How to wear neon and shine without going overboard

How to wear neon and shine without going overboard

How to ace the trend without looking like you bathed in highlighter Shikha Jain brings expert advice

Shikha JainUpdated: Saturday, June 22, 2019, 01:29 PM IST
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The recent Spring/Summer 2019 runway saw a ton of trends making a huge comeback. One such era which has the designers going gaga is the darlin’ ’80s. “The neon trend is the strongest revival of ’80s fashion. It’s bold, it’s rebellious, and its playful highlighter hues that were considered whimsical then are still the same when it comes to embracing it,” claims stylist Maneka Harisinghani.

Neon hues have been associated with the peace loving, free culture of the ’70-’80s that have trickled down into modern wardrobes of individuals who believe in free expression and individuality. “Therefore, from New York to London, to the streets of aamchi Mumbai, this in-your-face trend is an ideal pick for those who are unapologetic about being themselves,” declares designer Nishit Gupta. “Emerged on a small scale in 2018 to taking over the shelves of every famous A-lister in 2019, this controversial trend is here to last for quite some time, whether we like it or not,” adds Nishit.

Inspiration diaries

No one does neons in Hollywood quite like the Kardashian-Jenner clan. “Be it Yeezy’s collection, showcasing hints of neons in the form of biker shorts, to Kim K strutting the streets of New York and Kendal and Kylie Jenner painting the Bahamas in these glow-worthy hues, they are rocking the trend,” says Nishit. Whether putting forth some girls boss looks or enjoying some sun and tan, at their exotic getaways, these ladies are giving the neon trend a glamorous up-do. “If my memory serves me right, Priyanka Chopra started this trend in Bollywood,” points out Maneka. But Alia Bhatt, Sara Ali Khan, Malaika Arora have had a spot on styling.

Not forgetting that neon is not only for women, we have seen men too swaying in it. “With KJo giving this trend his fabulous nod while sporting a neon green jacket quite a while back in the Swiss Alps, it was only a matter of time others followed suit,” adds Nishit. From Ranveer Singh painting the magazine stands to Alia Bhatt, opting for a demure version of this trend, at the airport, to Deepika Padukone at Cannes, our B-town hotties have embraced the inescapable ’80s trend like a pro.

Be playful

While coral may be the Pantone colour of the year, it’s these freaky hues that are topping the charts. With haute pink, flaming orange and electric green being a runway and celebrity favourite, it’s time we revamp our wardrobe with these much loved hues. Pick a colour that is suitable for your skin’s undertone. “Neons in my opinion work best on dusky skin,” says Maneka. “Peaches and oranges are perfect for those with cooler skin tones while yellow and green work best with warm toned skin colours,” suggests designer Hemant Sagar. “Slimy green is the safest of all the colours.

Stark yellow, hot pink and glowing blue are some of the other trending colours,” mentions designer Masumi Mewawalla. And since the colours are so playful it can be pulled off anywhere, anytime. “It can be worn to the gym, for a day out, an evening party and even traditionally. Think Alia Bhatt in Sabyasachi’s neon lehengas,” says Maneka. But the colours have to be chosen correctly and worn in harmony with the rest of the outfit.

Styling tips

While planning a look around these hues might seem confusing, there are a few easy ways to get this trend just right. “Nothing screams classy and sassy like a two-piece suit. Throw on your matching loud coordinates with a good pastel tunic, a classic white pair of heels or sneakers and watch the magic happen,” suggests Nishit. “If you prefer things a tad simpler while getting just your hands dirty in risqué neons, opt for an all black ensemble, by adding a hint of neon,” recommends Nishit. This way you get to enjoy best of both the worlds. Belts, shoes and a clutch do the trick perfectly when you want to add just a pop of colour to your ensemble.

“Most commonly a neon piece of clothing or accessory can be thrown in and blended with muted tones. It can be a bold neon-on-neon look. This is tricky though but we kept Malaika’s recent look balanced, by picking neutral accessories, muted make-up and the hair was clean and pushed back,” shares Maneka. If the colour is the focal point one has to keep the rest of the palette bare. “Pairing neon sneakers over athleisure is a nice styling for your workouts. A simple neon jacket or earrings or sweater over a black or white denim would be stunning casual wear,” adds Masumi. “Ditch your regular-coloured bikinis or one piece and instead opt for a neon suit paired with natural accessories,” suggests designer Sweta Tantia. It will ease you into neon dressing and look really great with a tan.

Dos and don’ts

It's a playful yet super tricky palette. One small mistake and you can come off looking like a cheap peacock or someone who has just bathed in highlighter. So, here’s your easy way out to avoid being too bright to the eyes. “Don’t let these hues overpower your entire look, in fact, let them be a fashionable addition to your day to day ensembles. Focus on your favourite fluorescent hue and build up your look by mixing your everyday basics around it,” explains Nishit.

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