Au néon

Louis Vuitton: Spring/Summer 2013

What on earth are you wearing? You look ridiculous!
The common reaction to the suggestion of neon clothing is all too familiar. The normal association of neon being a wild 'neon rave' full of glow-sticks, flashing colours & the odd snapped heel of a girl splattered on the floor trying to search for her lost dignity. For some time now, wearing neon as part of a common outfit has resulted in the brave soul wearing it becoming a temporary social stigma within seconds. Not even specifically just neon; the whole bright colour miscellany of some 'flower-power'-esque outfits is shunned. With the ever rising popularity of wearing duller tones, particularly the 'all black' phenomenon which many are lionized for pulling off, there's no room for the man in the bright pink polo or the girl in the bright green dress.
However, I smell a trend coming on.

Now to those of you who are closer to fashion it may be knowledge to you that stores like to stack the best clothes of one season, two seasons ahead. In August you'll find a gorgeous cashmere sweater, plan to buy it in winter and poof - it's gone. If my prediction is correct, around late February or early March there may be a rise of a neon implement in outfits to foresee a possible trend for summer 2013. Bright sneakers & vibrant yellow heels will replace leather jackets & grey cashmere shawls. This is evident enough from Louis Vuitton's spring/summer 2013 collection which was heavily paraded at a Marc Jacob's show back in October. Although not necessarily 'neon' the signal was clear. Piercing oranges & fierce yellows are 'in'. This comes quite into contrast with the popular 'pastels' trend of 2012 which boasted modesty in pale lilac tee's & mildly toned lace skirts. So will you be donning bright pink nails added to the gentle touch of a turquoise maxi number? Will you dare to rock new collection neon sneakers and white shell tops in attempt to blind but dazzle? A vivid stella McCartney sweater for chill summer nights or a phosphorescent addition to your handbag collection could be in order. Will you comply to the trend or rebel against it?

Nike Hyperfuse

Personally I feel that the trend could be embraced, particularly by those that wish to retain the sophistication that monotonous outfits tend to bestow.  However, outfits that are totally neon will look garish. The best way to go about neon is adding it as a touch to an outfit. Just a touch. A simple touch on neon could do black on black number with subtle additions such as bright soles for boys or quirky heels for girls. Little hints of colour could work their way in to your outfits from the beginning of spring until the dawn of a spectrum circus in early july & illumined chaos in the sultry month of August. We already know that bold green is on the way but there's still the question of whether neon will prosper as it failed to make a rise in 2012. How will you go about it?
The rise of hyper-real brightness & flourescent shades may me unavoidable.■