Shades of Pale

Gender blurring pastels may be the colors of the year, but they don't suit our fiesty social arbiter

Sorry, Pantone. I just can't buy into "Serenity" (aka baby blue) and "Rose Quartz" (aka pale pink) as my color(s) of the year. These were the pasty choices made by the arbiter of fashion color for 2016.

Pantone pulled a fast one this year with its much-ballyhooed color selection by naming not one but two colors as the be-all and end-all of fashion for the coming year.

The firm notes that Serenity and Rose Quartz "demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace."

Well, I'm a jewel tone sorta gal, whose only pastel in the closet is lavender. I loved Pantone's Radiant Orchid (2014) choice and thought Marsala (2015) was intriguing. I'll be leaving the 2016 selections on the store shelves. Just too namby pamby for my fiery taste.

Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. And Pantone's did take a very thoughtful approach to the 2016 color selection.

"In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design," Pantone explained in its announcement. "This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity . . . "

Yes, the colors are already available from various fashion houses and in the Pantone website.

Describing the soothing colors as a way to counter stress, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement, "Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness, as well as a soothing sense of order and peace."

Still, I'd rather wear Radiant Orchid.

Serenity is said to blend with Rose Quartz in a calming motif.

beauty

POSH PICKS

Irish retailer Primark brings discount clothing to first Houston store

Photo courtesy of Primark

U.K. retailer Primark, brings its low priced, trend heavy fashion to the Houston market for the first time.

European import Primark is finally landing in the Houston area. Shoppers will be able to score budget-friendly finds at Katy Mills Mall when the fast-fashion giant, known for leaning into trend-forward clothing, opens its doors on Thursday, November 20.

The brand started in Dublin in 1969 under the name Penney's before switching to Primark to avoid competition with U.S. heavyweight J.C. Penny's as it expanded outside Ireland. Today, it operates in 11 countries with 470 stores worldwide, including over 175 in the United Kingdom. Its largest outpost in Birmingham is a massive 161,000 square feet covering five floors.

While the store can't compete with the U.K. version's size, coming in at 30,000 square feet, the prices more than make up for it. Shoppers can expect women's denim starting at $12, men's t-shirts at $5, and kids' sweatshirts at $8. For about the price of a family meal at the food court, shoppers can pull together looks for the whole crew. In terms of quality, price, and style, its biggest competitors are H&M and Zara.

primark Shoppers will line up at Katy Mills Mall as Primark opens its first Houston area store on November 20.Photo courtesy of Primark/Instagram

The Katy opening is Primark's third Texas location, following McAllen and El Paso, and is part of the company's expansion across the United States. New stores are rolling out in Illinois and in Grapevine next month. In a statement, Primark U.S. President Kevin Tulip said, "These vibrant retail destinations in Texas reflect the incredible demand we're seeing across the country for affordability without sacrifice. As we continue to grow, we remain laser-focused on delivering unbeatable value and fashion that fits every family's lifestyle."

To celebrate the grand opening, Primark will offer a weekend of fun, family-friendly activities, including live music, giveaways, and delicious treats for early-bird arrivals. Shoppers will find a full mix of women's and men's fashion, kids' clothing, accessories, homeware, and beauty once the doors open at Katy Mills on November 20.

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