardigan, £25 (38 Euros), Matalan chiffon waterfall blouse, £14, French Connection pink cotton shirt dress, £65, Marks and Spencer Limited Collection pink playsuit, £39.50, Warehouse pink broderie cami dress, £18.

FUCHSIA FLASHES

As with any brave colour or catwalk trend, it's easy to access the look with accessories.

"If fuchsia's too bold for your personality to go the whole hog then there are plenty of fabulous accessories you can pick up to get the pink look," Fiona advises. "A fuchsia angular necklace or set of chunky bangles will work the trend perfectly."

Those more confident with super-brights can invest in one of this season's oversized bags or patent shoes to liven up summer outfits.

FUCHSIA FINDS: Freemans pink ruched bag, £39, Jasper Conran at Tripp pink barrel bag, £59 (86 Euros), Billy Bag pink Milly bag, £110, ASOS pink silk wedge shoe, £35, Office Noovy Groovy fuchsia suede wedge shoe, £60, Matalan hot pink mesh lingerie set, £5, Flirt For ASOS pink beret, £8.

SHADE TO SUIT?

Think pink's too overpowering? Fiona has the lowdown on pulling off fuchsia pink with aplomb according to your colouring: As a blue-based colour fuchsia works best on those with cool undertones in their skin. If fuchsia next to your face makes you look drained then use it only on the lower part of your outfit.

Fuchsia looks most striking against dark hair - think Catherine Zeta - as it needs a strong colour to complement it. If your hair is medium to dark and your eyes are lighter then go down a tone to cyclamen.

As a rule, fuchsia is too bright and contrasting for blondes to wear as a block colour and they should opt for a softer shade. It can look fabulous against ash coloured hair but some may have to go for a lighter cassis to complement their look.

Fuchsia is not the best colour for redheads as they have so much warmth in their colouring but they can bring it into their ensemble with some accessories - just not close to the face.

Ensure your make-up works with your fuchsia look. You'll need a strong lipstick but it mustn't clash with your outfit and stick to rose blushers rather than peachy shades.

STOCKISTS

ASOS - www.asos.com

Billy Bag - 020 7723 0427/www.billybag.com

Debenhams - 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com

Evans - 0845 121 4516/www.evans.co.uk

Freemans - www.freemans.com

French Connection - www.frenchconnection.co.uk

House of Fraser - 0870 160 7270/www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Marks & Spencer - 0845 302 1234/www.marksandspencer.com

Matalan - 0845 330 3330/www.matalan.co.uk

Office - 0845 0580 777/www.office.co.uk

Wallis - 0845 121 4520/www.wallis.co.uk

Warehouse - 0870 122 8813/www.warehouse.co.uk

Ruby London - www.rubylondon.com

Tripp - www.tripp.co.uk

For more information on Colour Me Beautiful visit www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk

FASHION NEWS

THINK PINK

If you've fallen in love with fuchsia, look to The Perfectly Pink Company to indulge your new colour habit. You'll find cute tees and nightwear at www.theperfectlypinkcompany.com. The online store is offering 20 per cent off all products purchased by March 22 - and best of all a percentage of sales from The Perfectly Pink Company is being donated to Against Breast Cancer. To get your discount quote PPEaster08.

SPRING CLEAN

Self-confessed shoe-oholic? Make room for the season's hottest new footwear by taking your old footwear to Brantano stores. Between March 17 - 24, Brantano is welcoming redundant shoes in return for a £10 voucher when you spend £40 or more in store. For every old pair of shoes handed over, Brantano will donate 10p to Tommy's, the baby charity. Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who's supporting the Brantano New for Old Campaign, says: "Knowing your old shoes will benefit others will make you feel good and I certainly could do with making some space in my cupboard for new shoes!"