A 1980s comeback: It appears that everyone is being hit by a highlighter as the mid-1980s craze in neon trends make a great comeback this Spring.
From dresses to belts, jewellery to handbags, nails to eye-shadow, there are splashes of colours to be explored.
At the recent London Olympics, the US team, including tennis star Serena Williams, could be seen wearing neon green sneakers which are part of the Nike FlyKnit Trainers' latest range.
Back home, celebrity fashion stylist Gert-Johan Coetzee is said to have embraced the neon trend in his latest collection which will be in stores from next week.
"A neon coloured skirt is a must-have this Spring," he said, "and celebrities like singer Thembi Seete and Vuzu presenter Dineo Moeketsi have been rocking this trend quite well".
Like many golden fashion rules, the key to choosing the right colour for you, be it electric blue, tangy tangerine or neon pink, orange, green or yellow, really depends on your body type, skin tone and the confidence you hold.
While black is said to make the colour pop, white will tone it down a little. Do please skip the 80s-inspired baggy look and rather settle for fitted clothes such as tight dresses and jeggings.
And, whether you want to play it safe or be the envy of everyone, here are some ideas on how you could incorporate neon into your wardrobe.
ACCENTUATING NEONS
According to Paledi Segabo, a creative director of men's clothing label Palse Homme, the neon trend is a combination of colours that are not in harmony. An example of this trend in menswear could be wearing a yellow T-shirt with a red scarf or for a formal funky formal look, you could pair three-quarter grey pants and have shocking neon pink socks as the pop up colour.
Neon colours come in pops of bright green, yellow, pink, orange or blue and the golden rule in sporting this trend is to stick to not more than two striking colours as you might end up looking like a fruit salad, Segabo advises.
A celebrity star that has been known to own this look is rapper Da Les.
He proudly wears his signature gear of bright-coloured sneakers, neon printed T's and neon caps.
And as for the ladies, neon T's are a pass, but try wearing a toned down tank top with big chunky stones in fluorescent green, orange and pink accessories as well as neon jeggings to make a pleasant yet glaring statement.
Other great highlight trends include coats of funky nail polish colours, handbags big or small and for the brave enough, add a trendy splash of colour to your hair by adding a neon extension.
MUTING NEONS
If you think neons are too bright for you, why not mute them by having a patch here and there by following Coetzee's rule that says: "Neon should be the focus or highlight of the outfit".
This trend could be achieved by sticking to your conservative colours such as greys and blacks and making neon the focus or highlight of the garment.
Singers Beyonce Knowles and Alicia Keys have been spotted wearing all-black outfits and layering it with a colourful blazer.
Another perfect way to this trend is by teaming neon shoes with faded pastel clothing.
But if all still seems too daring, start with a thin neon belt on a drab dress or a ribbon on your hair.
Unlike the colour-blocking theme that is fading away, the neon trend is meant to complement your style, says stylist Iko Mash.
This article first appeared in print on 12 September 2012
Neons make a colourful return
A 1980s comeback: It appears that everyone is being hit by a highlighter as the mid-1980s craze in neon trends make a great comeback this Spring.
From dresses to belts, jewellery to handbags, nails to eye-shadow, there are splashes of colours to be explored.
At the recent London Olympics, the US team, including tennis star Serena Williams, could be seen wearing neon green sneakers which are part of the Nike FlyKnit Trainers' latest range.
Back home, celebrity fashion stylist Gert-Johan Coetzee is said to have embraced the neon trend in his latest collection which will be in stores from next week.
"A neon coloured skirt is a must-have this Spring," he said, "and celebrities like singer Thembi Seete and Vuzu presenter Dineo Moeketsi have been rocking this trend quite well".
Like many golden fashion rules, the key to choosing the right colour for you, be it electric blue, tangy tangerine or neon pink, orange, green or yellow, really depends on your body type, skin tone and the confidence you hold.
While black is said to make the colour pop, white will tone it down a little. Do please skip the 80s-inspired baggy look and rather settle for fitted clothes such as tight dresses and jeggings.
And, whether you want to play it safe or be the envy of everyone, here are some ideas on how you could incorporate neon into your wardrobe.
ACCENTUATING NEONS
According to Paledi Segabo, a creative director of men's clothing label Palse Homme, the neon trend is a combination of colours that are not in harmony. An example of this trend in menswear could be wearing a yellow T-shirt with a red scarf or for a formal funky formal look, you could pair three-quarter grey pants and have shocking neon pink socks as the pop up colour.
Neon colours come in pops of bright green, yellow, pink, orange or blue and the golden rule in sporting this trend is to stick to not more than two striking colours as you might end up looking like a fruit salad, Segabo advises.
A celebrity star that has been known to own this look is rapper Da Les.
He proudly wears his signature gear of bright-coloured sneakers, neon printed T's and neon caps.
And as for the ladies, neon T's are a pass, but try wearing a toned down tank top with big chunky stones in fluorescent green, orange and pink accessories as well as neon jeggings to make a pleasant yet glaring statement.
Other great highlight trends include coats of funky nail polish colours, handbags big or small and for the brave enough, add a trendy splash of colour to your hair by adding a neon extension.
MUTING NEONS
If you think neons are too bright for you, why not mute them by having a patch here and there by following Coetzee's rule that says: "Neon should be the focus or highlight of the outfit".
This trend could be achieved by sticking to your conservative colours such as greys and blacks and making neon the focus or highlight of the garment.
Singers Beyonce Knowles and Alicia Keys have been spotted wearing all-black outfits and layering it with a colourful blazer.
Another perfect way to this trend is by teaming neon shoes with faded pastel clothing.
But if all still seems too daring, start with a thin neon belt on a drab dress or a ribbon on your hair.
Unlike the colour-blocking theme that is fading away, the neon trend is meant to complement your style, says stylist Iko Mash.
This article first appeared in print on 12 September 2012
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