Not so fab neon

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Not so fab neon

— by Angie

on June 12, 2009

I’m all for an updated, refreshed and modern take on 80’s influenced fashions but I draw the line at anything neon. I sported enough neon clothing, footwear and jewelry as a teen in 1983 to last me a lifetime. So this is not a trend I’m revisiting. As much as I adore saturated bright colours, blindingly fluorescent items get my thumbs down because they’re just TOO bright. I can see kids and teens having fun with neon the same way I did, but as an adult, no thank you.

Colour

55 comments · Add a comment

Sarah

I agree. I am not usually one to wear super bright colors, although I can appreciate it on others. To me, a lot of things neon just look a little cheap. And something my 14 year old sister in law would be wearing. Cute, but not for me.

June 12, 2009 at 7:04 am

zora

I like bright colours and they suit me. So no objections to neon colours, just maybe not as much as the last time they were all the hype. Guess this time it won’t be a neon coloured dress for me but just some accessoires.

June 12, 2009 at 7:08 am

Ele

(website)

Ouch. Angie, my eyes!

Hee. I completely agree. I’m not comfortable wearing most bright or even light colours (which I’m trying to change) so this is just way too much for me. The only item there I even remotely like is the Tory Burch wallet, and that’s because a) you don’t wear a wallet, and b) I think it’s useful to have a bright one so you can see it immediately in the depths of a huge purse. Other than that, I’ll pass.

June 12, 2009 at 7:11 am

Michelle

When I think neon, I think slap bracelets and scruntchies. I’ve already graduated the fourth grade, thanks! Glad to hear you’re kyboshing this one.

June 12, 2009 at 7:12 am

Tanya

I am not a fan either. I was a kid first time around so for m these colors will always be associated with being 7 and going to first grade. Plus, they are all way too bright for my coloring. So I shall happily pass.

June 12, 2009 at 7:35 am

Violet

I too had neon green clothing the first time around when I was younger. I like green, but not this particular shade. I will also pass on this trend.

June 12, 2009 at 7:40 am

shiny

Agreed. (while reminiscing about the neon mini-dress I made myself and wore with a wide white hip-slung belt…)

June 12, 2009 at 7:44 am

Dani

Same for me. I had enough blindingly bright neon clothes and accessories in the early 80s to last me a lifetime. It will be interesting to watch the younger generation enjoy this trend.

June 12, 2009 at 7:51 am

lwc

Yep…I’ll pass too. I was in HS in the 80’s, and sported a couple of neon pieces. Definitely not interested in revisiting this trend. Have at it, teens and tweens!

June 12, 2009 at 7:58 am

Emely

I agree. Not even in my teens I was a fan of neon; I guess I was one of the not so fab back them too

June 12, 2009 at 7:59 am

Melody

I love bright saturated colors for myself … royal blue, purple, teal, fushia … not so much the neons. But I will live vicariously through my five year old daughter, and probably pick her up something like a purple tunic and pink neon leggings!

June 12, 2009 at 7:59 am

Jill

(website)

Well…

I certainly agree when it comes to clothing. Too much neon is not a good thing. But in tastefully done accessories? I think I might do it.

June 12, 2009 at 8:00 am

sinead

Have to agree with you- I don’t even think it looks good on teens. But…I do remember wearing a cobalt blue jumpsuit that had a wide neon yellow belt- and I added neon yellow hose. Yikes!

June 12, 2009 at 8:00 am

greenglove

Well, you can probably guess what I think, I have had enough with the color of hair I see in art school. It is a non flattering , childish look that I cannot imagine too many adults embracing.

June 12, 2009 at 8:06 am

Laurel

(website)

Ok… I kind of love that Tory Burch clutch… and the bracelet. (though probably not together with the same outfit.) I’m just a sucker for that green.

June 12, 2009 at 8:26 am

Kim from Nebraska

I think a little tiny dab of neon, like say an acrylic neon ring or bracelet, or the little wallet that Angie shows can be kind of fun in a flash-in-the-pan summery way. I would not wear large blotches of neon like a shirt, etc. but I might wear it as say a neon cami under shirt for just a peep of color. I love neon colors, esp. green and pink. I think it can be youthful without looking juvenile if you are very very sparing in using it. I would NIX on neon nail polish, though. I hate all nail polish in general on me. I have lovely nails, why cover them up with some color? Ick nast.

June 12, 2009 at 8:30 am

Antje

Veteran

Gosh how I loved my neon pink tulle “tutu” skirt when I was 16… I thought I looked SO COOL. But yeah, probably not to be revisited. Although I will never say never. I will not rule out a little neon pink accessory (though I’m certainly not actively searching for one)…

June 12, 2009 at 8:35 am

carissa

(website)

I was just at Nordie’s and heard another woman in the dressing room, “this dress is great its so neon”.

I must be boring – I stick to colors that work for me, usually independent of trend. And obviously neon is not one of them. BUT, I would don it on my toes.

June 12, 2009 at 8:36 am

Eternal*Voyageur

(website)

Argh !!!! I got blinded when I opened YLF today. If this is what awaits me on the streets very soon, I’d better invest in some extra dark shades.

June 12, 2009 at 8:37 am

Joelle

I am not into neon either, even in accessories. It gives me a headache.

June 12, 2009 at 8:38 am

Chris

Thanks for the memories! Some trends are better left in the past and this is the best example.

June 12, 2009 at 8:55 am

Patience

I probably have the skin tone to pull it off but I still won’t go there. I didn’t even go there in the ’80s even though I had plenty of opportunity. I’m much happier with bright colors that aren’t neon.

P.S. I did see a teen in the mall with neon green chucks. I’m sure they glowed in the dark. Unfortunately, they made me look only at her feet.

June 12, 2009 at 8:59 am

Meream

(website)

Ugh. Hate it. Hate neon clothing, polish, shoes, lights, paper, all things neon. I can never forgive the person who thought about incorporating that into fashion.

June 12, 2009 at 9:04 am

Joy

I had a neon orange Hard Rock Cafe tee back then and thought neon colors really enhanced tanned summer skin. No more tanning; no more neon, but I can see it on those with the right skin tones.

June 12, 2009 at 9:04 am

Kendra

I am loving the neons….. in accessories only though. Most of these colors just do not work up near the face! I did indulge my inner 80’s chick in some neon yellow espadrilles, which are very cute and do pair well with the “neutrals”. I think this is one of those “less is more” moments in fashion…..

June 12, 2009 at 9:08 am

Sal

(website)

I can’t help it: As someone who adores color, color, color, I’m loving playing around with neon again. In small doses, of course …

June 12, 2009 at 9:13 am

Real Style Real People

(website)

I totally agree Angie- have a good weekend!!

June 12, 2009 at 9:33 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such vivid passion this morning! Sorry ladies, this post was a little bright, which was sort of fab after a post on flesh toned shoes.

Interesting. So for the most part, we have a “no-way I’m not doing that again” perspective of neon. Some will go as far as a neon accessory or toe colour, and some will even sport an item of clothing. Apart from Laurel who I know is my age, I’m sensing that it’s the younger gals who are liking the neon look, perhaps because they didn’t sport it back in the 80’s. But I might be wrong.

I loved the memories, Shiny, Sinead and Joy. I used to wear white pants and top with a plastic neon yellow belt and neon pink sunglasses. I could have lit up Santa’s sleigh.

June 12, 2009 at 9:50 am

Oneirix

(website)

Teehee, I love neon! It tends to work because all the shirts and pants I’ve been drawn to recently are either black, grey or white, so I use them mostly as accents. Although super saturated brights are more my thing; neons can be in kind of ugly colors sometimes.

June 12, 2009 at 10:13 am

Laura

Agreed. There is something just way too unnatural about neon.

Have to admit … I even skipped it the first time around!

June 12, 2009 at 10:22 am

Maya

Why do I always find myself in dissent?! I don’t do it on purpose, I swear–but I like neon! I have some neon earrings in my shopping basket on F21. I wouldn’t wear it in large doses but I like an obnoxious pop here and there. I think a neon belt would be fabulous if I could wear belts comfortably.

June 12, 2009 at 10:53 am

bella.cville

I am with Maya on this one. I think the earrings are super cute and I would definitely wear the sandals. (but they are way over-priced imo!)

June 12, 2009 at 11:01 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Aha! Oneirix and Maya, both in their 20’s. Bella, a 90’s teen as opposed to an 80’s one. There *may* be truth in what I’m saying! Please don’t think I’m boxing you, though. I am just having fun with your likeness to neon because I too was there many moons ago :0)

June 12, 2009 at 11:24 am

Taylor

(website)

I read something last week about these *acid* brights….best on the younger crowd…who can do about anything in the right combo.

June 12, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Lena

My eyes!

I was born in 1979, and associate neon colors with plastic jewelery and trends I would rather not see again. I didn’t wear these things myself, I just remember seeing them on older kids.

June 12, 2009 at 1:55 pm

the other Mary

…ah… but there is a place for neon! If you’re down in the Caribbean, sun blazing away… all “normal” colors bleached to chalky whiteness…. Neon can look quite vivacious againt a golden tan :))

June 12, 2009 at 2:29 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

I won’t say no so quickly, but this is one of the harder trends to sport right. It might be good on any age in the right context. I can imagine myself in a more black less neon color block dress to go dancing or dark neutrals neon belt. That said, I’d rather spend the money on something else…

June 12, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Imogen

(website)

So with you – great for kids, but very hard to wear for adults without looking completely overwhelmed by the colour.

June 12, 2009 at 3:20 pm

yublocka

(website)

I was a kid in the 80s and overdid the neon thing then: clothes, jewellery, shoes, you name it, if it was neon and preferably pink,purple or blue, I had it!!! Did you guys ever wear 2 pairs of neon socks at once and fold them over so you could see both colours? Loved it!

I think I still wear enough bright colours that I don’t need to go as far as neon again!!!

June 12, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Mellllls

I’m okay with the wallet and the nail polish though I don’t think I will purchase them. Out of curiosity, Angie, if you had a teenage client would you approve of neon purchases?

June 12, 2009 at 6:49 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sure, Mellllls. I would absolutely encourage neon purchases for a teenage client.

June 12, 2009 at 7:18 pm

GoXtina

I’ll probably get a nail polish in neon color. The only color I have is the bright red… Other than that, I am not sporting any colorful colors like this anytime soon.

June 12, 2009 at 8:45 pm

san

I actually think those sandals are beautiful. I love that color. It doesn’t seem as neon as the other one. I would only wear it on my feet though, no higher.

June 12, 2009 at 8:49 pm

garmenta

Is lime green a “neon” color? For the past few seasons I’ve found it fun–and flattering–in small doses as an accent color in a sandal or in a print.

Not in a dress–if you crave that color, refresh yourself with some lime sherbet!

June 13, 2009 at 5:46 am

jwomack

I was a kid in the 80’s (I am 41). I definitely rocked neon back then — I thought I looked very cool. I still love color today and wear pinks and multi-colored tops (usually geometric), but I will pass on neon clothing at my age. I might consider a neon thong sandal or purse (but only from Target, Payless, etc. — no big investment piece). I would also skip neon nails as I think they look ridiculous at my age. My 6 and 4 year old daughters would look adorable though.

June 13, 2009 at 6:25 am

Sri

I grew up with neon around me as a teenager and completely skipped and shunned the trend then. This time around, I am happy to embrace it in small doses! I am discovering that while I felt fab with neutrals during my younger years, as I grow older, I need some color to brighten up my outfit and am noticing more bright pink, turquoise, and bright greens in my ensembles! I moved from neutrals to feeling comfortable with pastels, and now with brights and metallics!

June 13, 2009 at 10:17 am

Kari

How funny, Angie – when I first looked at this blog post, I was on a laptop with a very de-saturated screen and thought that these just looked like brights and not overly neon at all. Now I see what you’re talking about. Ouch!

June 13, 2009 at 7:38 pm

Cathy R in Melbourne

I thought the dyes used in such fabrics were quite environmentally unfriendly, too.

June 14, 2009 at 4:19 am

Phoebe

Neon looked cheap and awful, looks cheap and awful and will always look cheap and awful!!!

June 14, 2009 at 7:04 am

gina

I’m in my early 30’s, so I was an 80’s child, 90’s teen. I liked neons then and I like them now. I’d wear them differently though.

Right now, I like neon pink, turquoise, green, orange, yellow – only one color at a time and worn as an accent: purse, earrings (I have orange and pink), nail polish (I have green), tights (I have several colors), camis (under sweaters or blouses), belts and shoes.

When I was about 12, I had a neon tie-dyed jumper that I wore over a neon green tee shirt with a neon pink hair scrunchie and neon pick socks. I wouldn’t go that route today.

June 14, 2009 at 9:42 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. I can’t help but think that some of you are mixing up neon with normal bright colours. I adore citron but not neon yellow. There is a difference. Neon colours have got a “glow in the dark” integrity about them – like an ultraviolet neon sign. Think traffic beacons and the bibs that policemen wear when they’re directing traffic on the road. Super fluorescent. And as Kari says, ouch!

June 14, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Devin

I must admit I do love neon nail colors on my toes! I don’t know about glow in the dark anywhere else on me though.

June 14, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Karen

This post brings back memories of neon pink socks and my choose life t-shirt. Wearing neon is a mistake you make once in your life, when you are young. It is fun to wear ultra bright, day glow clothing, but certainly a trend I will not be wearing this time around.

June 14, 2009 at 9:21 pm

Budget Babe

(website)

I might wear the neon nail polish, that’s about it. I love the colors but not for clothing, not this time around!

June 17, 2009 at 7:34 am