Brutalism Part II

We at the FAD Palm Beach are proud to be ahead of the curve.  Our recent reappraisal of West Palm Beach brutalism may have surprised those who hate the concrete-laden architectural style. But as it happens, we are not alone - our discussion foreshadowed this interesting commentary from Slate:

Brutalism is probably what comes to mind when people are presented with the term high modernism in the context of architecture.

Three cheers to J. Bryan Lowder of Slate, then, for his erudite defense of brutalism. High modernism? Maybe. More likely, we just like to see buildings that look like alien fortresses.  Check out this beauty from Toronto - would you believe it's a library?

On a less serious note, we can also note the similarity between the Toronto library and the iconic Turkeytron character, of Aqua Teen fame:

Mixology

Do you know what I'd like to see more of in South Florida? Print Mixing. Print on print just screams tropics.   It sounds like an intimidating look to pull off, but there are a few ways to ensure your outfit looks polished and fashionable.  It's worth noting that if you're not careful, you could end up looking like you got dressed on laundry day in the dark.

The Fashionable Wife

First thing to think of when it comes to figuring out if two prints match is color.  Second is pattern.   Black and white is the easiest to start with.   If you start with a black and white piece, you can bring in another black and white piece or use color in your other printed piece.  With black and white any color would work well. The look to the right is an example of that look.   The pattern is also important. As you see here, she paired a black and white striped top with a colorful, floral bottom.  This look would be perfect for fall in West Palm Beach.  The stripes keep it simple and the floral print pops. 

Project Runway Avante Garde 

Now if you want to be fancy and show off those fashionista skills, you can attempt to mix two prints. Start by finding a color scheme that works.  The above look is from the Project Runway avante garde challenge, in which Season 12 Winner Dom Streater paired navy and red violet.   She went with a bold larger abstract print on the bottom and a smaller, yet busier, floral print on top.  But it works together beautifully.  The clothes are a little more than we are used to wearing in South, Florida but the patterns are perfect.  Think large and small in the same color scheme.

Sorry for the
 angry look 

Today, I paired a green and navy, floral printed top with a green and white, striped scarf and black pants.  I have also used this same scarf with a black and white striped dress. If you start small with accessories, the style will be simple and less stressful.  I will keep you posted on when I try a bold night look.  

Using Color in Your Wardrobe

So in addition to me covering fashion  here in South Florida, I would like to give out some tips for the fashionably challenged and just generally.  

As I scanned my Florida wardrobe to pick out an outfit for a party, I realized that I have really stepped it up when it comes to one color; coral.  I have bought multiple coral pieces this season and they are either black, white, tan, or coral.  Or at least in that tone. I use a pop color as my guide when I go shopping.  It's very South Florida. 

After working in retail and styling women's wardrobes for the season, I've realized it's much easier to pick outfits when everything matches.  You can still wear other colors you already own when the mood strikes, but your pop color is a shopping guide. 

Colors of the season are expressed through ready to wear collections across the globe. I pick a trendy color for the season and run with it.  It makes my shopping much less schizophrenic.   When I was younger, I would just buy anything; anything I liked.  Yet now I will not make a purchase, unless it's in my color tone of the season or I just love it.  

Another way color guides me is that I tend to buy a lot of black, white, gray and other base colors which you can wear with any pop color you choose  during any season. 

Now I've got to figure out what I will use as my fall pop color.  What color do you like for fall?