Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Fashion Bloggers in Neon and Pastel on Huffington Post

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My story on the popularity of neon and pastel colors is finally up on the Huffington Post. Twenty fashion bloggers graciously contributed their photos to a slideshow, so please go there and leave those wimmins some comments.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY.

I had hoped to publish this story last month, but, as you’ll see, I decided I had to interview various experts to get some historical perspective and style advice. It took me a while to arrange the interviews, then I had to do the mandatory procrastinating, yada yada yada.  I was particularly glad to speak to Allure magazine creative director Paul Cavaco, who was one of the founders of the fashion public-relations powerhouse now known as KCD (formerly Keeble Cavaco & Duka), which I wrote about recently. He was as nice as pie and said such smart things about the fashion industry. I’ll be using more of his interview in another story.

Cavaco helped lauch DayGlo-loving Stephen Sprouse‘s signature line. Sprouse was one of the first designers I was ever aware of, and — even if I couldn’t afford his high-end work — I needed to get my hands on neon. You can see how much it my neon-pink Guess top meant to me this photo was taken on the first day of school of my senior year of high school in 1984. You have to wear your best stuff on the first day!

That's Ringo, my dog from my high school years. He was really mean.

I’m wearing Guess jeans too — the ones with the ankle zip. I’m not sure about the jacket. I look like I have a DayGlo-orange tan in that picture, but it was a fluke of lighting, I swear. I remember being mystified by the skin tone back when I first saw the photo.

My love affair with neon has continued through the years. This neon-trimmed dress that I wore in 1991 was from Ann Taylor. I can’t remember where the almost-matching neon-pink shoes were from but I was obviously proud of them.

Between 2000 and 2005, I got several neon pieces from Versace. I’m still wearing those.

Neon Versace dress in 2008. Click for original post.

Neon-pink Versace suit. Check out my photobomber! Click for the original 2010 post.

Versace skirt in 2011. Click for original post.

I believe my neon-yellow Dolce & Gabbana shoes are from the early 2000s.

Neon Dolce & Gabbana shoes in 2011. Click for original post.

I seem to recall first wearing this Yves Saint Laurent skirt in 2003.

Yves Saint Laurent skirt in 2011. Click for original post.

I bought this vintage Ungaro several years ago from my friend Evan at Frock. Click on the photo to read a story about a conversation it led to.

Vintage Ungaro dress in 2009. Click for original post.

And, of course I have a mini collection of vintage Sprouse, all acquired as vintage in the past decade. (And I have mini photos to match for some reason! Sorry!) The only Sprouse piece I owned in the ’80s was a white blazer that is long gone.

Sprouse jacket in 2008. Click for original post.

1988 Sprouse skirt, worn in 2007. Click for original post.

Graffiti Sprouse skirt.

I have a couple of new neon-pink pieces too, but you’ll have to wait till I wear them to see photos. After seeing all the neon I’ve collected over the years, I’m amazed that I spend most days in black and denim. And, yes, I do fit nearly everything in my not-very-huge closets. People always ask me that! I only keep evening gowns in storage. They take up too much room and are worn too rarely to keep at home.

I’ve always gravitated towards brights so I don’t have many examples of pastels to share. For those you’ll have to check out the ladies on the Huffington Post.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. You have the perfect coloring for neons! They don’t look garish on you at all!
    Ringo the pup! Wearing the best stuff on the first day!
    Sprouse was one of the 1st designers I got obsessed with too!
    Can’t wait to see your new pieces!

  5. Wow! So many neons. I remember Keely (of Casualchickiki.com) suggesting neon for a trend post once and I was like “Wtf I don’t own any neon”… when in fact I own a lot of neon, I even wore it today.

    Great round-up, very honored to be included in it. Always brilliant, Wendy! I love your personal round-up too. My personal fave is the neon pink Versace suit.

  6. Amazing pieces, WB! You have the most enviable closet!
    And that first pic is classic ~ love it!

    xoxox,
    CC

    P.S. My word verification was mobwives: cool.

  8. Hi my dear!! i really love your neon collection pieces, especially the Sprouse ones-the skirt is divine and also your Versace suit and dress, all fabulous pieces for sure! Thanks so much for featuring me in the Huffington post article, its much appreciated! I am such a bad blogger, my mojo is really out of action at the moment what with work commitments and helping my mum with moving house. I do still enjoy reading your posts even though I am not commenting as much xxx

  12. Oh my gosh- your hair in that first photo! I’m so glad I missed the 80s (mostly).

  13. What a fine Anti-spam word you’ve generated, my dear–prosecco. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this post, your InStyle story, and the slideshow. Oh, and thanks for saying “Great trend spotting” in your comment at Portland Oregon Daily Photo.

  14. I asked about the chartreuse skirt on HuffPo — glad to see that I was right. I love your hair in that first photo. Brings back memories. Who is the doggie in the photo? Nice pins by the way.