BASIC MATTER 38: LOOKING FRESH

In this heat (yes, it’s 29 degrees outside – kill me now!), it’s always good to wear clothes that are light. Mi abuelito and mi padre would always use the term ‘fresco,’ or ‘fresh’ - meaning anything that keeps you cool, basically.

Gingham, plaid (in Japanese cotton), sear suckers, linen, cotton and twill - one reason why my wardrobe’s been the same the past 15 years.

GINGHAM, BETSY AND SOME ART SPACE

Style is personal.  I cringe when people say I am trendy because I am not.

I remember Barron, founder and editor of Effortless Gent saying that “A truly stylish man knows, understands, and respect the rules, yet knowingly defies and breaks them, bends them and interprets them as he pleases.”

(Blue Gingham, silk cufflinks, denim trousers, lace-ups and a pair of bright red tube socks)

No one can stop me from wearing gingham all week and plaid the week after. I have created a uniform of white dress shirts and a plethora of denim and wool trousers in navy and black - It is really not about the labels you wear.  Mom once said,  “Appearance is not the most important thing but it matters” - I agree!

(Enjoying Betsy Westendorp's collection at Manila Contemporary, hours before the interview and shoot)

I have always admired people with a visceral sense of style that is very much their own – think Nick Sullivan of Esquire and Derek Blasberg of Harpers Bazaar and V Man.

Don’t blame me for having a good time.

BASIC MATTER 30: PORTER YOSHIDA

I cannot get enough of these hypoallergenic striped socks I got for a bargain a few years back and my trusty navy gingham shirt from Thomas Pink.

I just love pairing them with my selvedge APCs which I have had for 5 years now, my 3 month old back cap toe Aldens and yes (yes, haters to the left) my newly purchased Porter Yoshida Freestyle bag for some added punch of color.

POCKET HIDE AND SEEK AND STEVEN ALAN

One thing I hate about myself when shopping and yes, I know this isn’t the healthiest thing to do but hey, if you wake up in the middle of the night and you’re still thinking about that shirt you saw earlier at the store, then you should probably come back and buy it the first thing next day, which exactly what I did!


(This Steven Alan reverse seam blue gingham shirt is made out of 100% Cotton and proudly made in the USA)

This Steven Alan shirt blue gingham reversed seam shirt has an interesting twist on the placket and features a hidden breast pocket (I really thought the pocket was accidentally sewn inside) sewn on the inside instead of outside.

And to make things weirder, the shirt I got myself is the exact same shirt Izzy of The Dandy Project bought a few years back. Haha!

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WELL RED

Finally back from my four day trip down provincial south and guess what, a burst of the hottest hue can totally light up your look.


(Pale blue gingham shirt and red short trousers from Ralph Lauren, Ribbon belt from Wright Supply and Espadrilles from Legaspi weekend market.)

Also, studies have shown that sports team that wear red uniforms win more often than teams clad in other colors. Who knows, it may even pump you up enough to finish boring chores faster - Riiiight!

URBAN PREPPY FARMER

Pardon my self-promotion as I watch my skin darken from the blazing equatorial sun in my navy shorts, red gingham button-down shirt and loafers.


(A photo of me, Yup – you got it! Like my friend Anton, I figured we have been very elusive and hardly show our faces in our blogs compared to Ninja boy wonder – Cholo haha)

I might have gone a little crazy but I would rather walk around Salcedo park than toast myself alive inside my room and end up looking like an obese Mr. Gingerbread man.

The truth is, I only wanted to change out of my pajamas. So, what did you wear over the weekend?

Photo by Darrel Pobre of BNS.

BASIC MATTER 16: BESPOKE SHIRTS

I have never imagined myself working lazily on a Wednesday at a seaside café down south tucked in one corner enjoying the view of the pink sand of Sta. Cruz across playing footsies with myself as I write this – luxury has always been my greatest enemy.



Two weeks and 15 yards later, I finally got the dress shirts I had my tailor make from the sketches that I have been working on. A couple of plaid, gingham and tartan with contrasting club collars and plain ones in country club colors like walking down shaded streets in Nantucket. I’m happy with the results.