Rio Male Beauty Secrets

This just in -

The simplest dictum for the streets of Rio de Janeiro's Zona Sul:

- be easy and take care of yourself

Nothing is as hard to accomplish as effortlessness.

- AP

Weekend Assignment: Fashion 2016

Gentle Reader -

While togas are so yesterday, glimpses of the future can be had right now.

The weekend assignment: fashion in 2016. What does it look like? Why? How did certain trends emerge? How much does fashion diverge from right now?

In other words, become an armchair trend forecaster over the next few days. The results may surprise you!

- AP

Brazilian Prep

Gentle Reader -

The costumes of Carnivale are the easy icons of Rio de Janeiro. The sunga - the square cut men's swimsuit - is almost as well known. But what about Brazilian Prep looks?

Consider the American Prep look, like the late American poet, Elizabeth Bishop, going south:

- Colors: hot pinks mixed with jade green; light blues crossed with yellows
- Combinations: seersucker and feathers, linen and glitter

However, consider these for evening only. Brazilian Prep is a possible direction for cruise (aka, resort) collections for winter 2010.

- AP

Carioca Fashion: Men

Rio is an interesting place for male fashion. Costumes that are made with care and precision are worn only for Carnival; everyday clothing sometimes lacks verve.

So here's to a Rio fashion scene that is 51% Carnival and 49% everyday. For clarification, the feathers are very Carnival. But the swimsuit - better known as the sunga - is classic everyday Carioca.