We believe that neon is the perfect way to ease back outside and get your groove back. Shocks of the vibrant tones were seen across spring-summer runways like Christopher John Rodgers and Chromat this past season which means it's time for us to activate neon pieces in our wardrobe. Since the 1980s, neon has reigned supreme as a youthful staple.
This time around, the neon trend life cycle is all about bright green. I have curated five special outfits for y'all that will make your transition outside easy like Sunday morning. What matches a hot summer day better than a neon lewk?
Neon Dress + Kimono + White Accessories
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
Bold hues in the form of a ruched dress is what the summer calls for this year. Ruched dresses hug all body types like your favorite auntie. They are welcoming of curves and provide a clean silhouette. Adding a colorful kimono always incites style and beauty, so don't be afraid to use your imagination. To complete the getup, I accessorized with white earrings, a white purse and white kitten heels for major contrast. Don't sleep on kitten heels, sis, they are one of the trendiest pairs of shoes you can don. I wore this on a socially distanced date and my potential bae kept complimenting my style.
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Neon Sweater Co-ord Set
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
I felt so sexy in this short sweater set I wanted to start the 'Hot Girl Summer Reloaded' campaign. I am also starting the 'Make Real Bodies a Thing Again' campaign but we can talk about that later. The bright tone of the coordinate set pairs well with melanin skin but then again we look good in every color. For footwear, I opted for PVC shoes because they are all the rage and they partnered flawlessly with this outfit. The chrome and gold circle handle bag gave it more personality.
Neon Tee + Flared Jeans
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
A simple tee can go along way when styled the correctly. Take this look for example. I couldn't wait to throw on this neon GOD IS DOPE tee, so I coupled it with my favorite flared jeans and a bamboo bag. It's perfectly fun and flirty with the loose fit of the top and the shapely fit of the jeans. The vibe is 70s, but the mood is forever.
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Tie Dye Matching Set
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
One time for the undefeated matching set – between dependability and versatility they make my life easier. Then there's the tie-dye trend that may have replaced our obsession with florals. Some call it a comeback trend but we call it a happy pattern that will never go out of style. Over quarantine, it has become a rainbow sherbert dream if you will. Much like my number, it is perfect for lounging sets. You can also find it styles like dresses, purses, shoes and more. For me, tie dye is reminiscent of simpler times and makes me feel like a kid again. Shop the top and bottoms I'm wearing in the photo, here and here.
Neon Sports Bra + Neon-Lined Leggings
Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
Living in Colorado has forced me to level up my workout gear. I found this set at Walmart and I fell in love with the colorway instantly. Big Rona also made workout gear more appealing now that my living room also serves as a gym. Try adding some color to your gear with your top, leggings and even your sneakers. You will turn heads on your daily run or even as you walk past your mirror.
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Featured image by Joce Blake for xoNecole / All Photography by Curated by Charlie Photography
RELATED
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
