Gentlemen, start your engines! Rev up monochromatic pieces with brights right now; a winning look that works for novices and longtime pros.

This spring is all about giving winter’s moody blues, greys, browns and blacks a much needed happy-go-lucky boost. And with color bursting everywhere—on ties, sweaters, shirts and jackets—merging tint with your basic tones is easy, no matter how much shade experience you have…or don’t have. You think you’re color-phobic? Give it a whirl in tiny doses, without making a huge commitment. You’ve done the color thing once or twice? Mix it up right now with pattern. You’re a colorful kinda guy? Well, you’ll be as giddy this season as a 76ers fan hearing “playoffs.” So let’s go—the race to place color in your wardrobe starts now.

BEGINNER: Thankfully, a newbie can play it safe without spending much cash by weaving in one shot of color at a time. A lively yellow sweater perks up the jeans and striped shirt ensemble. If you’ve got the polo-and-khakis thing going, swap out the conventional navy with a vivid, eye-popping green or orange.

INTERMEDIATE: You’ve just started to embrace color, so how can you work it? Go for a multi-hued argyle sweater over a contrast collar polo and pair with khakis. Or infuse more vivid hues into your work look, by mixing up a bolder, brighter tie with a check shirt.

EXPERT: Recharge a closet loaded with color by taking a fresh direction to wearing it: Layer tones that balance out each other, such as a gingham shirt with daring patterned pants and an embroidered belt, anchored by a navy blazer. Give your striped button-down a burst of brightness by pairing it with a whimsical, pink-and-green floral tie.