It’s baaaaaack! (Neon Yellow Cuff by Serebra Designs)
I swore I wouldn’t give in to it. It has hurt too many people in the past. Ruined too many relationships. Done too much irreparable damage to people’s images.
Is this not a look to which you aspire?
Neon is dangerous and it is addictive. Remember, waaaaay back in the 80’s when we all thought neon was cool? When we layered blinding pink baggy socks over blinding yellow baggy socks, threw our Slimer green bellybag over our Hotdogger t-shirts and walked out the door with our waterproof Sony Walkmens? (What’s that? You didn’t own any Hotdogger t-shirts? You were probably so cool. NOT!) And remember that moment of epiphany ten years later, when we looked back on pictures of ourselves in our baggy Hypercolor sweatshirts with our crimped hair and electric shoelaces and nearly vomited all over our (now, clearly cool) 90’s midriff angora sweaters?
So what are we doing, people? Didn’t we all join hands in our flannel button downs and ripped denim shorts in 1997, looking back at the 80’s in remembrance, saying “Neon, never again?
(Neon Pink Necklace With Gold Tone Rings by tjalaine)
When I first started spotting the reemergence of neon on the runway this year I warned my boyfriend (who obviously cares about such things): “Ladies are going to be wearing neon this season, Jeffrey. It’s going to get ugly.” And then one day, a few weeks later, we were walking through the shoe section of a department store (I know, he’s the best boyf ever), and Jeffrey, passing a table of Manolos, fingered a tangerine patent leather shoe with interest.
“I dunno,” he said. “This could be kinda hot.”
Since then I have been forced to confront my mixed feelings about the modernization of the neon trend. Recently, on the streets of Manhattan, I have seen women pull of these shocking shades, dare I say, with sophistication. This isn’t the ocean of flourescence we drowned ourselves in while drinking gallons of Crystal Light and repeatedly listening to “Eternal Flame.” Neon is finally being used as it should be. As an accent. As a way to say, “Look at me!! I’m here!” And I’m only a little bit of an attention whore!”
Take the baby punch of these earrings:
(Hot Pink Wire Wrapped Earrings by PoleStar)
Or this vibrant dash of fringe:
(Amazon Fringe Neon Teal Necklace by threehorses)
The pop from this braided headband:
(Crochet 3 Strand Headband in Neon Green by CrazyJaneKnits)
Or the lift from these bright platforms:
(Neon Orange Platform Pumps by NorTin)
I might even be able to sanction something like this:
(Neon Kaleidoscope Leggings by devowevoshop)
They are leggings, after all, and leggings can do no wrong. (Though this woman’s expression leaves something to be desired.)
But if you see me walking down the street in a highlighter yellow thong leotard with a matching sweatband, please rip the spandex from my body, and burn it in a public fire as a lesson for the children. Also, don’t judge – once neon gets you in its grasp, it doesn’t let go.
Below I have gathered some of the safer, more fashion forward neon items I’ve been coveting in our Oh, Neon Treasury. Perhaps a few of them will light my way through the summer before we all collectively regain our sanlty and decide to bury our neon once again, down in the dark with the Hammer pants, where it probably belongs.
Until then, proceed with caution.
