"Orange had its heyday, and now it's time for its next-door neighbor, yellow," says Eiseman. "It's been a hot color on European runways for the past two seasons, and now it has jumped the pond. Everyone needs cheering up these days, and nothing's better for making sad spirits soar than eying a bunch of sunny daffodils. So, the timing is right for yellow's big moment."

Scouting the local scene, we asked two popular retailers "why yellow?" and how they were showing it in their respective establishments.

Tara Luizzi of Relish says her high-end Georgetown boutique is selling tops, sweaters, T-shirts, even loafers in this spring's most popular color.

"Colors are mostly muted this season, so yellow is a good way to bring them out, whether it's a cardigan over a navy, gray or brown dress or a T-shirt under a white blazer. I don't recommend wearing it with black because I think it looks a bit bumble bee-esque." Luizzi says she sees it much more as an accent color than a tip-to-toe look. Too much yellow is, well, too much.

Don't badmouth yellow to Katharine Ordway, whose Capitol Hill boutique, Maggie and Lola, is painted in bright gold tones.

"People have so many preconceptions about what looks good or not. It's time to adjust your eye. Yellow gives a fresh, clean look to clothes. Right now I'm carrying a yellow strapless chiffon gown, a buttery yellow jacket and some tank tops. As with any color you wear, it's important how you pull it together. Yellow, gold and cream makes a good combination as do mustard yellow and red. Wearing yellow is a fun way of expressing color that has legs - it can take you from early spring (Early adapter Diane Sawyer appeared in a yellow suit the first day of spring on "Good Morning America") throughout the summer.

Still don't think yellow's your hue? "Compensate with makeup," says Eiseman. Maybe all you need is a touch more blush. Finally, yellow makes a great color for accessories - dip your toes into a pair of yellow wedges or latch onto a yellow clutch and see how your day will brighten.