When seasons transition and the sun more routinely shows its endearing face, people start to grab warmer colors to embrace the season’s trends.
This spring has resurrected the haute trend of neons once so prevalent in ’80s and ’90s fashions. Whether it’s Lycra biker shorts, slap-on bracelets, plastic rings or Colors of Benetton-type clothing in fluorescent hues, ’70s and ’80s babies literally could not get enough of this stuff before it grew too straining on the eye.
Now, in 2012, consumers are all too ready to invite this intense spectrum back into their style vocabulary. Neons have found their way to not only the backs and shoes of campus fashionistas, but also to the most exclusive, international high-fashion runways.
This trend has even trickled into evening wear, from the red carpet gowns of major award shows to high school formals and city socials. As prom season is under way, it’s game on for the neon gown and formal wear. Sparkles and shimmer accompany jewel-toned stones and shiny details as they latch on to neon-colored backless and strapless evening wear.
Even though consumers are far removed from the neon jellie shoes they once adored, sneaker brands like Nike and Adidas have reinvented the neon comfort shoe for street style as well as athletic use.
Even minimalistic jewelry designs have taken a liking to the neon trend. Rubber band-based designs available in fluorescent yellows, oranges, reds, blues and purples are accompanied by faux jewels, creating a serious echo of 1980s disco. Beaded and braided wristlet and earring designs incorporating hot rod colors are gaining notoriety in fashion magazines and street fashions across the globe.
On international runways, Brazilian designer Carlos Miele presents beautifully constructed wide-leg pants in bold, caution-tape yellow. Meanwhile, a delicate floral detailed skirt from Scottish designer Christopher Kane and a bottom pleated dress from American designer Lyn Devon are all the rage with their potent chartreuse color.
On a fashion runway not too far from Baton Rouge, local designer Alicia Zenobia showcased her “Childrenswear for Adults” collection at the annual fundraiser “Alegria The Fashion Show” last Sunday in New Orleans, produced by designer John Delgadillo in collaboration with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
While a few of the garments were slightly exaggerated and based in fantasy, most looks were on-trend with the intense neon combinations of metallic spandex, fluorescent Lycra and prints with bright hues. One look consisted of a neon yellow siamese twin-like bodysuit, requiring two models to be joined at the hip within it. Other looks included boy-cut short bodysuits with geometric metallic details.
Besides those who mirror my own bold preference, most won’t be attending the Saturday night disco in styles so flashy, which leaves them to more subtle means of sporting this trend. One casual brand that has incorporated neon is streetwear and skateboard brand Zoo York. Spring arrivals as well as previous collections from this brand present strong and intense colorways that incorporate the neon trend.
Urban Outfitters is another brand that stays up-to-the-minute on trends and produces and supplies trend-forward products as soon as the latest fashions hit the horizon. Urban heavily caters to consumers by providing the newest neon knit cardigans, tanks and skirts.
For a small pop in wardrobe, it may be even more feasible to adapt the extreme lip-color trend. Two brands supplying beautiful neon matte colors are Kanebo COSMETICS and Bobbi Brown, which have quality options available in strobe reds and crazy corals.
Guys with a neon fetish can go for the inexpensive Casio brand Core Digital Watch to bring life to a neutral look.
Whatever the new obsession — bags, phone covers, shoe strings, head bands, accessories or clothing — in spring 2012, there’s a neon for that.
Al Burks is a 25-year-old apparel design senior from New Orleans.
 
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Contact Al Burks at [email protected]