IT'S NOT A PHASE, MOM.
My first love was in the form of a handbag. Dipped in bright neon orange, carrying the name of Steve Madden in gold platting on the back, this schoolgirl satchel was everything I've ever wanted as a young fashion driven fourteen year old. At the sight of such a demanding colour, many tend to run & hide or better yet burry themselves in the basic shades of black, beige & grey. However, this girl right here was pretty much drawn to its flaming colour like a moth to a single light in the dark. Little did she know, that same old handbag would get lugged across the country many years later & end up encapsulating one of the largest trends of 2019 - NEON. I must admit, I'm all for it.
A good neon moment can be hard to come by, but thank goodness for us, this fluorescent trend is back & ruling runways everywhere. Lime greens, tangerine oranges, lemon yellows (basically any citrus fruit as a colour) make up the range of not-so-subtle hints of colour that take the phrase "glow up" quite seriously. Pop that shit on a handbag, pair it with a flashy two piece set, take a deep breath & smile - congrats, you've got yourself a look that's completely on trend.
But where did neon come from & why the hell is it trending?
Neon made its grand re-appearance all over the Spring/Summer 2019 runways of various Fashion Weeks in the fall. Plastered all over Instagram, you can count on the Kardashians to spread some buzz about the trend & make it one of the year's most popular colours. But neon has honestly been around forever. The trend comes in various forms & is very much suitable for all, as ensembles can simply be embellished with subtle pops of neon or be straight out beaming head-to-toe creations. But regardless of the quantity of neon, wearing the vivid hue portrays a certain kind of confidence & kind of makes you a badass. The in-your-face look will have you literally stopping traffic & looking like a reflective pylon...IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
Fun fact - neon matches with absolutely everything because it doesn't actually go with anything. There's no excuse to not wear it for this exact reason. So put your fluorescent big girl pants on & be happy about it.
NEON may be just a trend in the fashion world, but in my world it's SO much more than just a phase. NEON is a way to stand out among all of the normality filling the streets & be seen - literally...you're glowing.
A single element of neon can honestly elevate an entire look. You can go from basic suburban Sara (with no "H"...obviously) to fun & feisty Florence who enjoys impromptu roadies & outdoor music festivals, in just two quick shakes. Wearing the vivid hue makes you POP & wherever there's a black light, you'll be the hit of the party. Looking like a highlighter, there's absolutely NO WAY you'll be missed.
Just last weekend, I witnessed a woman at the bar, rocking a funky fanny pack with a bright neon strap. The dance floor was lit entirely by black light, making her neon green strap glow against the black of her "going out" attire. It was clearly the most exciting part of her outfit, yet she still found it necessary to show it off over & over, again & again, nudging me each time to get my attention, while pointing to her glowing accessory with pride. She was real excited.
...& honestly, you should be too. Neon is a hit & a half.
Neon doesn't give a fuck about what other people think, do or say.
Neon doesn't try to be anything other than what it truly is.
Neon is unapologetically vibrant, dramatic & loud.
Neon is a showstopper.
Neon isn't just a phase, mom - IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.
Live the way you wanna live, wear the shit you wanna wear & make your middle school highlighters proud.
Make your mark.
Stand out.
Be seen.
Make em' stare.
Be bold.
BE NEON BABY.
xx C
PHOTOGRAPHY: BETSY-MAY SMITH @maybphoto
OUTFIT ANTHEM: FLUORESCENT ADOLESCENT - ARCTIC MONKEYS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma9I9VBKPiw
OUTFIT DETAILS:
NEON ORANGE SATCHEL - STEVE MADDEN
TUBE TOP - GUESS
NEON ORANGE TRACK PANTS - EVA B VINTAGE
SANTANA WHITE DENIM JACKET - THRIFTED
BLACK FAUX-LEATHER TRENCH COAT - EVA B VINTAGE
PLATFORMS BOOTS - TIGER ALLEY
FLOWER EARRINGS - EVA B VINTAGE
SUNNIES - RED LIGHT CLOTHING EXCHANGE
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