SOME KIND OF WONDERFOOL

When in the eternal city, skip the finest saltimbocca, salumi and pizza, instead, hit Via Dei Banchi Nuovi, Rome’s yellow brick road to emerald city – Wonderfool!

Think bespoke Italian suits, artisanal personal care products, classic men’s accessories and yes, a full range of spa treatments at your disposal.

Much of the Italian wardrobe color palette is relatively subdued – a mix of high and low, the basics like cotton and linen trousers in khaki, pink with a hint of strong color pop like red and green, leaving an impressive statement. They’ve got it all! 

Hold on, there also is a traditional barbershop inside in case you’re itching for a cut for that last minute dinner with la bella.

(Photos from the Standard Edition and Michele Angelini)

And who said we can’t have a little bit of me time? Think again!

BASIC MATTER 32: CARLO RUFINO ON KEEPING IT SIMPLE

When it comes to my personal style, the most basic and effective rule is “keeping it simple”. Classically well-dressed men like my good friend Carlo Rufino, Brand Manager of local preppy brand, Regatta to menswear designers’ Thom Browne, Michael Bastian, Scott Sternberg and brothers, Kirk and Derrick Miller knew this principle, and so should you.


(Carlo Rufino wearing Regatta and shoes from Opening Ceremony. Photo by Anson Yu)

Hey, it’s 2012 and there are hundreds of styles to choose from with certain classicism with a modern, sophisticated twist whether bespoke, high-street, designer or ever thrift finds from that hole in the wall vintage store.

Trust me! You don’t have to look trendy to look good and yes, you don’t need money to look damn good.

BASIC MATTER 31: MIXING HIGH AND LOW

August Wilson, an American playwright once said, “style isn’t nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end.”

Recently, I have noticed a lot of men are dressing a little more creatively and a little more unexpectedly and yes, more confident. Totally not bad!



(I mean, what is life without whimsy, right?)

I have always liked mixing high and low, mixing my Seven for all Mankind’s, APC’s and Viktor’s with tailored bespoke shirts, my Ascot Chang’s and shirts bought from the nearby thrift shop. Growing up, I always remember my parents telling me that dressing well means dressing like an individual and not like someone who you idolize on television.

I know I am sometimes guilty for staying on the safe side of dressing but hey, I love how a lot of designers now are more on individuality and putting a new version of what we guys should look like. Thom Browne and Michael Bastian for instance focuses more on individuality.



(Don’t blame me for being traditional and oh, those watch straps are sweet!)

I recently purchased a couple of nice fabrics in Japanese cotton and seersucker in purple, salmon, powder blue and white and have a couple of shirts and bespoke shorts made. Yes, creating your own visual style is always the key, let it be unique and hah! still identifiable for others.

STARS, STRIPES AND MANNY PAQUIAO

Great style means having a new voice and not being a copycat.

My mom once told me that, “one is not born with style but can be born with good taste. With style, you learn.”

Growing up with a mom who had a lifelong affair with fashion is inspiring and seeing her through many transformations from her days in Assumption convent, which has kept her image fresh at 60 is pure class.

Like my mom (and yes, my dad too), my approach to fashion is simple and pretty much a work in progress just like my collection of silk and knit ties from all over.



(VITTORIO J is an elite accessory line, specializing in ties, scarves, and pocket squares. This very limited tie is available exclusively through VJNY and retails at a modest $69.00 (plus shipping and handling))

Yes, nothing excites me more than Vittorio J’s limited edition Philippine flag inspired tie. The tie is 100% pure Italian silk and is a variation of VJNY’s Varick King Skull pattern.


"Being born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 12, I've always had a special feeling towards the Filipino people and their culture. So it was pretty natural for me to design something with their flair". - Jesse Chao (Founder)

With Manny Paquiao's big fight against Juan Manuel Marquez this coming Saturday ( November 12 and no, it isn’t a national holiday haha! ), this is a great item to pick up and step out in style.

DOES SNOW FALL IN THE TROPICS?

Living in the tropics where it is summer year-round has always been fun for someone who has more than a couple of crisp white cotton dress shirts as his go to staple. Boring huh!

Brighterman , an online retailer specializing in accessories for men, recently launched their AW range from popular retailers Asos, Topman, River Island and a lot more.



While a lot of brands have established themselves as one of the season’s prep fashion go-tos, Brighterman have kept things preppy and neutral.

I know, my closet isn’t one of the most interesting with half of it devoted to plaids and gingham but hey, it has been proven that combing two seasonal trends equals you not looking like a slave for fashion.

This year, Brighterman combined accessories like pocket squares to bring color with well-structured, tailored pieces, keeping the preppy look from seeming dull and yes, it’s doable.

And guess what, Brighterman has also flashed a glimpse of their new range of knitted socks from Gene Meyer – fun!




Just remember not to overdo it. I mean, the combination of loafers, a satchel, blazer and a bow tie may seem like a good idea, but you don’t want to take a page out of the book.

Don't get me wrong, one can still look stylish living in the tropics.

Now, what do I want to get myself for Christmas?

BASIC MATTER 30 :IT’S ALL ABOUT ACCESSORIES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Looking good isn’t rocket science but hey, if you still have those awful basketball jerseys, cheap boxy dress shirts and baggy pleated trousers in your closet, it’s time to restock your basics and invest in clothes with some character.



You don’t really need to think twice, throw away your most roughed-up shirt from rotation and that shirt with yellow armpit stains, pour it with gasoline and burn! Trust me, it totally won’t cost you a fortune.

For shirts, consider the slim cut button down opposed to the boxy ones you’d usually pick when shopping and remember to tuck the damn thing on.

To smarten up your look, go for this Black Leather Braided Slim belt from Peter Werth, these go perfectly with suit trousers as well as your favorite pair of selvages for a night out and smart tailored shorts for a trip at the weekend market.



Also, hats like the Hessian trilby by Peter Werth offer shade, flair and a twist to your weekend wardrobe of jeans, t-shirt and espadrilles plus, when it isn’t on your head, you can crush it into your weekend tote and still survives nicely.



To top it all off, add a vintage feel to your looks with these Ray-Ban Original Clubmaster Sunglasses. They add automatic originality to your looks and fashion style.

A little bit of new always keep things interesting - embrace it!

3 INCHES TOO BIG AND WALKING DOWN THE WINDY PATH

I am just as guilty as everybody else for hoarding things I don’t really need with hopes that I’ll be wearing them in the future. Recently, I’ve cleaned up my humble closet to make way to a more sensible wardrobe – yes, the basics and believe me, they will never go out of style.


(Photo by DC de Castro)

People say, at 20, style comes first but at 40, you are much more interested in good fabric and precise tailoring. Not! I’m turning 29 in a few months and believe me, I’m more of the latter. I have always liked my clothes simple, precise and clean like having the right trousers, well cut blazers, the right brogues - a closet full of seasonless interchangeable pieces.

A BOW TIE, THE ARCHETYPAL MALE AND SOME WHOOPSIE DAISIES

Devoted to the celebration of the American Renaissance man, Jack embodies the subtle masculine attention to detail every man's wardrobe demands. Each piece is carefully designed to give character to the ensemble while complimenting the gentlemen effortlessly conveying versatility, culture, and style.

Although The Jack Collection will launch an entire line of men’s accessories in the Fall of 2011, the online store is set to release a few limited edition accessories every month until the debut.



The first accessory released yesterday (as seen above), is a modern twist on the classic bow tie: denim.

Follow @JackCollection on twitter for updates and exclusive offers!