BRING SOME THRILL TO THE APPROACHING CHILL. OF BARBOUR JACKETS AND THE RIGHT PIQUE SHIRT

(Waxed cotton Barbour jackets and pique from Fred Perry are available at  Cockney Rebel Fashion, 43-45 Bridge Place, Worksop, Notts, S80 1DT)

REWIND: After spending 8 days in the south to visit my mom who is currently undergoing dialysis and a side trip to the family mango, durian and purple mangosteen orchard, I noticed I didn’t pack much, only bringing with me 3 trusty pique shirts out of almost 17, 3 pairs of shorts and a pair of khaki trousers in cotton twill.  People who know me well know I only wear my pique shirts to the beach, the farmers market or during casual weekends usually paired with shorts and loafers and never during cocktails. But again…

PAUSE:  Rummaging through my old closet

FAST FORWARD: A month before the year ends, I have come up with a few easy steps to increase (clueless guys) your closet’s productivity. Start with these smart multitaskers that easily create a slew of distinctive looks.

(Oxfords, knit tie and pullovers. Photos from Close up and Private)

Scratch the matchy-matchy. Yes, loosen up your rules and watch your wardrobe horizons expand. A knitted tie paired with an oxford shirt don’t seem like the typical office combo (as opposed to the silk ties you’re used to and wrinkle-free shirts), but with the right fiti and the right accessory (think tan leather belts), they look pulled together.

(A huge selection of waxed cotton Barbour jackets are available at  Cockney Rebel Fashion, 43-45 Bridge Place, Worksop, Notts, S80 1DT)

Hello November! Layer unexpectedly – bring out your cashmere pullovers. Invest – a black or gray pullover may go with everything in your closet, but it reads “dullsville.” Meanwhile, a red one (or lime, navy and purple) single-handedly adds pop to whatever you wear even if it doesn’t coordinate exactly. Keep it all cohesive with the right pair of brogues in either black or tan.

Just because it shields you from the elements doesn’t mean it has to be elemental!  Cleverly conceal your wrinkled (unironed haha) shirt sleeves with the best fitting waxed cotton barbour jacket. Paired with the right slim (not skinny – there’s a difference!) trousers and the right bag ( Filson, Jack Spade, etc.), the look doesn’t become cookie-cutter but still sleep and sophisticated.

(Pique from Fred Perry are available at  Cockney Rebel Fashion, 43-45 Bridge Place, Worksop, Notts, S80 1DT)

Finally, make your outfit last past 5 o’clock. Relax a little and pullout your trusty pique from Fred Perry. With shirts cut like a dream, whyi not? Perfectly-cut pique shirts from subculture brand, Fred Perry, paired with the right tailored blazer, a great pair of dark jeans, canvas sneaks or loafers = timeless!  A staple among the mods in the 60’s, the best thing about Fred Perry is the fabric - they do not stretch nor shrink. In fact, I still have a couple from my dad’s closet in navy, white and black.

Dressing well and looking good isn’t rocket science. Now, impress me.

I TOTE BACK

You might have noticed by now that I am a big bag fan of canvas tote bags and yes, I have a lot. Today, my friend who just flew in from Osaka got me a special edition E-mook from the Fred Perry summer 2010 collection which came in a box and a special item - I almost died.



Like my old LL Bean and 8 other canvas tote bags, they have become my everyday carryall, conforming like a useful canvas friend.

FRED PERRY X LIBERTY

A lot might prefer to pop a few paisleys and flowers on their collar lining but not me. Two quintessentially British institutions, Fred Perry and Liberty have joined forces for Spring/Summer 2010’s Blank Canvas Collection.



The collection of four pieces is like going on a trip to Scandinavia. I’m definitely rewarding myself with two shirts next week and a pair of olive dudu’s from Brian.

ALL THINGS PRETTY ARE NOT MIXY-MATCHY

(Joan Cantemprate, Bag Designer)

Joan was such a trooper when I asked to take a photo of her yesterday at Fred Perry.

I have always liked how she doesn’t really cling to fancy dresses and makeup like the last life jacket on the sinking ship of life and a couple of times strangely put together without creating a complete psychedelic chaos.

She definitely is rare and original.

A few hours later, I got myself a pair of really cheap but ultra comfortable espadrilles. It’s official, I’m reviving them from last year’s color frenzy.


(Bespoke linen shorts and espadrilles = Summer love)

I may have completely turned into Mi Abuelito but hey, they’re a great alternative to flip-flops which really don't look good on some men.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN AND THAT AQUA VESPA

Way back in grade school, my parents would always buy me a new pair of white canvas sneakers from Tretorns and Keds every year for casual weekends and sometimes wear it while playing golf instead of my ugly black spike shoes not until 6th grade, when my dad got me a present from the Laurel Shop. It was love at first sight and I couldn't stop wearing them eversince.

I thought of looking for it when I flew south for the holidays just to find out mom gave it away 5 years ago.

Earlier while waiting for my friend Mike for lunch at the nearby mall, I decided to check out Jappy's shop and ended up getting myself a Kingston twill tipped sneakers -it's pretty low profile in red and blue stripes.


(Love the red and blue stripes and this aint no congressional campaign.)

I love them and I don't care that they're painfully uncomfortable and half an inch my size, they couldn't be more uncomfortable than my vintage suede moccasins dad gave me last October.



On my way back to work, I spotted this guy in his aqua Vespa with his boston terrier and discretely took a photo of him using my humble ixus. A perfect slow Tuesday in the metro - I sometimes wish life was always this easy.

PREPPY MONDAY

ELAINE STA.MARIA ( Buyer - Paul Smith, Fred Perry, Dotdotdot)

I love the idea of making a bold statement with her white Fred Perry canvas sneaks -especially when the rest of the outfit is neutral. Everything about Elaine is perfect!


January slowly slipped away from our frozen fingers as we fall deeper into the heat of summer and I am developing a deep emotional relationship with the canvas sneaks I saw earlier at Fred Perry. I tried them on (Thanks Elaine!) and wearing them is like putting your feet under a sleeping dog or into a pillow filled pillowcase.

THE WAIT IS OVER

The wait is over. Fred Perry Manila is now under construction at the new Greenbelt 5 wing. Just in time for Christmas. Yeba!