Peacocks

Most guys are comfortable in shades of brown, grey, and black.  Dark suits with uninspired pastel shirts for business and varied shades of grey with dark denim for weekends.  Not especially resplendent or memorable.  However, there is an trend that is turning traditional men’s looks on its pointy little head.  In Italy today uomini are wearing summer pants as vivid as the season’s favorite flowers.  They aren’t embarrassed or ashamed to wear pants in bright pink or bold lavender. 

Urban American men have long strutted in Technicolor finery.  Consider R&B performers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s--The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Spinners, and Chi-Lites--who were always suited up in flamboyant outfits in teal, baby blue, or cherry red.  You may remember how everyday dudes from the car wash showed up at the club on Saturday nights in Easter egg-colored pimp daddy suits, or matchy-matchy ensembles in purple, royal blue, and sunset orange.

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Contemporary urban summer menswear is drenched in color.  Brothers in peach, lavender, and lemon yellow shorts with matching shirts are a typical sight.  These displays of color may appear less than masculine, but its lineage can be found in ancient civilizations where the colors and styles of clothing worn were indicative of one’s social status. 

Menswear designers are stepping deep into the Crayola box and playing with sticks of dazzling color.  Check out this link for more on the trend.  In a recent NY Times “On The Street” montage photographer Bill Cunningham stated that “The mirror of our age is not on women’s fashion--it’s on men’s….”  From everything I’m seeing on blogs and other media, he’s right. This trend will continue in 2013.

Males in full plumage--strutting, preening.  Captivating, colorful trend setters. 

Do you think the men in your life will adapt this style?  Would your dad or boyfriend wear a rose colored suit to work?

Gorgeous to the Maxx!

Maxi dresses continue to dominate the season.  This year’s versions can be found in colorful tribal prints, outrageous florals, inspired graphics, and simply saturated colors.  It’s a flattering style for most body types and lends a lady an air of elegance.

I scored this great dress on a weekend at the shore with friends.  During a break in the beaching we made a pilgrimage to TJ Maxx where I fell hard for this fabulous Calvin Klein frock.  This is a more sophisticated design than most of the casual maxis on the racks. It can go to theater, brunch, or Paris because it’s every woman’s go-to color--black--and its princess styling is classic.  I love it as a blank canvas for loads of fabulous accessories--silky scarves, neon hued belts, and head-turning statement necklaces.  A cute cropped cardi is the perfect topper.  I can wear high wedges or flat jeweled sandals with it although I chose to rock it with my favorite spring green Naya sandals.

Ch-ch-Chaka Khan…Chaka Khan

Chaka--then and now

As you may have heard or seen, the amazing singer who is known to annihilate microphones during recording sessions has transformed herself.  She ain’t “Chubby Chaka” no more!

As the dynamic front woman for the 1970s R&B band Rufus Chaka Khan rocked tight bell bottoms, leather chaps, and mini-tops that barely covered her midriff.  She seduced her audience with a powerful voice and a figure 8 figure.  But, time passed and that figure 8 grew exponentially. 

Fast forward to last week.  Chaka appeared on the season finale of “American Idol”  in a slinky mesh catsuit.  At age 59 her figure 8 is back--the hard-earned result of a health crisis.  I admire the discipline it took for her to bring it back.  Check out the pics of the fabulous Ms. Khan!

On "American Idol"