Dear Avery,
I hear emerald is the color for 2013. I’m a little afraid of such a bold color and I’m not sure it will look good on me. What’s the best way to wear it?

I have to be honest. I’m getting a little sick of girls who say they “don’t wear color” or are afraid to be bold. I’m definitely guilty of spending the winter months in varying shades of neutrals, but that’s only because I can’t always bring myself to be cheerful in a place that may or may not actually be hell frozen over.

But it’s a new year and — despite this horrific cold front — almost, sort of, kind of getting closer to spring. So I propose that, as a gender, we attempt to incorporate a little color into our wardrobes. Specifically, emerald.

Emerald has been named by Pantone, the color experts, as the 2013 Color of the Year. I have so many questions about this, I don’t even know where to begin. Why did they arbitrarily choose emerald? Whose job is it to pick the color? Did they do this specifically for me because I complained all of last year about tangerine? Do they fully understand how great I look in green? These mysteries may forever remain unsolved.

But what I do know is that not only does emerald look fantastic on me, it looks fantastic on everyone. It’s deep, rich and complements anyone from a pale, fiery redhead to a dark-skinned goddess. If we’re basing 2013 off of how good we as a collective gender are going to look this year, then it’s going to be an excellent year.

The great thing about emerald is that it’s a show-stopper without being too over-the-top. Wearing this shade of green says you’re fancy and a high roller, but you’re also subtle and classy. If you’re wearing emerald, you may not swim in a bed of hundred dollar bills every day, but you absolutely do have a stack of Benjamins in your wallet.

If all of this frightens you, start off small. Try a piece of emerald jewelry first to ease your way into it. A jewel-encrusted bracelet is a great option, because you can wear it with a pair of jeans, a sweater and ballet flats or boots, all of which can be neutral if you so choose. A little pop of color will go a long way, especially if that pop is a gorgeous J.Crew bracelet.

Bracelet: J.Crew, $78

Now that you’ve gotten more comfortable, take your wearing of the green to the next level. Emerald pointy-toe pumps are the perfect choice for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re emerald and snakeskin and completely fabulous. Secondly, pointy-toe pumps have made a quiet, ladylike comeback and are a necessary purchase for your 2013 wardrobe. It’s time to get over your stacked heels and platform stilettos and opt for a subdued but no less sexy pump.

Shoes: Kate Spade, $325

Another necessary purchase if you’re hopping on the emerald bandwagon is the perfect green blouse. Something with cool, architectural details in a light, floaty chiffon is essential for 2013. Wear it with leather pants and ankle booties for a night out or a high-waisted pencil skirt for the office — either way you look expensive and fashion-forward. Pick a style that’s classic and flattering, but don’t be afraid of something with a little edge, too.

Top: Zara, $29.99

Now that you’ve fully embraced going bold, it’s time to step it up. You may have thought colored denim died along with 2012, but you’re wrong: brightly hued jeans are here to stay and it’s time we all accepted that. And if you have to wear pants anyway, they might as well be green pants. A pair of high-waisted skinnies are more versatile than you may think, and could be worn with anything from black to white to gray to even more green. I personally would opt for a mint blouse and nude heels with these jeans, but hey, that’s just me.

Jeans: Urban Outfitters, $58

We’ve made it this far on our color journey, so why stop now. I’m willing to bet you spend your winter months in a black down coat, occasionally throwing in a bright scarf or hat to punch things up a bit. But what if instead of blending in with the rest of your drab surroundings, you traded in for something with a little more style? An emerald car coat is your best bet and will work over just about anything. I love long coats over short dresses, but you could wear it over leggings or skinny jeans if you’re not into wearing a skirt in 2 degree temperatures. And I realize that a full-on emerald coat isn’t exactly subtle, but I say forget those baby steps. Go bold.

Coat: ASOS, $368.34