Can women over 40 or 50 wear neon? Well, Boomer women’s travel clothing can include bright colors when tropical vacations and tans are involved. Yes, all Boomer Chicks know, by now, that neon is usually best left for 20-somethings and 5-year-olds, but Oprah Magazine said to do it, so why not give it a try?
Dressing Chic
Is there a tasteful way to give an outfit the cheap thrill of neon? Yes, if it's done right. Hot colors are fun for spring and summer.
Fashion conscious men and women have traditionally concurred that, a lady who has worn a trend the first time around is too old to wear it again. Well, what if a Boomer Chick has worn neon, not only in the 80s, but also in the 60s, when neon was, instead, called:
- Acid Green
- Hot Pink
- Day-Glo Orange
(Put that black light away. If a color glows in the dark and is on something large enough to be seen 4 miles away, ditch it. )
Small Amount of Neon
How to wear neon. First off, to wear neon without handing out sunglasses, most of a woman's outfit needs to be a neutral color, like:
- Black
- Gray
- White
- Tan
However, if an ensemble's main color is black, care must be taken to ensure that the neon is a grayed-down (a less glowing) version of what was worn in the '80s, or a woman will start to look too NASCAR, in every sense of the word.
Almost Neon
A bright color is "almost neon" if it doesn't glow or resemble any hue worn by road crews or any color used in the making of plastic cones. For inspiration, search for colors used by Andy Warhol, whose palette was not of the same intensity as those old slap-on plastic bracelets from the 80s.
Neon Handbag Purses
Here are some accessories to consider:
- Michael Kors Dress Belt or Uptown Astor Clutch in Neon Pink. These gorgeous pieces work well for elegant skinny chicks. And, try out neon at a cocktail lounge before going public because if the effect is all wrong a gal is going to want everyone in the room to be drinking.
- Paul Smith Chloe Neon Clutch Bag
- JPK Paris Nylon Bucket Bag with Chunky Hardware in Grass (green), Tamarind (orange), Hot Pink, Lemon (yellow), Mykonos Blue
- Betsey Johnson Glitzy Floral Satchel
Neon Accents
Here are some other good ways to add some pop without looking too bubblegum:
- Hooded Zip Tunic and Lotus Tank by Neon Buddha
- Halogen Elbow Sleeve Cardigan in Glaze or New Glacier
- Adidas 'Peach Tree' Watch in Neon Pink, Neon Blue, or Neon Purple
- Newport News Linked Watch in Shocking Pink, Green Apple, or Sunny Yellow (see photo)
A lime green, acid yellow, or hot pink scoop tank can be cute on vacation or if one lives in a hot climate. Use common sense, here. Another possibility is to only have a tiny bit of neon, as an accent, on one’s:
- Cuffs
- Trim
- Belt
- Gauzy Scarf
A tee shirt can work as long as it has no legible words or graphics of Blondie (or any other bygone genre). Just buy that punk rock shirt for the granddaughter or grandson, and take the grandchild along as an accessory.
Neon for Older Women
Many "experts" explain that neon should only be worn if it's good with a Boomer Chick's complexion, but what these younger people don't realize is that black, near the face, is often worse than many bright colors. Black can really age a face.
Wearing a bright blouse, which just peeps out from under a jacket, is an easy way to add strong color. Hey, live it up. Life is short.
Neon Shoes
In some people’s minds, neon on a pair of shoes looks like a mid-life crisis. Well, there are lots of good clothes and accessories to check out. Remember that less is more, though some vacation spots are absolutely perfect for neon looks.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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