Highlighters may be the undisputed hero of your stationery kit, but now your wardrobe is after a piece of the action too.
From searingly bright yellows to eye-watering greens, savvy street stylers were sporting shades that warranted sunglasses for bystanders throughout Fashion Month. Both loud and attention seeking, neon colours are extra special because they can’t be created by nature and weren’t ‘discovered’ as such, until the 1900s.
Neon art stormed into popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, with celebrated artists such as Keith Sonnier and Tracey Emin reaching for the medium over the following century. Fashion took up the baton in the 1980s when colour got a turbo-boost. Subtlety was shrugged off in favour of electric shades of pink and purple paired with metallic leather and a frightening amount of hairspray.
If you’re fearful of fluorescent, you’re not alone, but teamed with the right pieces, it can look more street-style-hero than Stabilo, we promise. When it comes to fluorescents, the power is in the pairing. Softer shades of green will dampen neon shades so the overall effect is still potent, but without being jarring (see Tiffany Hsu for inspiration.) Denim will always knock neon down a peg or two, and a humble neutral will never fail to dilute brightness. But for true neon fans, there can be no rules; pile on colour however feels right and march into summer with your head held high.
How to style neon in 2025
© Getty ImagesBoyfriend Shirt
Fuse conventional masculine silhouettes with ultra feminine colourways by styling out a neon pink shirt dress. A breezy yet flirtatious look, a boyfriend shirt (or shirt dress, depending on how short we're talking) is the perfect vibe for summer days spent out-of-office.
© Getty ImagesStatement Bag
If full-blown neon is a step too far out of your comfort zone, then why not toy with a pop of pigment? A statement bag in your favourite zesty shade will elevate any look, be it smart of casual.
© Getty ImagesTwo Tone
Can’t pick just one neon hue? Mix and match dreamy shades to create a vibrant, cohesive look that lights up your wardrobe.
© Getty ImagesDressed To Impress
It doesn't get easier than a slip dress which you can elegantly fling on and be on your merry way. The stark hue of a silky number will create a bold yet beautiful ethereal look to command attention on the drizzliest of April days.
© Getty ImagesColour Clash
Who said neon required block colours? Spice it up with a kaleidoscopic piece showcasing a neon hues in every colour of the rainbow.
© Getty ImagesPower Suit
Infuse your spring arsenal with some Eighties fever and slip into a traffic-stopping tailored look. Confident and clean-cut, a power suit in any form is a failsafe choice. Shoulder pads very much essential.
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