Day Glow
It's electric! Give summer standards like khaki and white a jolt with a shot of neon.

If you have your fair share of spring's perennial pastels and stark whites, it's time to look on the bright side. Neon is popping up on everything, from Karen Walker's hot pink parkas to DKNY's Technicolr tent dresses. "Fashion has been about referencing the past for so long now, and neon is so intristically futuristic, it feels fresh and optomistic," says Walker. Scottish newcomer Christopher Kane can attest. he kicked off his runway career in London with a parade of flourescent minidresses that earned him glowing reviews. But unless you want to look like a human highlighter, extreme hues call for smart styling. "Neon is like an alarm\ clock," says designer Peter Som, whose fall collection featured acid green belts and blinding blouses peeking out from under charcoal knits. "It instantly wakes up an outfit, so a little goes a long way." Because head to toe hypercolor is an obvious faux pas, Som suggests using neutral tones and soft silhouettes as counterpoints. Layer a saturated tank under a floaty dress, or team radioactive prints with wide leg khakis.
As for accessories? "It depends on your confidence," Som says. "If you carry off a fucshia shoe, then great. Otherwise, a stack of bangles is a fun subtle way to go." -Allison Griffin