Experimenting with color combinations is a low-stakes way of participating in seasonal trends. A fairly safe option for any color choice is pairing with denim. Especially if you’re trying out some bold hues, a pair of jeans can be the perfect blank slate to introduce an unexpected, colorful punch to your look. In looking toward the spring, here are a few trending colors to consider wearing with jeans as we slough through winter.

First up, forest green and mint green. This verdant color pairing is perfect for the transitional months of March and April. The darker color speaks to the current season, while the pastel version adds a bit of fresh hope for warmer days ahead. Ann Taylor’s Brushed Sweater Jacket in Rainforest has a dark green tone set off by gold buttons. Pair this cardigan against type with a faded jean and a minty green scarf like Lands’ End’s Brushed Blanket Scarf in washed evergreen check. A dark, jewel tone combined with a cooler shade feels refined, especially when styled with black leather accessories.

Brown is trending hard here this year, with a beige version taking center stage. However, chocolate and espresso brown are just as strong. I like the idea of brown belts, loafers, and a bomber jacket with a straight-leg jean for an 80s normcore look. It’s a simple outfit to pull off but is still distinctive and slightly unexpected. Gap’s Oval Leather Belt in woodsy brown was made to elevate a pair of jeans with its gold, braided buckle, especially when matched up with a slip-on shoe like Anne Klein’s Ezar Loafer in dark brown, available at DSW. Complete this look with a similarly hued jacket like a Kohl’s Women’s Standing Collar Full Zip Up bomber.

If you’re looking to counteract the more masculine browns with a feminine touch, it doesn’t get more girly (in a good way) than pastel pink. A soft pink t-shirt under your brown bomber will provide your look with some subtle contrast. You can also pair pink with burgundy for a tone-on-tone feel. For a fresh and polished look, try Uniqlo’s Rayon Blouse in pink under Old Navy’s Taylor Relaxed blazer in cherry bark with dark wash jeans. Of course, a pale pink sweater like Universal Thread’s Quarter Zip Collared Pullover from Target works seamlessly with denim for a cozy and cool transitional weather look.

You can’t go wrong with bright red, no matter the season, weather, or the low-level chaos of modern life. When it comes to wearing a bold hue with jeans, you can go the functional route with Patagonia’s Recycled Wool-Blend Crewneck sweater in madder red and rendered in a chevron texture with cropped jeans and a waterproof boot, like Columbia Sportswear’s Newton Ridge hiking boot, to muscle through the rest of winter. Come the more mild months, have fun with the same sweater and jean, but with matching red socks, like J.Crew Factory’s Ribbed Camp Socks in candy apple, with a fun sneaker such as New Balance’s WL574 classic in true red. Red also looks cool when layered with burgundy, like a red T-shirt and the cherry bark blazer above. Or go for a preppy vibe by styling a red turtleneck like Madewell’s Wool-Blend Turtleneck Long-Sleeve Tee with a grey cardigan and a denim skirt with dark red tights and brown loafers.

Next up is a seemingly benign shade that I personally find controversial: Buttery Yellow. What’s wrong with a dairy-based yellow, you may wonder? Nothing really. It’s a classic pastel, seasonally appropriate, and can be worn with a variety of denim styles — white straight-leg jeans come first to mind. However, if not deployed strategically, it can come off as drab, especially if worn on its own without a contrasting hue. To make yellow sing, even come off as cool, you need a darker, rich piece from which to bounce it off. If you’re looking for yellow to be the top half of your shirt and denim ensemble, look to Allegra K’s Love Sleeve Pleated Tie Neck Office Blouse from Target layered under a burgundy cardigan, like Zara’s Golden Button Knit Cardigan in maroon. Not only does this darker hue contrast with the yellow for a fresh look, but the gold buttons also have the potential to play up the blouse’s tone and can be worn over trouser jeans and heeled boots.

Another approach with yellow is to wear it in accessory form with a monochromatic look, again to provide some contrast. I like the idea of a gray jean, a T-shirt, and a blazer, punched up by a bag like Anthropologie’s Hollace Tote in light yellow. Or wear a lighter-wash flared jean and a chambray shirt with a pop-of-color shoe like Vivaia’s Square-Top Perforated Heeled Boot in ginger yellow.

Again, denim is a safety zone with all of these color combinations and shades. The point is to have fun with color more so than worrying about up-and-coming trends. Of course, it does help when certain colors are trending, as there is more variety in price points and brands. But another great thing about styling different colors is that chances are you probably already have similar shades in your closet.