Can you wear neon colors at work? Can you wear neon yellow over 40, 50, 60, … ? Are neon colors in style? All these are questions my readers often asked. Read and see, get inspired to add more fun to your look when and how.
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Neon Yellow – a Childhood Favorite Fashion Color
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved sunflower-yellow, chartreuse, citrus and/or neon yellow. It all started out with my Mother’s love for knitting. She knitted me a straight long sleeved neon yellow dress with a crew neck. This dress was the perfect dress that I loved to wear with a great wide brown belt with silver colored buckle and brown tights. I loved this dress. Thank you, Mom.

How, When, and Where Can You Wear Neon Colors over 50?
It is a real thing that childhood outfits influence your style in adulthood. Ever since, I have had a knack for this color. However, growing up it moved from right in the face and full on like that dress, to small doses like a necklace, belts, pom-pom hat, and shoes. Ever since becoming an adult I replaced my neon shoes, when the old pair was worn out.
Confession: Currently, I have neon yellow pumps, neon orange and neon pink sandals.
Neon colors are a perennial trend that pops up every now and then. Many stylists say the color is for kids, teens, and twenty somethings. They argue that the color is non-professional and fun. Sure, it’s fun, especially for the weekend, skiing, and the gym. Therefore, anything neon is hard to style for professional women. However, there are ways to get away with it.

How Can You Wear Neon Yellow over 40?
Sure, neon colors over 50 sounds risky. However, they are the perfect pop of color to create interest with a classic all neutral monochromatic outfit. As a result, thumbs up for neon colors!
The trick to look sophisticated and office appropriate in neon colors is to go for pieces that read high quality like a neon cashmere sweater (see the review of my Citrus cashmere sweater), statement designer footwear, or ageless prints on scarves having a pop of neon color.
Pair the neon item with classic basics (see photos), and accessorize with classic jewelry, for instance, pearls.
Stylist tip: Stir away from anything in neon that reads cheap.
Chartreuse Looks Great with Gray and Black
Chartreuse falls halfway between neon green and yellow. The name goes back to a French liqueur of this fascinating color that hit the market in 1764.
The word chartreuse is also fascinating. It contains the word “art” and “reuse”. There was a vintage/art store in Fairbanks of that name. I always wondered whether the name was picked with this in mind or just because of the craziness of the color. Of course, the store sign was in this color. Speaking of art, it also applies to fashion.
Fashion is the material. To wear it in style is art. 😉


Fun Facts on Neon Color and Gas
Neon is actual a chemical element and a noble gas. Noble gases doesn’t undergo chemical reaction. Neon provides a reddish orange glow when used in low-voltage glow lamps or neon advertising signs. The red emission line of neon leads to the red light of helium-neon lasers. The gas itself is invisible.

Photos: G. Kramm
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