Drawstring pants for summer

As I was saying, I was glad to see drawstring pants worn with shirts tucked in for Richard Chai's previous Spring 2009 collection, as belts can sometimes be cumbersome. In my case, there is really nothing like soft, baggy pants to start getting used to the sudden change in season in Manila.

The button-down sweater, of course, is just a precaution for airconditioned offices and establishments. Otherwise, they are best left tied to your messenger's shoulder strap.

Sweater, Muji; shirt, Old Navy; leather sneakers, Converse; pants, Marks & Spencer; watch, Omega Seamaster

Crest on crest

Since I like different parts of this outfit, let me focus on them separately, in the manner of Jak & Jil and Style Bubble.



I like the repetition of crests on the tie and the shirt, though they are of different design.



It is all but natural that the pockets of these nylon pants are found on the front, and are doubled by zippered compartments. These pants are probably among my favorite pairs.



Also these hybrid leather spectator shoes, which look oddly more interesting with the nylon pants because of the hem drawstrings.

Overall, I feel good combining different textures: wool, cotton, nylon, semi-leather, and leather. Joining the parts together feels like creating the complete meal.

Sweater, Muji; shirt, Ben Sherman; nylon pants, thrifted; braided leather belt; vintage; spectator shoes, Giordano Concepts

Gray uniform with a stainless steel razor brooch

Took these pictures after watching the last full show of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean. Call this my interpretation of the Thom Browne look.




This is my first prototype for a Bosquejo brooch, all pinned to a cropped gray suit jacket. Made of stainless steel razors and nuts. No, you can't use them for shaving.




It's as big as the gigantic flowers sometimes worn by women as brooches. I was actually wearing just a white v-neck that afternoon but decided to change into something both sheer and striped (also reversible).





Plan on making a smaller, less monstrous version. Can you imagine a ring with razors?


Tee, cK Calvin Klein; trousers, Muji; jacket and Clarks laceups: both thrifted; electric typewriter case repurposed into a brief

What's in My Bag III

It's been a while since I last used this leather messenger I bought from an artisan in Beijing more than two years ago.





Now it comes in handy strapless and as a relatively thin portfolio for my iPad (also my 13-inch MacBook Pro, but not together since they won't fit), with a little more space to stuff in my Bosquejo jewelry tool kit (which I use to customize necklaces on the spot). The Starbucks tumbler I can only place when there are no big Apples.

Happy new year to all!


Other contents (in no particular order): Berocca effervescent vitamins, gold book marker with Roman design from Bath, brandless multi-pocket pouch in beige, pliers, different types of pliers, file, caliper, cable wire spools, clip iPod Shuffle, plugs and adapters, black multi-zip net pouch from Muji

What's in My Bag IV: Cambridge Satchel/Muji and me

Before anything, would just like to say that my umbrella was supposed to be black as well, but in a fit of violent rage, I broke it (don't ask). So now I have one in blue plaid, from 7/11. Surrounding my new 15-inch Cambridge Satchel are little pouches that I've managed to accumulate with my gadgets. They contain wires, chargers, and adapters for my camera, laptop, iPhone, and iPad (I gave my iPod to my sister); flash disks and external drives; and something to plug my headphones to amplifiers.

At the lower right corner is my pencil case, with lead for mechanical pencils and post-its in the mesh compartment. The one at the upper right is for my Swiss Army knife and keys, since the satchel has no zippered sections. All the cases are from Muji, except the one at center right, which is from Beabi and is now falling apart.

I have too many things, I know. I think the Cambridge Satchel can only carry my peripherals. It will force me to bring only those that I will actually use within the day.

Blue and brass

This was what I wore last Friday, but these pictures were taken last Saturday. Don't ask. These past few days have whirled past me in a blur, and there is even more to come! So says the weather report, ie my schedule.




Need to get back to the gym, not just for my gut (sorry), but also to clear my mind. How else can we stop and smell the flowers (though yellow bells have no scent) amid all the distraction?




Wearing the Benedictine necklace from Bosquejo's Sacre collection, whose new pieces I will be delivering to stores soon. No time to hold my breath...

Happy Monday!


Jacket, Muji; tee, C.P. Company; jeans, Two Percent; beanie, 5cm; belt, Brave Beltworks; crocheted sandals, thrifted

Zuzeca and Panda

Apologies in advance: you'll be seeing my face more often than is necessary in this post as I experiment with the format of my blog entries. I think I wore this black-and-white outfit last Friday.









I wanted to wear a Hardware piece against black, but without being as somber. So I wore the Zuzeca necklace over the first three buttons of my cardigan, but left the rest open to reveal a striped tee underneath.









Zuzeca is part of the latest Hardware series, called Dragons, which can resemble snakes and other slithery things.









I love the resulting contrast in solids and stripes, the almost feminine silhouette literally weighed down by steel and made masculine by leather and denim.









So who is Panda? Like my outfit, he also comes in black and white (hence the name, according to my sister), but has a moist nose and white whiskers. Remember him?





Cardigan, Muji; tee, Ralph Lauren; belt, A.P.C.; jeans, Calvin Klein Jeans; sandals, Kickers, thrifted; "Zuzeca" necklaces, Bosquejo

Breezy silhouette

I've worn these Thai farmer's pants before, with a similarly fitting jacket, but I haven't shown you just how comfy this pair can be, and, paired with a darker top, more expressive.




I like how the ribbed hem of my Muji jacket ends just at the top of the one-and-only pocket of the pants, which almost belongs to an apron. Hence, I have to carry my wallet and phone. (Murse, anyone?)




Big bad buttons! And my (mom's) hammered Hablo cuffs.




Look ma, no shoes! It takes a while to wear the farmer's pants since I have to fold the excess fabric on both sides before tying the string from the back. I don't have four hands, but elbows sure come "handy"! The bunching up of the extra cloth forms the creases, giving volume form. (I know I've been wearing these crocheted sandals to death, but they're so comfortable that I wear them every chance I get, especially work Fridays!)




See what I mean?




I know you know it's warm. Let me tell you a secret: I'm actually intentionally sweating to help lose that nasty gut! Seriously though, the jacket usually stays in the office. The remaining A.P.C. tee and trousers flow easily with any hint of breeze.




So flares are back for women, while wide, baggy trousers have never left my closet.


Jacket, Muji; tee, A.P.C.; trousers from Aldivinco, Davao; sandals, thrifted; cuff by Hablo

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Nighttime intermission

One of the best parts of the day for me to write occurs between the witching hour (3 o'clock) and early morning, when everything is still and only silence has wings. But when I clear everything to set down ink and no inspiration materializes, I am usually drawn to set off.




There is no particular place. Sometimes I just ride a bus from one end of a national highway to the other. Even if I've already seen the places the bus passes, I gaze out to watch people, gather sounds, and smell the wind.

It's funny that I have a public blog with my face on its pages, when many times I just yearn to hide and disappear into the thick of things, or like a poet once said, to become a net, a sieve for existence.




Dragging concepts back to street-level, I did my own catching of inspiration the morning I decided to wear this outfit. The shirt is black-and-white plaid and the jeans in fatigues, just like what Taylor Tomasi was wearing when she was snapped by streetstyle photographer Tommy Ton. Also fished out this bag to ape Taylor's quilted accessory. The additional sweater was supposed to be just for the office, but I retained it for the nighttime motif.




So here I go, once again fading into the night. Who knows where you will see me next.


Izzue short-sleeved plaid shirt, black satin tie, and black leather bag: all thrifted; black sweater, Muji; jeans, Trussardi Jeans; sneaker, Generic Surplus

Black and relaxed

These have been the laziest of days. Quite evident with my lack of outfit posts. I don't even want to get up, much less put in some effort in dressing. Blame the rain, blame the dragging year, blame the dark and the lack of inspiration.

But I definitely cannot blame the color black, which is reliable in these times of indecision. Today, I decided I wanted the color in layers, mixed with a little navy blue. It's power lies in its ability to become instant armor.

Yes, I'm still in Manila. The reason why I can wear three top pieces is because of thickness. The bottom tee is really just an undershirt. Above it, is a thin, sheer, double-breasted cardigan that weighs almost as much as a scarf. The sweater, of course, is just for the office, and comes off once I leave the building.

I have found that it is possible to do layering in a tropical country, just as long as no single piece is thick. I have also found that it is alright to be lazy in coming up with an outfit, just as long as you have tried and tested a few reliable combinations.

(For those who work in Manila's central business district, can you guess which building I am in?)


Tee, G200; sheer cardigan, Zara; sweater, Muji; skinny jeans, Two Percent; nylon sneakers, Tretorn x Acne

Outfit photos by Patricia Suzara

The bare bones of it

No matter how you go about it, things will always come down to lists. Although I have never answered any slam book-type (slam book?) questionnaires on any social medium, I'd like to share a personalized version on how I know that I have made the most of my 24 hours.




1. I am able to clear my mind in the morning and write something new: maybe just a line of poetry, or hopefully a stanza. Or rewrite the same. I know I'm really lucky when I actually finish a piece in one sitting.

2. I am able to read something that moves or absorbs me: a chapter of fiction, an eye-opening personal account, a well-written essay. No, an entire hour spent reading tweets or blogs does not count.

3. I am able to design a new necklace, fulfill an order, or even just nibble on a new idea.

4. I have talked to someone who has made me question my perceptions/opinion about a specific topic.

5. I have spent at least an hour in physical exercise.

6. I am able to sleep well.




I think that's about it. For me the rest are a bonus: blogging, shopping, sitting down to a fulfilling meal with a good friend, watching movies (no TV please). Though it would be nice every now and then to repeat my morning ritual in the afternoon: me with my coffee, in silence, waiting for the day to ease while letting the surging city rush through me.

What's on your daily list?


Jacket, Muji; polo shirt and belt, thrifted; trousers, Maison Martin Margiela; bone necklace, OS

Photos by Patricia Suzara

El Bosquejo takes on Don Protasio

I know some of you may take it as a travesty what I've done to Don Protasio's flowy fabrics. But how I played with the clothes is no different from how I styled my red and blue kimono. I love the huge lapels and of course the tiny, semi-trompe l'oeil-ed pleats.




All bunched up at the back, not very different from Japanese men's yukatas. Wearing the top with drop-crotch pants with front buttons, bunched up with the help of a skinny belt. Just look at the flow of lines! I suppose when I wear these next time, I will let things hang more loose. What do you think?


Sleeveless hoodie and drop-croth pants, Don Protasio; polo shirt, Muji; sandals, Kickers; belt, A.P.C.

Photos by Thysz Estrada