Fashion is neon bright

There was a time neon gave color a bad name. 

Unlike this year’s warm Mocha Mousse trend, neon is quite imposing — bold, loud and over-the-top. Think hot pink, lemon yellow, bright lime green and vibrant orange. It’s just so out-of-the-box that people shy away from it immediately. 

But how did the neon trend even begin? It was the 80s that birthed the new light into fashion. Fabrics were dyed with super bright colors. Neon was such a rage back then that people began calling it the “neon decade.”

But it was “material girl” Madonna and Jane Fonda’s abs and VHS tapes that catapulted neon into mainstream. Ultra-bright colors were so in that even elite socialites like Paris Hilton were seen donning it. 

Now, neon is making a comeback of sorts. 

For Fall/Winter 2025, fashion houses are embracing the eclectic palette into their season’s collections. A bubblegum pink power suit? A yuzu marmalade mid-length dress? Why not?

“Neon shades often evoke a sense of energy and playfulness, making them particularly appealing during warmer months and festival seasons,” Kay Barron, fashion director at Net-a-Porter, said.

Prada, for example, has added vibrancy to its fall line. So has Tom Ford with Haider Ackermann’s debut vision featuring pieces in yuzu and lime. Tory Burch, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Givenchy have also leaned into neon. 

Jacquemus sheer dress that Dua Lipa wore to a show in Capri, Italy and the Maison Margiela turquoise MM6 are ushering in an even greater popularity swing for the latter half of the year with neon. 

Hot pink is probably the color on everybody’s mind, thanks to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. Margot Robbie, the actress who starred as the fashion doll, recreated decades of Barbie outfits for her press tour. While the buzz around her super pink wardrobe died down, bright bubblegum pink a la Barbie continues to dominate fashion courtesy of Prada and Gucci. 

Neon violet, when worn right, seems to be as beautiful as the other colors. You just have to kick it like Dries Van Noten and AlainPaul who made the color wearable and cool. 

Dior, Louis Vuitton and MGSM all have injected a dose of dopamine into their portfolio with total neon looks and accessories. Talk about high fashion, right?

If you’re confident and a fashion risk-taker, take cues from Versace, Alexander McQueen and Christian Siriano. The way you wear it says enough about who you are. 

“The biggest misconception about neon is that it can only be worn for bold statement looks, or that it’s too overwhelming for everyday wear. Many people shy away from neon because they perceive it as too daring or difficult to style, fearing it might clash with their existing wardrobe,” Hong Kong-based model Angie Ng said. 

Neon trend is going to get even more brighter and blindingly bold. Its future is “neon” bright.