It seems winter has come and gone here in Baton Rouge. Instead of clinging to the colder days of January, we should spring forward into the warmer weather with a fresher style.

Nothing says you’re ready for fresh weather like colorful outfits that pop.

The best way to break the winter mold is to pair bright, colorful shirts and accessories with your lighter neutral items like your blazers, slacks and suits. Shy away from dark colors like black or charcoal and go for something simpler like a light gray or khaki — neutral enough to match almost anything, but light enough to stay cool in the warmer temperatures of springtime.

Patterned ties are especially popular right now and are the best opportunity to breathe new life into a dull shirt or suit. Gray shirt with a black tie? Great for a classy event in the winter time, but too stuffy for the bright sunshine of early spring. Trade out the black tie for a plaid one that matches some bright slacks and that gray shirt will be ready for the warmer weather.

Draw even more attention to a patterned tie with a flashy tie bar. It may seem simple, but it’s a minute detail that can make all the difference. While the tie bar was invented for functionality, it’s now an accessory that can be used as a bold fashion statement and can really spice up any man’s look.

The best part about tie bars is that they can be incredibly cheap. They can be found at thetiebar.com for as low as $15, and jackthreads.com sells tie and tie bar combos for prices as low as $7.99. Hold back on lunch one day — maybe one burrito instead of two  — and use the money you save to add some flair to your wardrobe.

This time of year, it’s all about the details. Colors are your friends, and dull, patternless outfits are the enemy — especially if they don’t fit. A trim black suit will look infinitely better than a baggy blue one, but a trim blue suit looks better than both in balmy weather.

Keep it bright, keep it tight and most of all, avoid black and white.