Before the rains came...

...there was still no rain, obviously, but lots of wind, flying ties, and hair swept the other way. The day ended not in red, but black and all the shades of gray. Sure hope the sun hangs on longer tomorrow.

All thrifted: shirt, Izzue; jeans, Bossini; laceups, Clarks; tie, Resilio. Leather belt, Izzue; buttonless vest, Dean & Trent; socks, Oleg Cassini; watch, Tissot

Photo by Patricia Suzara

Gray cable knit

No, I didn't fly to any temperate country. And though I would champion tropical layering anytime, I just couldn't resist. I brought this sweater out, just for kicks.

Sweater and thrifted shirt: both Zara; jeans: Jil Sander; eco-friendly scarf, thrifted; thrifted laceups, Clarks



If somebody made a stainless steel or aluminum chainmail vest, I'd probably also wear it. There's just something about the pattern created by links.

I can't turn my back on them, even for a few moments during a tropical afternoon.


Photos by Patricia Suzara

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

Brown monochrome in white heat

Everything appears washed out at the height of noon. Makes me long for clear, white sand and the sea breeze.

In the meantime I have to settle with the breezy sheer shirt I recently bought in Pasig (matched with the equally recent maroon brogues) just to be able to pick up the slightest dips in temperature.




Summer is, after all, the season to bare skin.




Yes, the shirt was itchy as feared, but by the middle of the day that didn't bother me anymore. What I noticed more was the fabric air-conditioning and my shirt's perfect fit. As suggested when I bought it, it goes very well with these Martin Margiela wool-cotton trousers — with wool more for the texture combination than for insulation!


Sheer shirt, Structure belt, and Clarks brogues: all thrifted; trousers, Maison Martin Margiela

Photos by Patricia Suzara

A pair of brogues, a fatigue blazer, and two bags

Finally, something light and fitting for spring. What I particularly like about this thrifted Izzue blazer are the wired hems, which give the piece a certain character. Also something for me to fiddle with!




There are actually my first pair of brogues, by Clark and in a shade of maroon. Am a little worried about the wear, but I hope shoe trees will smooth out the creases—if only just a little. I'll let this be my practice pair, until I find brogues that are perfect for me. In the meantime, I'll have as much fun as I can with these.




This bag is not mine. Got it for my sister, from the same shop as the items in this post. Honestly, I don't think the bag is that feminine. One of these days, she won't notice its absence…




Here is my loot thus far, plus a cream-colored scarf and a red knit tie.




I actually went home after buying the items above. Then I went back. Good thing since I spotted this trashbag tote by property of… I saw my name all over it, so I got it. More than the trashbag nylon, I coveted it for its hardy leather handle and trimmings.

Thrift shoe red alert

Help! I've got to decide before lunch which of these shoes — those that fit — I should get, lest they be swept away by the winds of fate.

This first pair is very comfortable, and unless my eyes are mistaken, they are from the house that John Lobb built. The only problem is that the leather at the back of one heel is already flaky from use. Are they still worth it?



Now this woven pair, which remind me of Dries Van Noten's latest offerings, I can only pine for since they're not in my size. They come in size 8 and unbranded, so if anybody out there wants them, give a quick holler.





These Clark's Wallabees are adorable, if a bit snug. I wonder if they're part of recent reissues or date back to earlier releases. Thing is, they're priced a little above what I'm comfortable shelling out.



Red Wing boots! Again too big for me, but I just have to share this find. What a wonderful shade of red to go with the laces and the thick white soles. They are a size 9. I can get them for you.





Now I don't really have words for this last pair. Even if they're a little too big, I am willing to wear corks or even extra socks just to be able to wear them.

The brand is Cardi, an apparently obscure Italian label I couldn't Google. I love the color, the staining, the detail. All of it! What should I do?