Day-Glo: electro-cute or shock-and-awful?

By didifraioli Posted on June 6, 2008 - 11:55am

Rihanna's acid color trip

Rihanna needs a new umbrella. Because the one she's been using can't seem to shield her from that neon light storm she keeps getting caught in.

Like it or not, Day-Glo is back.

Ok, so maybe I was hasty in blaming Rihanna's umbrella. No, instead it looks like she decided to fully adopt, nay, embrace, the neon trend that lit up the runways in spring 2008 collections — which for some gawd-forsaken reason seems to resurrect every decade since the '60s. Only this go-round, we probably can't blame it on any psychedelics. Looks like we need a priest to kill this trend for good.

Yes, I'm being harsh. I know. Maybe I'm cranky because my office failed to pay homage to National Donut Day during our usual bagel Friday this morning. But sugar and trans fat deprivation aside, with the exception of toenail polish, I find this neon trend completely gauche.

I mean, c'mon, let's be honest. Rihanna is drop dead gorgeous, so she can pull off any trend and still look good. And she's a performer.

She can get away with super, over-the-top, costumey makeup. On someone who either isn't as fortunate in the appearance department, or isn’t a teenager, we'd all think she looked like she's been chewing on a pink highlighter.

And I'm going to piss off a lot of neon aficionados, but if you’re not a Rihanna-caliber celebrity or a high school girl, stay away from the Day-Glo makeup unless you want to look like a Times Square hooker or East Village drag queen. Actually, I take that back. That’s an insult to Times Square hookers and East Village drag queens — they’ve come a long way.

My take: The '80s called. Even they don't want their Day-Glo back.

But . . . Day-Glo and neon-colored toenails look fun and fresh on just about everyone.

It’s flip flop season, and bright-colored toenails are perfectly on-trend, and make women of all ages look stylish and youthful. Here are two new collections to try:

Essie Neon Collection

The highly anticipated Chanel Robertson Boulevard Colour Collection, which makes its debut in July.

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By mrswhite072895 on June 11, 2008 - 5:21pm

I was just about to cry when I started this post, but stopped when you said neon toenail polish was acceptable. Why would a grown woman cry about someone dissing neon make-up? Because I'm wearing dark neon green toenail polish. Actually, it's more of a green Skittle candy-colored green than neon green, but close enough.

I'm not even daring to go any closer to neon colors via clothes or accessories, because as one wise fashion guru said: "If you wore it in high school, then you're too old to wear trend when it comes back around."

By CandyMandy on June 9, 2008 - 10:23pm

I love neon blues, turquoises types, and purples. The orange makes me look like a zombie so i try to stay away.

By lauracarsonmiller on June 8, 2008 - 12:39pm

Adore the term shock and awful...so GREAT. I just came home from vacay to the Essie Neon Collection. I will put the yellow on my toes tomorow. The other shades are too much for me. I wouldn't wear any of them on my nails...gonna give the others to one of my cool nieces.