Like everything in life, fashion trends’ speed of widespread acceptance and integration is faster now than ever before. Neon bright color has swept the market, finding varying iterations in athletic wear, high-end and contemporary sportswear, accessories, nail polish, and most genres in between. I bought a baby blue G-Shock watch in April 2010 and remember thinking it was so exotic and rich in color pop value – unlike anything I’d ever worn. Now I have three.
Fast forward to today, two years later, and vibrant color is everywhere. Nike offers customizable sneakers in nearly half a dozen hues; you see neon leather accessories at J.Crew, the stronghold of conservative prep; and DSquared2 sells dress slacks in peony pink and parka jackets in bright orange. In the past six months, I’ve purchased cobalt dri-fit Nike Combatwear, a sherbet orange American Apparel tank top, and black New Balance sneakers with blue, pink, and green trim for a dazzling rainbow of color. I call them the Nicki Minajes.
Of course, not everyone likes bright, and that is true for any apparel trend. But for those who do, I thought I would highlight a couple of my favorite selections.
C9 by Champion Men’s Jacket (pictured above), 35$ – I prefer the orange, as it is my favorite of the bright color spectrum. Target also has lime green, sky blue, and if you’re looking for a counterpoint to bright, black.
Casio G-Shock G8900A-4, 110$ – Another orange, only a bit redder. G-shocks are great watches – high quality, last forever. Relatively inexpensive and the chunky shape is retro and futuristic all at once.
The Cambridge Satchel Company Fluo Satchel, 170$ – even though it’s for girls, I absolutely love it. Old-fashioned shape in a decidedly modern shade.
Hermès Ulysse PM notebook, 215$ – in Anise Green. I have the discontinued Lagoon color and I love it. Perfect for the simple appreciation of doodling and high quality leather.
DSquared2 Cool Guy Stretch Cotton Pants, 430$. Expensive yes, but super CUTE. I would totally rock these, but with so much rich color, definitely a balance with neutral black/brown or white. For a more affordable pop of pink, try these as ASOS.
adidas Seoul watch, 85$, in blue. I think a central part of this trend is tonality. Not elements of color, but pure, rich, encompassing color.
American Apparel Viscose Sexuali Tank Top, 26$, in dark orchid. AA’s offerings change weekly it seems, but you can almost always expect bright colors, moderate prices, and the assumption of disposability. Nothing lasts long but it’s cute in the meantime!
SLVR Purple Raglan Polo, 100$. Notice most of the bright clothing is paired with muted neutrals. Having too many bright pieces, or too much bright as a total proportion of the outfit, can be tricky. Unless in certain color pairings and settings, focus on one bright item per outfit.
PACT Organic Cotton Teal Pop Boxer Briefs, 24$. Even your underwear can be bright. I have these – they are wonderful. Feel great, and it’s money better spent on local (San Francisco) and sustainable (Organic, non-sweatshop).
And to close, I present…the day-glo Swiss Army Knife from Sid Mashburn of Atlanta. Great twist on a classic. Bought this for a friend’s birthday. Apparently it actually does glow in the dark. Neat!
Hope this post inspires some non-believers to experiment with bright colors! Happy hunting!
2 comments
I love the Hermes notebook. It’s my favorite color too!!! I will be ordering this asap!!!
It’s wonderful! I love mine. Classic style.