Fall Trend -Neon

Not long ago my little cousin was wandering around singing the words to Wham’s song Jitterbug in a two-part harmony.  She had heard the tune in a soft drink commercial and had no idea as to who they were.  Thank goodness for You Tube and I Tunes otherwise how on earth would we educate our young?    She of course marveled at the neon splattered t-shirts, rolled up jeans and shall I even go there -sideways ball caps.    I somehow even horrified myself by giving her an I –have-turned-into-my-mother- monologue droning on about how when I was eighteen we wore all those trends and how I am positive that Serena Van der Woodson stylist probably got all the fab ideas from an older and trendier sibling.  Cheeky as it was, at least she now has a new appreciation for Neon.

This season of course there is no shortage of blinding color flashes thanks to our re-living -their –own- midlife moment- designers like Michael Kors, and Dolce & Gabbana.  I say all hail to the 80’s but thank your lucky stars that the looks have grown up and, hopefully, no one other than a teen TV queen or Rhianna will actually wear hot pink ankle socks with acid green pumps… even more dreadful I pray that I won’t see any form of acid bright oversize earring like the ones I sported in the family photos that haunt me in my mother’s living room. Remember when photos from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s would fade and yellow only to end their journey ripped from the original frame and stuffed into an old shoebox?  Clearly Kodak had worked out that issue by the 80’s much to my dismay!

So if you are thinking of sporting this trend there are a few “caution” signs in the road to any fashion acid trip.

Limit yourself to one large neon-acid bright item or two smaller items per outfit i.e.: dress only or handbag and shoe only.

Most of these popsicle –on- steroids shades work well with black, but buyer beware don’t try to mix and match bright shades, you don’t want the clothes you are wearing to wear you, and worse you don’t want to be the Wham revival poster child.

These pumped up colors make a plentiful fashion statement all on their own, so the rest of your ensemble must be understated…  I.e.: hot pink dress and nude accessories on Blake Lively – that is the way to do color my darling.

As for your makeup and nails, a little goes a long way so pink or bold red only on the lips or nails will cover you, or go for a very soft pastel palette.  Smokey eyes always work but keep the rest of the face nude or neutral.