We've all heard it before: "XYZ trend is the new black!" Well, any style savant worth her salt can tell you that classic noir ain't leaving our wardrobes anytime soon. That said, come sunnier days like these, we're looking for cheery — nay, almost blindingly bright — hues to punctuate our classic duds with a little pizzazz. Enter the neon statement piece. Whether in the form of a whimsical woven bracelet, lace-like clutch, or silky button-up shirt, items in shades like turquoise and tangerine are key to achieving a knock-'em-dead summer ensemble. Check out a few of our favorites below!
Aurélie Bidermann "Do Brazil" bracelet, $420, net-a-porter.com
We've been fans of Bidermann's luxe paper-clip-closure baubles for longer than we can remember. This aqua one would look amazing layered amongst other friendship bracelets — or simply on its own!
Zara Studio blazer, $69.99 at Zara (zara.com for stores)
From the moment we spotted Stella Tennant in this pink-and-black jacket in Zara's spring campaign, we were smitten. And now, lucky for us (and you!) the piece is on sale. Purchase now, thank us later.
Christopher Kane laser-cut leather clutch, $530, net-a-porter.com
Packed with fluorescent layered lace separates, Kane's Spring 2011 collection drew raves from critics and editors alike. And thanks to a nifty Net-a-Porter exclusive collaboration, you can now snag clutches inspired by the designer's color palette of choice. Not into orange? The bags are also available in pink, yellow, and green. Thrifty Thrill: American Apparel Medium Leather Carry-All Pouch, $50, store.americanapparel.net
Bloch luxury ballet flats, $165, zappos.com
Fluorescent feet? Why not! Classic cap-toe flats are an enduring favorite, but in Skittles-bright shades, they seem completely fresh. Editor's Note: We've test-trekked through the NYC streets in any number of flats, and Bloch's consistently earn top marks for both comfort and compliments.
Mara Hoffman embroidered balconette bikini, $275, net-a-porter.com
As we've mentioned, nothing screams "summer" like neon — except maybe an adorable, skimpy swimsuit. So, then, a neon bikini would mean…summer squared? We'll let you do the math here.
Nicole Miller x Indego Africa fabric wrap bracelets, $25 for three, nicolemiller.com
Not only are these colorful fair-trade bangles an adorable accessory, but 15% of their proceeds go to Indego Africa — an organization that strives to empower women in Rwanda. Talk about philanthropic shopping!
Equipment signature sleeveless blouse, $188, shopbop.com
Equipment's silk collared shirts are a staple for many a Marie Claire editor, and it's not hard to see why — they've got clean lines, come in the coolest colors, and are almost impossibly lightweight. This sleeve-free summer version's a definite winner!
Rag Bone/JEAN pants, $165, rag-bone.com
There's a reason stores can't seem to keep these skinnies in stock — available in a slew of neon brights, they're way more fun than your average workaday blues. We like this kelly-green option, particularly paired with those fluorescent-laced Rag Bone platforms! If only we could afford both...