I’m not exactly sure who decides this stuff, but neon is officially in. That’s right, this 80′s trend is making a huge comeback in 2012, and although neon has always been a summer favorite, this year it’s bigger and brighter than ever before. Neon is EVERYWHERE, from shoes to bags to shirts to makeup to belts to nails to pants to jewelry to, well, everything else!
Neon captures the essence of the summer spirit and is a perfect look for those seeking to escape the dreariness of winter past and the currently almost non-existent, but hopefully almost here, monsoon rain. Celebrities like Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole, and even Nicki Minaj are currently pulling neon off amazingly well.
Wearing neon can be a little daunting for the color-shy, but fear not! There are plenty of ways to incorporate neon into your outfit, whether you prefer to start small or are already looking forward to rocking neon from head to toe.
Here are a few ideas for wearing neon this summer that will give you an edge without going over the top:
1. Wear neon on accessories.
This is wonderfully easy and is the perfect way to wear neon for those who feel intimidated at the prospect of wearing more. Wear neon belts, scarves, handbags, earrings, shoes, and necklaces to add a burst of color to an otherwise simple outfit, and that will make that simple look of yours, pop!
2. Pair neon with neutrals (white, brown, black, tan, beige, and the like).
This is a great way to move beyond neon accessories, and can be used to dress down as well as up. The neutral colors highlight the neon in the outfit and make it stand out, creating a look that is daring and bold yet tame. The best way to do this is to just wear one neon item per outfit, such as a shirt, a pair of shorts, or a dress, and then neutral for the rest.
3. Downplay the neon.
Instead of making the neon the focus of the look by joining it with neutrals, it can be worn with other bold clothing and accessories, such as printed tank tops, skirts, and bags. This establishes the neon as just another element of an overall trendy look.
4. Create contrast.
Neon, the brightest of the bright, and black, the darkest of the dark, are complete and total opposites. Yet they are a fashion match made in heaven, as opposites can often be. Wearing them together creates a daring look of absolute contrast that is sure to make heads turn! For example, you can contrast a neon dress with black accessories.
5. Color block.
Although color blocking has been around for a few seasons it is still pretty big in the fashion world, which is great because color blocking is both simple and awe-inducing—especially with neon! For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, color blocking is basically wearing contrasting solid colors together. Essentially, color blocking is a bolder version of contrasting, by pairing neon with neon. Just remember to keep the neon items brightly and solidly colored, and to not get carried away and color block with more than two to three colors!
6. Wear neon makeup.
When I first heard about this, I imagined people walking around looking like they had drawn all over their faces with highlighters, but I’m glad to say that neon makeup looks much better than that! While it sounds a bit intimidating to wear, a bit of neon makeup (such as eyeliner) can be subtle and also fun and interesting.
As is with any other fashion trend, there is indeed such a thing as crossing the line with neon. Beware of having too much neon on yourself at any moment, and know when fashionable turns into garish and gaudy. Out of the myriad fashion trends, it is especially easy to make the neon look seem like overkill.
Experts say that when a trend is resurrected from the past, it usually stays in vogue longer the second time round. Neon remained popular throughout the 80s and 90s, and so is definitely here to stay for quite a while!
I believe neon is a great way to experiment with and express individual style, and it looks great on everyone. So even if you’re a bit hesitant, give it a try—it has immense potential for fabulosity!
Ayushi Vig
Image Source [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSR9YKKajoo/T8ToWeYD3jI/AAAAAAAAFk0/m-_1DNaFo9U/s1600/neon-fashion-23_large.jpg]
