How to wear... the neon shoe

For a date night on Sunday to mark her 20th wedding anniversary, Victoria Beckham opted for a Posh Spice signature in all-black, including a buttoned-up jacket and leather trousers. But the former popstar made one very 2019 update to her look, with a pair of electrifying neon green pumps by Balenciaga.

This isn't the first time Beckham has stepped out in fluorescent heels. The acid-bright trend is big news this year, and the fashion icon has incorporated them into her outfits for everything from a football match at Old Trafford to a night out with Kate Middleton.

She drew criticism for wearing a white dress to footballer Sergio Ramos' wedding last month, but we loved the look as a modern, modest take on summer dressing. The printed dress is a wardrobe staple, and Beckham's chain print midi style was particularly flattering. To finish it off, the pink satin pumps were an inspired choice, and had us rethinking our approach to summertime footwear.

This season, mix up your usual tan and black sandals with a bolt of vivid colour. Versace, House of Holland and Sies Marjan embraced neon shoes as part of a head-to-toe ensemble, but that level of brightness can prove overwhelming off the catwalk.

Instead, celebrities and street style stars have been adapting the trend for greater wearability. VB favours pink and green pointed-toe courts with dark denim and plain T-shirts or high-waisted trousers and a pleated blouse, always in monochrome shades.

At the Paris couture shows last week, Mandy Moore put a white-hot spin on a classic Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a shocking pink lip and vibrant neon pumps, while Bella Hadid debuted the first pieces from Rihanna's Fenty fashion line on the streets of New York. In a typically daring look, she paired a white denim corset dress with razor-sharp patent leather sandals in lime green.

Peak holiday season is on its way - not to mention the scorching temperatures hitting parts of our own country in recent weeks - so it's worth noting that a neon shoe will complement a tan beautifully, particularly when worn with pristine white dresses and jumpsuits.

If you're still as pale as milk, don't worry: for an instant boost, just add a neon sandal or court to a T-shirt and straight leg jeans and you'll immediately look pulled together (for a fashion-forward twist, go for jeans with a deep turn-up hem to draw further attention to your feet).

Statement shoes can bring a playful touch to occasionwear this season too. You may not fancy a white dress for a friend's wedding, but the combination of white and eye-popping pink, green, yellow or orange will spice up outfits throughout your calendar of summer events.

For evening, a neon shoe can support a generous dose of sparkle too. Try a dazzling top and jeans or a more muted black sequinned knee-length dress with satin slingbacks, like Attico's ankle tie pair, for a show-stopping night out ensemble.

You'll want to avoid looking like a traffic light, so if you're keen to introduce more colour, steer clear of piling on the neons (a task best left to the professionals), and try a contrasting tone, such as this season's neutrals. Pinks, oranges and greens work surprisingly well with understated beige.

Most importantly, walk with confidence. Yes, people may stare - a pair of neon shoes loudly and proudly demands attention - but just hold your head high and put your best foot forward.