They say fashion is cyclical. With the revival of the 70’s wide leg flare and the 90’s crop top, it’s not surprising that neon, characteristic of the 1980’s, is making a come-back of its own. But don’t worry; we’ll leave the scrunchies and acid wash jeans as a memory of the past.
A recent trend seen popping up in fashion pieces and style blogs alike is to combine neon with neutrals within an outfit. Adding a neon or bright colour to an outfit adds a bit of pop while neutral colours subdue intensity. The key is to add one or two pieces of neon, with the majority of the colour palette to remain with neutral shades.
Blending fashions from multiple Brunswick Square stores, I put together a few examples of this growing trend with the help of a few friends!
Julia Higgins
A Rudsak white leather coat is the summer option for a cooler day, paired with a pair of wide leg Margaret M trousers, both from Colwell’s (Ladies). The cotton neon orange tank, from Pseudio, was accessorized with an animal print clutch, necklace and earrings, all from Baubles.
Lyndsay Lovely
Lyndsay is wearing a neon pink Alternative Apparel tank layered under a Free People blouse and tucked into a Free People skirt, all from Je Suis Prest Boutique. To polish the look, she is wearing a pair of pink stud earrings and a pink bracelet, both from Baubles. (Shoes are her own.)
Both Julia’s and Lyndsay’s make-up was applied by make-up artist Laura Smith from Perfumes Plus, using Chanel cosmetic products .
While women may tend to be a little more fashionable adventurous, the majority of men like to stick with something a little more practical within their comfort zone. While not all men may go for a neon stripped belt or neon polo shirt, wearing a bright colour is a fair substitute. With the khakis and white polo shirt, this kelly green LaCoste hoodie is eye catching and really stands out on Doug. All of Doug’s outfit: the pants, shoes, sweater, and shirt are all from Colwell’s (Mens).
If this trend is a little colour-bold for your liking, accessorizing a neutral outfit with a smaller piece of neon, such as a belt or scarf, is another, more subtle option. Substituting the neon for a bright colour can also have the same visual effect. Unifying flashy neons with modest neutrals is a fun way to relive the 80’s while still keeping your look sophisticated and modern!