Every so often a seasonal trend will surprise us and perhaps even take a while for us to get used to. Normally designers favour neutral or darker tones for the colder seasons but the A/W11 catwalks were awash with bright colours such as sky blue, lemon yellow, neon orange and lime green. Missoni, Paul and Joe, Valli and Burberry Prorsum were just a few designers and brands who didn’t shrink away from colour this season.

Wearing neon can be tricky, getting the colour balance right is as crucial as picking out fitting accessories, which will project the image of a sophisticated fashionista and not a bad ’80s tribute. For a non-committal take on the trend, choose neon and colour pop accessories to compliment your outfit. At the Missoni for Target launch, Emma Roberts wore a slim neon yellow belt with jeans and a Missoni cardigan, demonstrating how print and colour can be matched successfully.

Taking inspiration from the Versace catwalk, True Grit star and Miu Miu muse Hailee Steinfeld took the trend one step further at the ‘Young Hollywood’ awards party in September. Matching her neon yellow clutch with pointed heels in the same shade, Hailee toned down the look with a monochromatic Versace dress. There are plenty of accessories with which to add a neon pop, from a stack of Carolina Bucci bracelets to hand painted drop earrings by Tom Binns. Earn practicality as well as style points by wrapping around a colour pop faux fur stole a la Paul and Joe sister.

If the likes of Miroslava Duma and Anna Dello Russo are among your style icons, the neon trend is perfect for you. Attention grabbing and fearless, dressing in head to toe neon is most definitely not for the faint hearted. Katy Perry recently wore a head to toe pink Giambattista Valli Autumn look when she attended the Piccadilly Theatre in London.  The crepe cape dress works so well in a vivid neon colour due to its tailored and minimalistic qualities and the semi sheer tights make the look more demure and less outlandish. At the Missoni for Target launch, Camilla Belle also triumphed in vivid brights. Wearing a short, fitted and neon striped dress with minimalistic hair and accessories she looked sub-lime (see what we did there?)!

Don’t be afraid to try neon this season and stay tuned for an iFashion neon trends page!