PLAIN + SIMPLE

I got a sneak peek into plain + simple’s first collection by Manila-based design duo Bobby Sangalang and girlfriend AC Irasusta.



Think oxford shirts, tailored shorts, chinos, and not much else.




A lot of Plain + Simple’s core collection is grounded in neutrals, but it was the crisp white cotton dress shirt paired with shorts and loafers from Opening Ceremony that stole the show for me.

Plain + simple pays homage to the essentials that have made every man look good decade after decade and I love that you can go from the office to a night on the town and still look devilishly handsome.

I'm totally digging it! I may not wear each look exactly as they present them buy hey, they are definitely healthy separates that can be paired with more traditional styled pieces.

BASIC MATTER 22: WEEKEND DRESSING

I am flying down south in a couple of days to take advantage of my first vacation leave in three years and I have been dying to host an afternoon barbeque at our front lawn.

There is something so laidback about the south that I am excited to pack only my basics and hey, we have no excuse not to dress well. Nada!

Shirt | Hamilton Blue Contrast Utility
Trousers | D.S. Dundee Hamilton Trousers Sandwood
Bag |'Birch' Tan Leather Mens Weekend Bag from Equip
Brogues | G.H Bass Barret Suede Wingtip

Chambray, chinos and that classic white shirt looks good if not better on us men when worn wrinkled - such pretty simplicity.

What to steal from dads closet when I fly home - his Panama Hat!

And, I am definitely spending the whole afternoon at our farm with a cold glass of fresh coconut juice – It is too peaceful not to.

THE RIGHT SCRUFF, PLAIDS AND SOME BASICS

(My daily uniform looks exactly like the photo above)

I have always liked my clothes smart and well tailored without being gimmicky. I hate seeing gigantic logos emblazoned on a pocket or breast but I like how each part is perfectly sewn from the buttons down to its lining – a pretty much simple touch that adds flair without the flash.

BLUE'S CLUES

Life can be a bit complicated, but your clothes don’t have to. Just stick to a couple of updated basics or rummage through yours and your dad’s closet for interesting finds you didn’t think you had.

Here are some of my picks:




(Photos from close up and private)

TAN, WHITE, SOME STRIPES AND ALL THAT MATTER

I pretty much stick to my fail-safe basics like a number of crisp white button-down shirts (4 which I got during my trip to Kuala Lumpur last November for only MYR 10.00- around $2.00 I believe) paired with blue jeans, khakis and grey trousers.

I always like my clothes subtle, yet refined.

My parents used to tell me, there's much to be said for understated elegance & discretion - no gimmicks necessary.







I have to say this again, “I like seeing people make the unthinkable work in such an elegant way. It is about how you carry yourself, so if someone seems really at home with what they're wearing, then it's great.”

Effortless chic, does not get any better than that.


photos from Style Sightings and The Sartorialist.

BASIC MATTER 13: UNCOMPLICATED DRESSING

Life can be pretty difficult but your clothes don’t have to be. Just stick to some updated basics.


(fitted chambray and new solid oxford from GAP)


(photo: Outlier)

Trends rise and fall but a good tailored button-down shirt is always a good investment.




Photo: The Sartorialist and Mjölk Homme)

When your brain is fried by all the denim options available, always simplify with an old-school pair that has no special treatments or rips like the dark-rinse blue jeans or the reliable selvedge jeans. You can also go bespoke, locally try Viktors and Defacto. Also, never underestimate the power of a black shirt that’s casual enough for day but stylish enough for night.The best ones that I have are from Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Fred Perry.

At night, work or the movie house, track jackets like the ones I got as a gift from Adidas leave me cold, really cold. I always zip back to my warm, fuzzy, well-fitting green hooded sweatshirt I got at Dean & Trent 5 years ago.

BAG IT AND SOME CHANGE

My lack of posting is due to my lack of full brain function thanks to all the reports ,pitches and client mood boards that I have been busy working on the past four weeks. I swear, I can hardly combine sentences anymore. I hope this doesn't make me loony. I haven’t even had the chance to shop, like really shop shop and hoping I will be able to think in a straight line soon, paint, enjoy a glass of wine or even a glass of cold beer and all that crazy grown-up stuff.

Instead of telling you about today's adventure, here’s are two bags on my wish list this month…ok, next month haha. Photos from hyrcollective

bag from Tannis Hegan for THE and

W.M.J Mills and Co Ice Bag
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Some trala las,I decided to go with a modern one-button black suit instead of the classic three giving the illusion of height which I need haha. Tweaking one thing is an easy way for us guys to modernize an outfit – try it!

Wedding in three weeks – must get myself a nice top and purple socks quick!

Yesterday, right after lunch at plant, my friend Gayette dragged me to go thrift shopping in Cubao and ended up buying this nice plaid suit like top for only Php 50.00 ( around $USD 0.50) – now, what to pair it with?

BASIC MATTER: PLAYING OXFORD

With the weather holding cool-ish in Manila, I was certainly singing in the rain. I had hoped to get one more outing for my cashmere pullovers and my parka jacket for this month. But on donning it this morning in front of my mirror convinced me that the jacket's season is definitely over until typhoon season this June, so to the dry cleaners it goes.

I am going to get a full length mirror soon. Should I lose my beard? Not yet!

MY SUMMER LIST:

Basic oxfords


Sexy loafers from the tag team effort of Raf Simmons and Fred Perry. They come in red and black and the collaborative logo has been placed on the inner sole.


Espadrilles, Canvas everyday tote big enough to carry everything and a nice preppy grosgrain belt


and denim trousers from A.P.C

BASIC MATTER 3 - DOWN WITH TAN AND KHAKI

That’s it! There is a special room for people who insist on wearing basic, blocked, preppy and going sockless at an event like a special level of hell for people who insist on using speakerphones in a shared work environment. Count me in!

What you see me wearing almost everyday

BASIC MATTER

Style is a question of charm, not nationality. It is not true that French men have more allure or style than men of other nationality. It’s just that they dress with more personality. They don’t follow dress codes and sometimes they mix things in a way they shouldn’t.

As for me, I like my clothes simple, laid-back but not disheveled, comfortable and soft without being washed-out or overly distressed. Versatile-you can wear them day or night. ( 1st and 3rd photo from http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/)

Here are photos of my visual mood board of blue, gray white, purple and all things basic:

I deserve a great pair of driving shoes this Christmas or probably next month. Purple driving shoes from Tods ( Photo credit: Thesartorialist.blogspot.com)Basic collared shirts from Fred Perry ( Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Le Tigre too)
Perfect classic do in shades of gray, blue and white – bag envy! (Photo credit: thesartorialist.blogspot.com)