Complementary polka dots

I had already decided the night before that this Saturday would be another day for shorts. (I had cut down another pair of jeans the night before.) My mind made up, I went out of the shower to discover the sky dark and glowering. Hence the sweater.

Though the shorts came from a pair of baggy pants, I think the stiff and untailored effect goes well with a fit shirt. The tie as belt was likewise an afterthought - a way to make another rainy day a little bit happier.


Polka dot shirt, Topman; polka dot tie and tote, thrifted; jeans now denim shorts, Guess; sweater, Sisley; leather sneakers, Converse; gold watch, Omega Seamaster

New old denim shorts

So I was at Topman, fitting denim cargo shorts that I was about to purchase, before I remembered that I had so many pairs of jeans languishing in my cabinet.

I picked out this old pair, which, although weren't cargo pants, had the same exposed pocket detailing. At Manila's 30℃, the heat is no longer funny, and I think I should be wearing shorts as much as possible - like on weekends - not just because it's summer, but because it's already becoming uncomfortable. So I brought out my scissors and cutter to do the job.

I'd say not bad. I just have to bring them to the tailor to have the back part hemmed. Or maybe, since they're denim, I'd let the fabric fray...but then again, we're talking about shorts here - meaning not much length to spare.

Studded tee, Zara; denim shorts formerly known as jeans, Lee; leather belt, Izzue; sneakers, Surface to Air; leather duffel, thrifted; scarf, SM Department Store

Looking in my closet, I find more items to turn into summer companions - from denim to chinos and fatigues. I think I may soon be needing this pair of "power scissors". Now if only there were also handheld hemming devices.

As for tailored shorts, either I have my slacks altered or get the real thing.

Blue and white polka dots

Patterns like polka dots are best concealed or toned down with outerwear like a jacket or a blazer, but the heat in Manila just doesn't allow that.

Since the sun is so perky, why not play along with it?

Shirt, Topman; jeans, Gap; leather belt from an Italian market; topsiders, thrifted; pendant from Florence; watch, Omega Seamaster

All the patterns and textures

This ensemble shot by Scott has had a lasting effect on me. Subtle sophistication that is a balance of the bold and the muted: just the way I like it.

I couldn't exactly produce a useable combination since I would wither under leather and tweed in Manila heat. But while I look for textural alternatives, here is my take on the multi-pattern motif.

Here I repeat the pairing of this sweater and my polka dot shirt, but I have also added the striped necktie and the leather filigree belt (design not obvious). Come to think of it, with the smooth and slippery texture of the jeans and the canvas material of the sneakers, not only do I have four patterns, but also six textures!


Sweater, Sisley; shirt, Topman; necktie and Comme des Garçons sneakers: both thrifted; filgiree belt, Brave Beltworks; jeans, Jil Sander

The days are endless

That is, when you count the hours and schedule them to the last minute. Being busy isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when you fall sick and realize that you didn't know what you were chasing after all along. Excuse this as another brain fart, or more drivel that I disguise as fashion commentary (haha, wait for the next paragraph). But what is excruciatingly funny is that all those hints that I have been dropping the past year about something "new" coming to my life, some "change", may after all be something that I already had but have only taken for granted. What is funny is that it has taken me more than a decade to realize it.




So these pics were taken last Friday, when I thought I could watch a movie at the theaters even if I was already feeling really woozy. Thought that all I needed was this Topman hoodie that I had just gotten at 50% off. But alas, I was already way into the clutches of whatever virus (not even alive!) that invaded my system. Not helped by really comfy but equally nonprotective Thai farmers' pants and espadrilles. Not helped either by Jake Gyllenhaall and Anne Hathaway trying their best to act with a lousy script. (Though I did love the part where convulsions preceded the I-LOVE-YOU confession.) Hang tight kids.


Black tee, Bench; striped tee, Izzue; hoodie, Topman; Thai farmers' pants and espadrilles bought in Davao; nylon tote, thrifted

Photos by Johanna Hife

Mostly old, nothing new. What I borrowed from you merely made me blue

And I'm back. As silly as ever. Apologizing for missing posts and once again getting lost.




This time I'll stay longer, I assure you (even if this sounds like a cheesy 80s song). The blues will be restricted to ties, polka dots, belts, and ripped Levi's.


Jacket, Sisley; shirt, Topman; jeans, Levi's; sneakers, Generic Surplus; wool tie and belt: both thrifted. Take-away package contains Charlie Chan pasta from Yellow Cab — a favorite

Photographs by Patricia Suzara

The second day of summer

Well, not today, but last Wednesday, and not in Manila, but in the US and other parts in the west. But does it matter where a season ends and where another one begins?

Just saying, since it's been quite a while since a pleasant summer visited the Philippines, and I suppose nothing's wrong with sharing in another hemisphere's joy. (We are, after all, still in the tropics and you can say summer is all year round.)




If there is only one thing that I attribute with summer it is ripe, yellow mangoes. The fatter the fruit flesh the better, and eaten by not slicing through the sweetness, but by peeling the skin entirely.

Yellow is also the theme I have chosen to bind another denim-on-denim outfit.




But since mangoes are out of season (yeah, yeah, seasons are there for a reason), I just settle for lemon tea, or something that I utterly enjoyed while I was in China: chrysanthemum!

Soaked in warm water, the bright yellow summer flower releases not just the memories of the sun (like dandelion in wine), but all the sensations of childhood.


Shirt, Topman; jeans, Calvin Klein Jeans; Claiborne belt and Blanche loafers: both thrifted; gold-plated automatic watch, vintage Omega Seamaster

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Triple polka dots

What I wore today: polo shirt, Topman; sweater, Zasum (Thai brand) bought from Mundo; jeans, Cheap Monday; scarf bought in Mindanao; belt, Brave Beltworks


(Will post pics of my new hairdo soon...) Here is a pic of me wearing this outfit at a party.

Denim on Denim + Black Benedictine

Long after my first attempt at wearing denim on denim, I have finally found a suitable shirt for pairing.

Come to think of it, my penchant for denim-on-denim is in line with my taste for monochrome. Denim-on-denim being its most casual form.




I have accessoried this shirt by Topman with five steel beads hanging on the thinnest of necklaces. Don't want to interfere that much with strong and simple design.




The buttons are meant to resemble mother-of-pearl, much whiter than my coffee-stained not-so-pearly whites.

Shirt, Topman; jeans, Lee; filigree belt, Brave Beltworks; nylon sneakers, Tretorn x Acne; necklace, DIY




Days after, I wore this new necklace from my Sacre line of Bosquejo accessories. Named it Benedictine after the saint on the pendant.




Wore denim again, this time in black. Paired the Sacre necklace with another from the Djinn line, all in black.




I like how this one turned out looking like a striped shirt, with the colors of Charlie Brown's outfit.




Lee shirt and Izzue jeans: both thrifted; necklaces, Bosquejo; skinny belt, APC




I made this necklace thinking that this would first and foremost be masculine. And it is.




But that hasn't stopped my sister from wearing it. She appears today on my streetstyle blog, La Folie Douce, where you can see the rest of her outfit.


Cameos by Patricia Suzara

My latest fix: Gray multi-patterned cardigan

Before I tell you about the Benetton shoot at the Industria studio at Washington Street, I'll tell you about what I did after that.

Friday afternoon, Jamie and I rode the subway to Soho, where I was overjoyed to see the Rogan shop, which had great cardigans on sale. But alas, none were calling out my name. Would have wanted to scout the area — not to mention watch the stylish people — for other favorites such as John Varvatos, Jack Spade, etc., but with the limited time at hand, I agreed to immediately proceed to Broadway's Topman, H&M, J. Crew, and Forever 21 for Jamie.

This Topman cardigan is what I ended up with. The store had lots of blazers I coveted, but none fit well (when they fit the shoulders, they were too long or I couldn't close the buttons…). Was also disappointed when my size was out for H&M's seersucker jackets. Not that I didn't totally love what I got. With more and more threads of my "houndstooth" Sisley jacket going loose, this was a timely purchase. Notice how it camouflages against my sheets? Maybe I'll find a shirt with a similar pattern to go wit it.

(Oh, it was also my first time to enter a Victoria's Secret store. As I waited for Jamie, I remembered getting lost in rack upon rack of lingerie as a kid waiting for my mom.)

A weekend with chambray shorts

I must have worn this two weeks ago, after a trip to Divisoria. Without the jacket of course (it was in the bag).




Some details from a cotton jacket I recently thrifted. I love the buttons with crests.




The double zipper hidden under the flap, the fleur-de-lys zipper handle for the pockets.




Tailored shorts with white buttons.





The bed layout.




I don't usually wear socks with sneakers, but somehow I just felt like wearing them, all rolled down.

Happy Thursday!


Denim shirt, jacket, Converse sneakers, and bag: all thrifted; chambray shorts, Topman; belt, Brave Beltworks; tote designed by Ricky Villabona

Outfit photo by Gina Sales

Technicolor dream belt

With an umbrella! Got it at the thrift store. I know I've seen this logo before, in Hong Kong … Schedule so hectic today that I didn't have time to take a decent picture of this outfit, so here is a reconstruction on my bed, which I am about to crash.

Friday is a busy day because we prepare FT Weekend online. Lots of great reads, as always. Be sure to drop by.


Tee, Marlboro Classics; jeans, Trussardi Jeans; fabric belt and Rabeanco leather bag: both thrifted; cardigan, Topman; leather sneakers, Fred Perry

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EDIT: Ant is right! The belt is from Arnold Palmer, an eponymous design company founded by a golfer.

Rip layering

Remember this studded tee with the Rolling Stones logo that I cut short with scissors? Well, it's now hemmed but I've yet to push through with my plan to reattach the lower segment with safety pins.

Instead, I've decided to wear it with a printed shirt underneath. (I don't know where I picked up the stain, but it looks removable.)

This is how it looks in my night shot, worn with a checkered shirt with the same colors as the tee.

My little experiment of course gave me another idea. The Topman tee is sheer enough for the pattern to be seen even if the fabric was turned inside out. Maybe I'll wear this combination another time, with the same tee or with a black, collared polo.

For now, I'm quite satisfied how it has turned out. And even though the safety pin concept isn't new, I still intend to try it out — my way.


Plaid shirt, Polo by Ralph Lauren; studded tee, American Boulevard; white printed tee, Topman; jeans, Bossini; sneakers, Gola

My sheer pinstripe spring blazer

Fine day today, especially suited for something lighthearted but sufficiently exciting. I've always associated Manila summers with white pants and jeans, which appear doubly neat and nifty because of the glare. Now I have something else to anchor the season.




The blazer has barely any lining — only below the collar and in front to support the pockets. As you can see, the back flap shows how sheer the fabric is. Also the toothpick texture.




I forgot my handkerchief today. For me it is like leaving my mobile behind; I am half-blind without the small square of cloth that serves many purposes. And speaking of handkerchiefs, I think I better find something equally thin and light for my blazer's pocket square. (A brooch may be too overbearing.)




A closer look. Also to show you the length of the sleeves, which stop before the wrist. This is where the denim shirt comes in, which I think is a good, sturdy contrast. Notice in the previous picture how the intentional rips on the shirt are revealed by the blazer?

I think the outfit is as good for work as for lounging, just like the fine and pleasant day.


Sheer blazer, thrifted; denim shirt, Topman; white jeans, Maison Martin Margiela; filigree belt; Brave Beltworks; laceups, Marlboro Classics

Photos by Patricia Suzara

The new iPhone 4, fashion, and planned obsolescence

Hello, Steve (Jobs)? Are you there? You kept me up all night drooling over the world's next cool gadget. Why couldn't you warn us in advance, so we could smooth in changes to our lifestyles? Not to mention to prepare our budgets?

Well, just so you know, my silent toggle is no longer working and an accidental drop has inflicted permanent scratches on my 3GS. This pain has made it easier to covet the next model, damn you!




Good thing, fashion nowadays does not follow the same pace of obsolescence. Past collections and styles and their influences can be revived decades after, or can even be mixed altogether. All one needs is a different perspective, a sideward glance to render something known into something new, and perhaps fresh.

Like for example, wearing my hammered metal cuff over my cardigan, in much the same way as seasoned gents wear their watches over the sleeves of their jackets. An easy way to escape the habit of wearing multiple bracelets and bangles together.

Pre-order by the end of June! Spring 2011 even before then!


Polo shirt, Zara; cardigan, Topman; pants, Custom Made from People are People; belt, Izzue; metal cuff, Hablo; Young Camel satchel (in the background), thrifted

Photos by Patricia Suzara

Casual preppy with Fred Perry

I still remember fitting this Fred Perry blazer months ago. I couldn't forget its fit and the way it felt. I must have spent half an hour inside the dressing room just standing, then sitting, then standing again with the piece on. I couldn't take it off! It was the price though, that discouraged me.




Fast forward to last week, when I found the same blazer in the same size (probably the exact same jacket) hanging on the sale rack. I didn't hesitate.





Even though contrast piping is no longer the "in" thing, it still looked pretty to me. The blazer belongs to Fred Perry's Japanese collection, hence the slimmer fit. It hugs the body in a way that forms a more flattering silhouette.




Here is the lining. Yes, that's also a Fred Perry polo shirt I'm wearing inside, also from the Japan collection, but from the current season.




Paired the duo with slim carrot jeans from Topman. I used the black shirt and the navy jacket to tone down the relatively bright color of the pants. Would have topped off the look with boots, but I don't have a pair that is slim enough. So I settled for strappy sandals.




At first glance, there seems to be the same piping on the Fred Perry polo shirt, but look: a double collar! Like the unexpected sale, it is the little surprises that bring a smile on my face.


Polo shirt and blazer, Fred Perry; jeans, Topman; belt, A.P.C.; Kickers sandals: thrifted

Photos by Patricia Suzara