I am not one to turn my back on a challenge. Even if I came to work earlier with an ensemble that somehow did not work with my bright blue jeans, I returned with an outfit much more to my liking.
Tee, Underground; jeans, Bitter End; hooded vest, thrifted; leather sneakers, Converse;tote, American Boulevard
Though I posted something about bright colored jeans ages ago, I still don't find it easy to tone down these domineering colors.
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
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
My shopping principle has always been to only to buy things I particularly like because there's something special about them. Each item has to be like that. I trust that pieces loved in their own way can come together to form remarkable outfits.
I'm willing to spend a little more for such items, but if I really have to buy basics, I turn to thrift stores. As I have mentioned before, my trips to such shops began with the need to expand my office wardrobe.
But this time, thrift shopping has also provided me an opportunity to tread on relatively new territory. After stocking on skinny, horizontal tipped, and colorfully patterned ties in silk, wool, and cotton, finally, I find vests, a navy jacket, and yes, my very own cutaway.
I found most of these from a store that ships from Japan, so that even if there are no big-name labels, there is impeccable Japanese tailoring.
I suspect these vests were made by the same tailor. Now I have to decide if I want to send the navy one on the right to a tailor here so that the satin back can be replaced or if I want to keep the wear to let the piece have that lived-in character.
I love the cut of this pinstriped navy jacket. It is slim and the sleeves come right before my wrist.
If you remember the day I wore my tux jacket with drawstring pants, I was wishing for a cutaway jacket to make the outfit better. Well, here it is. The fit is likewise perfect. I am excited about all the combinations, both casual and spiffy, I can create from this formal piece.
Now it begins. These gold and bronze leaves baptize my wardrobe with its first brooches.
So here is the happy camper in the store where I bought most of the ties (not the jackets). In total I spent PhP1,700 (US$36).
I am still ticklish from the anticipation. Sending the clothes to the drycleaner right after I post this.
Elmo tee from Greenhills; open bonnet hat, 5cm; micro houndstoot pants, Custom Made; filigree belt, Brave Beltworks; leather sneakers; Converse; PVC bag; 5cm; gold watch, Omega Seamaster
Just a quiet Sunday out scanning the bazaars. It was all sunny and humid, then the afternoon went all orange before the sky rumbled.
Clouds were probably as crumpled as these pants I thrifted. I honestly don't know what they're called, but rolled up, they go well with this check shirt, also thrifted. At first, I thought its bottom part was accidentally bleached out. Apparently, it's part of the design.
Now the sky is all black. No doubt about that.
Thrifted shirt, Calvin Klein Jeans; pants, thirfted; sneakers, Converse; tote, American Boulevard
Here is what I wore today. Again paired my thrifted navy blazer with jeans, but this time, also with sneakers. The Penguin tee I decided to work into the outfit to add a classic touch.
Pretty simple compared to the wardrobes used in the five DVD titles I was able to buy this afternoon: Ashes of Time (Redux) by Wong Kar Wai, Red Cliff by John Woo, The Last Metro by François Truffaut, Burn after Reading by the Coen brothers, and finally The Fall by Tarsem. Below are their trailers, plus some video covers and movie stills.
Ashes of Time (Redux)
This is probably the remaining Wong Kar Wai film I haven't seen, except for Blueberry Nights, which I have a copy of, but I haven't gotten around watching.
Wong Kar Wai + Tony Leung Chiu Wai + Maggie Cheung = the unbeatable mix. Expect the unexpected.
Red Cliff
Tony Leung Chiu Wai is also in John Woo's Red Cliff. Although I am not familiar with Woo's work, I like epic Chinese movies and am also a fan of Leung.
The Last Metro
This one I almost left in the shelf until I saw the name of the director, and once again, the lead actors. I don't think I have seen Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve so young.
I just have to say that I like the green sweater Depardieu is wearing. That's all.
Burn After Reading
Okay, so this movie is not that period, or old, but the outfits and the treatment is so contemporary American that I included it under the "costume" heading. Plus, it's by the Coen brothers, and Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton appear in it.
This was screened, I think, just for two weeks here in Manila. I wasn't able to see it, so I immediately bought the DVD when I found it.
The Fall
Now, The Fall. I wouldn't have known of its existence if it weren't for Ant of Alphabetical. How could this 2006 gem of a movie been hiding under a rock and beyond my notice?
And this is what brings me to the second half of my topic: admit it, the lead actor's vest immediately caught your attention.
Besides the band jacket detailing, it looks interesting because it reminds you of a matador. I want the button detailing for my own jacket, but since this is already very ubiquitous, I want to play with the idea of having a tailor create a hybrid.
Spencer ricamata con bottoni, Alexander McQueen; obi, Kyoto Komono. L'Uomo Vogue Gennaio 2006
I want it with the fine button and sequin detailing of this Alexander McQueen piece. I am not yet sure how I would have it made — if everything would be a shade of a single color (black or gray) or if I would use buttons and sequins (shiny or matted or both, and in different sizes) to simulate other patterns, say, python skin.
I admit that the original may have one too many buttons and it would be hard to use such a piece for day-to-day. Maybe I will just reduce the number of buttons then compelte whatever pattern I decide on with fabric. Who knows?
All I know is that I want a unique jacket all my own and with the details I am fond of. Let's see what I (and the tailor) can come up with. For now, I will have to turn Manila inside out in search of the perfect buttons and sequins. I hope the idea is feasible. Let's see!
Navy blazer, thrifted; jeans, Marlboro Classics; tee, Original Penguin; sneakers, Converse
I must say, this initial affection for sheer layering is now becoming addictive. Not only is airconditioning deemed unnecessary, the way the material mixes with the color underneath offers unique texture that simple seasonal layering cannot provide.
I was a little apprehensive with the size of the cardigan but thought it logical that such thin material shouldn't be worn close to the body. Good thing then that I was able to dig out these pleated trousers I mostly wore in the nineties.
Sometimes I wish I worked and lived in a city with parks or accessible suburbs, so I can have mood pictures for my outfit posts. Or even areas with abandoned buildings. But I suppose the random things and little suprises in the same tired streets of Manila's central business district will do — in the meantime at least.
At the center of my outfit yesterday is an animal claw pendant that I made into a brooch-cum-tie-pin, which fastens a temporary skinny scarf. I have posted this safey pin brooch before, after buying a bunch in different sizes.
Even if I may seem like an urban caged gorilla in my restricted city confine, inspiration always finds its way between the bars. But it may be time for a change of scene...
Tee, Polo by Ralph Lauren; tie and cardigan: both thrifted; jeans, Jil Sander; leather sneakers, Converse; pendant, American Boulevard
It was raining last Sunday. As usual, my espadrilles were caught unaware. Coming from Quezon City, I decided to visit just one thrift shop in Anonas, and though my hemp and rubber (what's left of them) soles were wet and squishy, I found not one, not two, but four new-old pairs.
The pattern on these Two Percent Homme mid-cut sneakers may well represent the wave upon wave of floodwater in Manila. Of course they could also be scales.
Or hills with scarce grass, blue with nostalgia.
There was also another printed pair, in the same color but not hue.
These Converse All Stars were covered in cornflowers (since they're blue, not yellow). I like the dark navy.
The print is now one of my happy thoughts, right beside Garfield and Friends.
I could easily have gone home after spotting the two sneakers, but persistence led me to this: a pair of Ronsports sandals (made in Spain) with something that looks crocheted. Not sure if these were for girls or guys, but I didn't care once I was able to put them on.
The material follows the contours of your feet.
My foot hammocks!
Then, just as I thought things couldn't get any better, I spied upon these wild things.
Cat-like creatures with shiny hair and rose and leaf patterns instead of spots.
Instinctively, I moved away from them, not in fear, but to gauge them from afar.
Again, it was only when I wore them that I was convinced that I had to have them. Against my skin, they seem to almost purr.
They have furrows like eyebrows. I still have to think what I will wear them with, but that can wait.
Together, my thrift shoe quartet sang in chorus in my room. An unlikely group if there was any.
Most certainly, another unexpected thrift shoe experience. (Though there was also a jacket, but for that, as for so many other things, there is next time...)
