An 80s fashion flashback is on attack: Neon. It’s creeping its way into fashion magazines and clothing stores. Hollywood stars and every-day people are gradually slipping it into their wardrobes. Is this for real? I’ve lived long enough to see a repeating fad? Oh no.
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| Neon: Now open for biz. |
I will never forget my lime green, over-sized t-shirt and orange sherbet nylon shorts. I loved them. I kind of want to go back. As a slave to fashion, I’m drawn to the neon brights like moths to light. I think I’m on the edge, a little too wise but a little weary of black and white and anything drab in between. I want my colors hot, not leaving me bored and burned out.
Neon is risky. I know enough to not spend the big bucks on this one; it will be out in a flicker, like the buzzing signage it’s named for. And what I find amusing, it divides shoppers, stores and designers like a new politician. It’s still early enough in the season, so any fence-post sitters may take the plunge into the flashy fashion pool as they warm to the hot trend. It grows on you.
The fashion magazines are non-committal and add to my confusion. Cover headlines say it’s hot but dedicate only a page or maybe two to plug it. Hollywood stars and stylists are treading lightly on this one or thousands of snapshots would fill the pages. Come on celebrities, show the people the WAY! This is saying something without saying it. Nobody wants to broadcast a fashion faux pas this bright unless it’s a sure thing. Yet it’s so “hot”! Or not?
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| Happy Model. Happy Toes. |
Fashionista advisors are putting a small stake in the ground: Accessorize it. Forget the sweater or pants, go with the skinny belt or skinny-striped shoe in subtle lemon neon and soft tan. It’s a flash of the flash, just to show you know your fashion stuff. Or, how about just a little on the nails, make those sandals pop. Ok, so far the feet have it, shoes and toes: Can do!
Supposedly anyone at any age can wear it. Well if anyone can wear it, we should find it anywhere and everywhere. J. Crew and Old Navy are fully on board the Neon Express. Anything in between, and that’s most of us, and neon is almost nada. It’s just a pop, like the color or confetti sprinkles on a cake. I’m thinking some 47-year-old CEO, say a somebody that lived the 80s in their teens or twenties, said “Ix-nay on the eon-nay. Not going back.” The other companies got generation-X directing their fashion runways. This divided stance isn’t convincing me “I’ve gotta have it now”.
The best advice I’ve read, if you nary to wear neon, pair it with navy, white or tan. No black as it’s soo 80s, per InStyle. I like that direction. I’ve put a lot of money into my jeans, because I’m following the “gotta have it cuz your butt looks great” and “it’s worth it.” It is. And supposedly any age can pull it off. I’m feeling braver.
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| A Dad Does It! |
The best way I’ve seen neon, is on a forty-something man wearing an electric green cast on his right leg. I met him at a sushi restaurant while my husband and I waited for a table. We couldn’t help but notice the “caution-colored” cast glowing from under the table. Nobody is going to trip over that one, that’s a bonus I bet he didn’t consider. His cool-dad thinking, “ My 12-year-old daughter picked it for me!” They are both proud and soo on trend.
Still unsure? Want to be bold but can’t bear to show it? Check out Victoria’s Secret or any lingerie department in anystore. Wear sunglasses, but not for incognito purposes. Stores are so stuffed with neon undergarments and sleepwear the eyes hurt, a sure-fire commitment. Grab your trendy undies and know you are on the hottest fashionista track to blaze the brazen. It’s a risk-free opportunity. Just leave the white pants at home.
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This post made me smile… as you say, neon really does divide people like a new politician!
I won't be flirting with it again, but a splash of it can look summery and fun. Love your last line…I see white pants and Elizabeth Hurley springs to mind! Maybe I'm just jealous that I can't carry them off.
You make me laugh with the Elizabeth Hurley spin! I think you can hang with her any day in white pants, truly! Pair it with neon and you won't be worried about the white pants.;-)