Neons were once the “preserve” of the rave scene and for someone whose teen years were largely spent in the 90s, neons will forever recall Cyberdog silver miniskirts with Hi Vis accents and bright pink fuzzy leg warmers, drug fuelled psychedelic dance parties and TECHNO, TECHNO, TECHNO.

Or, for the nu rave second wavers, Cyberdog window displays, layers of fluoro plastic Topshop bangles and friends’ questionable Facebook pictures of trips to Ibiza drowning under foam with only bright stripes of colour and pumping glo sticks to identify them (and TECHNO, TECHNO, TECHNO!). The chances are for you, neon may be more lurid tutus on hen parties (Claire’s Accessories own, natch) and essential dress code for a trip to Magaluf. Each to their own.

Loud, garish, and brash, let’s face it: neons have a sketchy past and oft a bad rep. Appropriated with ease as they are by the poorly reputable (has a pastel ̶  neon’s insipid sister trend this season ̶  anything ever been peeled off  before a fishbowl-fuelled shagathon?), neons are like the older girls at school who’d wear DMs, whilst inspiring awe in younger girls with their worldly sophistication and tales of illicit snogging.

Of course, if you’re feeling slightly dubious about the effect of lime green on your complexion, or understandably concerned about being mistaken for a lollipop lady, there’s no need to immerse yourself in DayGlo like a radioactive traffic cone to wear this trend.

Simple neon embellishments on otherwise neutral items (a popped collar; a bright hem) will leave you on the right side of Alex Mack, or brighten up an otherwise plain outfit with neon accessories: a bright shoe with your LBD and a splash of coloured clutch will carry you through without inspiring a single comment about returning to your home planet.

Spring is finally here: let’s throw off the shackles of our dove grey winter wardrobes and embrace the brights anew.  And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be one of the cool girls hanging out behind the bike shed over their drippy, prim pastel counterparts?

Amy Lavelle is a journalist from UK fashion comparison site Style in View. She’s contributed to a number of publications including Spindle magazine.