The new neons will see you through the heatwave, monsoon and beyond.
There is an emerging trend with surprising longevity; brilliantly coloured clothing. The new neons are significantly tastier than their predecessors – think watermelon, lemon and lime like a palette of delicious sorbets rather than a case of dried-up highlighter pens.
Victoria Beckham wears her pink lemonade fizz in the form of a neat cheesecloth midi dress. The Duchess of Sussex, in limoncello yellow, showed us how to formalise rave hues in structured silhouettes.
Jules Standish, a colour expert and author of How Not to Wear Black, notes the centuries of research into the effect colour has on the brain. “Bright colours trigger neurological responses, causing the glands to release feel-good hormones. As well as the emotions, there’s a physical effect, improving blood pressure and strengthening the nervous system. Sunlight (or lack of it) seems to be an important factor when deciding on colour preferences. When sunlight is abundant, there is a preference for vivid hues.” Therefore a heatwave prompts a sudden mass affinity with wearing brights.
Generation Z (born in the mid-nineties to the early noughties) has claimed a particularly popular shade of Snapchat-logo yellow as ‘theirs’ this summer, but that hasn’t stopped the Duchess of Cambridge, Melania Trump and others not in the age bracket from giving it a go. The new shades are easier on the eye than those that came before; more flattering for all skin tones and simpler to style.
The best neons look as striking on Instagram as they do in real life. This trend has found its way to the cult status of late, thanks to a collection of sweet pink and sour yellow dresses that have chimed with the mood of endless summer mocktails. We’ve noticed fashionistas becoming bolder in their choice of prints and colour. A popular trend in colours is candy pink dresses. Wearing even a splash of bold colour has an instant effect on your well-being. It’s ‘optimistic’ fashion. The colours in your ensemble evoke an uplifting mood that takes over when the sun does come out.
Overall, Day-Glo hasn’t looked this chic in ages. The way to wear it is in a grown-up power dress or sleek separates, with glossy-looking accessories. Satin, crepe and cady fabrics thirstily absorb the colour-rich dyes, meaning that the most vivid options, generally, are matte cotton day dresses or silk evening wear. Neon couldn’t have come further from its glow-stick roots.
One day, naturally, the sun might go away. But if you shop savvily (ie pick a trans-seasonal silk blouse rather than a dress that you won’t wear later with tights), the whole trend carries through to autumn, too.
Miuccia Prada styled citrus brights with black and navy on her winter catwalk. Think how gorgeous that raspberry sherbet top might look, refashioned as a ‘pop of colour’ when layered with a navy, burgundy or camel wool coat? You might not be a person who wants to go the full fluoro. Even the biggest colour explosions can be easily diffused with neutrals. Pick a bright top, and add white or beige to take away the tang. It’s the sartorial equivalent to dousing fruit in cream.