Friday, September 23, 2011

NEON!

Heads up. If you don't like neon - best zoom off to another planet before March next year.

Bestsellers at Kelsi Dagger

Because neon, day-glo, shocking brights -  whatever you call those irreverent Eighties colours - were the most predominant trend at Fashion Coterie in New York for spring 2012.  Bubble gum pink, Brazil beach orange, acid yellow and bloody bright green. These colours don't give a toss - and that's what I like about them.

Project Kama
I guess the only issue is - is neon going to date? Who cares? Fashion peeps don't think like me, a 49-year-old who's starting to think elastic waistband trou are quite comfy and practical after all. And I guess you could save your Day-Glo pieces for the next go-around in twenty years' time. Speaking of comfort and practicality - splashes from a smoothie? phhht! - this boiler suit at Desigual is a superb alternative to tracky pants.

Desigual
There is no doubt about it - neon is strangely flattering to most skin colours and ever-edgy. There was full-on commitment at Nanette Lepore who is usually so restrained...

Nanette Lepore

And just a touch on these Loeffler Randall shoes...


And even at the more woodsy, craftsy aesthetic of  Patterson J. Kincaid , this little deer found himself in a clearing of bright.


But at dear creatures, a spin on "sentimental tales of whimsy" they stuck to natural colours with classic capes in mustard and forest greens.


Sitting in the back was 25-year-old Smith Sinrod with her beautifully bright Thai silk pieces. It's slow for us, she said. Maybe it's where you're sitting? I replied. She looked so tiny and young and sweet and her Victorian-meets-Mod pieces so lovely I wanted to take buyers by the hand and lead them straight to her.

Smith Sinrod (left) with friend
Another young 'un (she doesn't tell her age but she's early twenties) was Natalia Kuks Jacobs who covered all bases with bright South American prints and floaty romantic. (Another trend -  clipping a blond hairpiece very obviously on dark hair - looks fabulous on her. But I'm sure would be more Norman Bates playing Mother in Psycho.)


More South American brights down the row.


Outside the sensory-overload that is Fashion Coterie, I walked for an hour to St Patrick's Cathedral on Madison, which always has a wooded, stone and candle quiet. Outside on the streets, intermittently five, then ten, then 100 people would gather when a line of police and town cars pulled up. Who was it? One of the Jens? A Housewife? Then someone would say: "Oh, it's just someone from the United Nations" and the crowds would disperse.

The busiest place in town was around the corner on 5th Avenue, the new Hollister, a sort of surfer SoCal Abercrombie and Fitch.


Greeting customers in the front were young men and women wearing just their togs. (swimsuits) People were streaming in. I can't remember if I saw any evidence of the day-glo trend, I don't think so. Turns out there's no need for neon when you're blinded by inhumanly perfect abs.






25 comments:

  1. We just got a new Hollister in Dublin too.My young daughter was amazed at the guy in his shorts at the door.Must see if I have any neon relics in my closet.Ha!!
    ~Anne

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did the neon in the 80s and think I'll add it sparingly this go-round. The Loeffler Randall shoes are just my speed!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Strangely, I'm kind of thinking I need those orange shoes. Like, NEED. :)

    Jenn
    The Suburb Experiment

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had my toenails painted neon pink for my trip to the UK last week. I wore a gorgeous Bettina Liano structured white and black dress which looked quite grown up and I thought the toe nails would funk it up a bit. Bring on the neon!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I totally did the neon trend in the 80s and yeah i dabble in it from time to time now too. Got a yellow neon tank from H&M this past Spring and definitely do neon nails. You have me thinking I might really need those shoes! :)

    Have a great weekend! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh I feel old!.. and fat...but what the hey! bring it on...............maybe some colour will put a spring in my step!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Had to put on my sun glasses to read this post. It was that neon bright!
    You obviously are having a grand time, especially looking at abs. The clothes are interesting, though Bears don't actually get into them. Well, Bears other than Hal Jam.
    So, is your next job that of Fashion Reporter for a New York paper?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ooh, I so want to add some neon pumps to my wardrobe! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't jumped on the neon bandwagon yet.... I probably will keep it pretty minimal (ie--- accessories & shoes)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think I'll be jumping in my rocket and zooming off - neon didn't work for me in the 80's and I'm sure it would be much worse on my middle-aged self.

    ReplyDelete
  11. want all neon heels :)
    love this post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. New follower! Love all these new styles! Can't wait to get to know you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the neon...what a fun row of heels!! I also love that pink dress and striped blazer in the fourth photo down!

    I hope you had a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. How much I love these red and yellow pumps!!

    Have a great week, sweetie!!

    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Neons yes i am sure i will but hey 49 - you look amazing - unbelievable x

    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. how fun to see all the new trends for spring. i could go for a pair of neon pumps!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't believe neon is coming in so big--I like it in small doses, but doubt that's how it's going to play at the mall! Are you back yet? Doesn't NYC make you appreciate the clean air of Northern Cal?

    xo mary jo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love neon and I agree that it's strangely flattering on everyone. I am soooo over the drab colours of the past few years so I'm looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Loving the neon heels. I think I could use a pair of neon pumps in my life :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. hi!really nice blog!follow our blog and we will follow you too!
    http://s4sisterstyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. i actually think those neon-colored pumps are pretty cool. :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    Stages of Beauty Giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I may be getting old too, but I still love high heels. One pair in each colour please!

    ReplyDelete
  23. love those neon shoes!!! :) fab post

    xx

    Have a nice weekend :)

    www.sickbytrend.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your photos are so inspirational. I had to pin one to my Pinterest (the one with a girl in a yellow shirt and green maxi skirt). I have recently thrifted a bright (really bright) yellow blouse and that photo is a perfect example how I could style it. Thanks so much for the idea. Now am hunting for a green flowy maxi skirt!
    xx
    Maya

    ReplyDelete
  25. I wish I had a bit more courage to wear neon! I do, however, love Dear Creatures. I always love everything they have!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...