Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Using Spring Colors in Wardrobe Question: Everywhere I go I see people in great spring-inspired outfits, but my work wardrobe mainly consists of gray, blue and black pant suits. How can I incorporate spring colors, pastels, etc. and still look professional? Karen M. Answer: Dear Karen, Yes, spring is budding in all its glory. And it does make us want to lighten up our clothing for the warmer months. First, kudos to you for your work wardrobe consisting of such businesslike colors (gray, blue, and black). You will be happy to hear that it is actually quite easy to add pastels or bright colors to those neutrals and achieve at least somewhat of a spring-ish look. And you will still look professional. You can add a lightweight knit or silk top in a pastel color, or a blouse, or a scarf. Catching rave reviews in this spring's fashion scene are colors such as, yellow, aqua, red, pink (in all shades, from pale baby pink, to hot pink, all the way to fuschia), lime green, and light blue. Depending upon your preferences, all of those colors work beautifully with gray, blue, and black. Gray and aqua paired together make a particularly striking combination. As does gray with yellow, light blue, or pink. Black works with all pastels and bright colors, as does navy. Navy looks particularly great with lime green, yellow and pink. Black takes on a spring look with aqua, light blue, lime green, and of course, pink. Red is popular this spring when worn alone or with taupe or beige tones. Don't forget that you can always add white to any of your pantsuit colors. Black-and-white outfits and taupe-and-black ensembles are the top in-vogue combos this spring. Geometric prints are also making a big splash, as are florals. But you want to be careful of wearing ultra sweet floral prints for work. If you enjoy wearing scarves, I recommend that you purchase a couple of the fun geometric prints in spring colors. They will liven up your pantsuits without sacrificing professionalism. Be sure that a portion of the scarf color is in black, navy, or gray, whichever pantsuit you want to wear it with. As I say in Casual Power, short scarves tied at the neck or the long oblong ones are the easiest to work with. Avoid square scarves as they cause fidgeting and they can look frumpy. If your budget allows, consider adding a beige or taupe-toned pantsuit to your wardrobe this Spring. It would work beautifully with your black and navy pieces. And it would look great with some of the pastels or bright accent pieces. Enjoy your Spring! Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: Advice for dressing when overweight How much makeup should I wear at work? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'