INSTAGRAM AND OOTD's - BECAUSE GETTING DRESSED IS A RITUAL

(Because details are meant to be subtle. They should be noticed and not gawked at - Zac Posen. Follow me on Instagram)

Sometimes, something as superficial as picking a good outfit will actually have profound repercussion on your well being.  Believe me, getting dress is a ritual.

DRESSING HIGH AND LOW: H & M

It’s all about good taste and the right amount of basics put together that makes a great menswear wardrobe.

Though compared to my usual shirts from Ascot Chang, Brooks Brother, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Lorenzini and J. Crew, and trousers from either bespoke or APC and Uniqlo, high street brands like Club Monaco, Massimo Dutti and Zara aren’t investment pieces but are  fashionable alternative to any look.

Think high and low! No, I’m not talking about bargain versions where stitching can be iffy and fabrics are generally inferior. Not those!
Yes, you got it! H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), the Swedish multinational retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children, is finally making its presence in Manila on the 17^th of October.

[Hyperventilating] Skip the affordable and accessible pieces for the more premium Studio Collection. The store will have 3 floors, span over 3,000 square meters, and is bigger than Hong Kong’s Silvercord along Canton and Cityplaza at Taikoo Shing!

I’m already keeping an eye on a couple of pieces and even have my shopping bag ready for the 15^th (hahaha!).

Here’s a tip - when trying less expensive clothing, always pay careful attention to the details: Does the shirt button properly without gaps? Does the zipper on the trousers buckle or pull? Do side seams pucker? Is the fabric likely to pill? And are the pockets strong enough to stand up to a set of keys and serious wear? Yes, be extra meticulous! Still clueless? Window shop and look at magazines and menswear blogs for guidance on styles and options.

NOTHING BUT SQUARZI

Unique, casual and deconstructed, Alessandro Squarzi, founder and director of the namesake showroom and consultancy in Bologna, is arguably the master of Italian sprezz and never looks short of sartorial. 

Arguably the most iconic street style subject in Italy, this man adores Solaro fabric, cotton, vintage, Ralph Lauren, and a well-polished pair of shoes.

“Shopping rituals? I tend to buy whatever excites me.” With Squarzi, it is never something pre-planned. I think that’s all that really needs to be said.

THE BETTER BORIS AND DEFINITELY NOT YELTSIN

Witty and self-deprecating, Boris Ejsymont, the Swede badass with an underlying charm, represents a perfect mix between indisputable Scandinavian elegance and impeccable Italian style.

He describes his personal style as “timeless classic with a mix of Patrick Bateman and Tony Montana.”

Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and Tony Montana in Scarface

Yes, Ejsymont always seems to get the details just right from his sharply tailored gray suits to his navy blazers, paired with his icy glaze, perfect for sealing the deal. He’s definitely not your typical Tom, Dick, and Harry.  “It is all about work which includes a lot of travelling, a strict exercise routine along with a balanced diet and of course, making time for my girlfriend, friends and family,” he added.

Here, he shares with me how having a great eye, a handsome pair of black suede loafers and personal flair can strike you more than just a high fives and a free bottle of champagne.

Who inspires your personal style? Definitely my father who I look up to the most. Growing up, spending countless summers in Italy and travelling the world the past 8 years did put it marks on my style without a doubt.

Yay or Nay? The right color combinations, attention to details, always have your shirts perfectly crisp and your shoes polished always top my list of Yays! And thumbs down to big monograms and tacky designs.

Growing up in Stockholm, Sweden and having lived all over Switzerland, Miami, Dubai and Manila, how has your style evolved? I basically live out of my suitcase. It is normal that one would pick up likes and dislikes from each location when it comes to fashion and trends. Honestly, I always had a liking for “tailored to perfection” Wall street swank, understated Ivy League and the simplicity of  Scandinavian design. I believe I started building my wardrobe way back in Stockholm at 16. Boarding school in Switzerland made me appreciate suits, shirts and ties as it was our daily wear. 

Follow him on Instagram: @ejsymont

IVY LEAGUE + EAST COAST PREPPY = CHESTER FRENCH

You got it right! They're both from Harvard. Music history savants Chester French seem to project themselves as an obvious choice for the new big thing and check out their Beach Boys-infused, Joe Jackson-inspired, hodge-podge indie rock and 1960s swagger style – perfecto!

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF RAINPROOF

You don't have to look washed up in a downpour. These items will help you thrive in the wettest weather. click here to read more.

source: men.style.com

I WANT YOO

My apologies for missing out a lot lately, I have been pretty much buried with a lot of work from press releases to media interviews. Here are some random snaps from indie designer Hayden Yoo.




I'm hoping to get myself a new pair of lace-ups tomorrow.

THINGS THAT WRAP AROUND

Found:Cotton navy wrap jacket with silver crested buttons


With some skinny jeans / tailored shorts and a plain top underneath, I imagine getting a lot of style for very little money.

THOMAS WONG

Some people are very in-tuned with what type of shapes look good on them. For guys, this would translate into not wearing a jacket one size bigger than your normal size, or trousers with multiple pleats. I love the idea of a casual sports jackets worn in a very easy way on a casual day.

photo credit:thesundaysbest

SHARK BITE NOUVEAU PREP

Beyond thrift shops, Rustans, Shoemart, etc, what was my first ‘fashion awareness’? Seeing the movie ‘Jaws’ during the 80’s. I idolized the preppy New England look when I was 7 and now I’m pretty much nouveau preppy.
And yes, I want a bike for summer.

More closet update?

STREET STYLE

I’m loving Estebans’ look – cropped trousers and bulky pullover from 3.1 Phillip Lim, stripped socks from Uniqlo and shoes from Martin Margiella.

l always get a weird look from my mum every time I leave my room dressed in something she seem to not understand (Cropped trousers, striped, floral and colored socks, huge man bag, etc). (still trying to figure out why. Fashion isn’t just about preppy collared shirts and nicely fit trousers..)Photo credit: Altamira NY

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

FEATURED SKETCH ON STYLESALVAGE

I came across ‘Style Salvage’ last October 14, a London based style blog conveyed by the idea to spread the madness brought about by many years of discussion (ie obsessive analysis) with regards to how men (should) dress, had this challenge that I thought might be cool to revive my old Moleskine. I was blog surfing earlier just right after work and boom, the sketch I submitted got published! Pretty cool huh. Visit stylesalvage at http://stylesalvage.blogspot.com

(My featured sketch at stylesalvage)

ME CLOSET KING

Staring into my closet, I gained sudden clarity and threw all my old clothes into my hamper - all of it and I was strangely elated. I could just give it all away to a greater good like ‘manang’ who keeps my room tidy once a month. Give away the pain of those days, and have it completely leave my house, and hopefully ebb from my memory. And, rather than think of it as giving away the joy of those days as well, I decided to think of it as sharing the joy of those days. I felt complete liberation as I closed the now half-empty closet.

Ding! I now have a greater reason to shop and update my closet for next year. Sharing photos from Numero’s editorial - photo mood board for a project am working on for next year.

Coco Rocha on Numero - Why couldn't all clowns be like this

PLAID, PATTERNS AND BLUE JEANS

( Dean & Trent dress shirt, http://greigematter.blogspot.com/)

( Pure Blue Japan XX-007 jeans - Viktor jeans is also an option)

( Dean & Trent pale blue shirt, Photo from http://greigematter.blogspot.com/)

Plaids and patterned buttoned shirts loaded with subtle details are back but it should be upgraded every other season. The version of the moment – with a narrow torso, close cut sleeves, and hidden button ( for much dressier occasions) – looks just as good with a pair of dark jeans as it does with khakis.

EARLY CHRISTMAS SANTA LIST

I have not had a moment to myself. I see photos of bags throughout the day. I babble them to myself internally a few lines at a time, and they disappear into the closet, under my humble bed and inside my shoebox. I think many of them will hide from me forever, but I'm hopeful a few will make it into my list.

Here are five bags on my Christmas Santa list:

Mulberry Small Clipper duffel bag, $1395

Billy Kirk No. 166 Overnight Travel bag, $320

J.Crew Artisan's duffel bag, $495

Lambertson Truex Hughes duffel bag, $615

and a Sandstorm Canvas and cowhide weekender, $350

I miss the mall the most, as when I do have a few minutes to hastily window shop, I feel obligated to reward myself with something. I can already foresee the danger of burning the candle at both ends, as I'm also not getting much sleep since my knee injury. I'm not sure where I'm getting energy through the day---sheer determination and adrenaline, I suppose, as I know there is no other option but to keep constantly moving.

BASIC MATTER - SHORTS, LOAFERS, SOLIDS AND PLAIDS

I love seeing guys – yes, straight guys paying such attention to his style no matter how eccentric (and that doesn’t make them gay for being fashionable).

CASHMERE OVERLOAD

I absolutely love it when the weather turns cool enough that we need to wear a light sweater to warm it up just a bit. There's nothing more luxurious than the softness and warmth of cashmere. I am such a suckers for things that are beautiful, versatile-you can wear them day or night. As usual, I am trying to wear them too early. Here's the truth, men look sexy in knitwear. Whether it's a paper-thin cashmere sweater or a textured wool pullover, there is something about seeing the masculine form swathed in cozy yarn that is irresistible.

So far I got myself a couple from Tyler, Banana Republic, J Crew, Ralph Lauren, Seventy and DKNY.

(top photo: www.thesundaysbest.org )

STYLE SALVAGE PROJECT -MOLESKINE SKETCH

I came across ‘Style Salvage’ and they've got this challenge and I thought it might be cool to revive my old moleskine with some style doodles. Here's my take on the project:

http://stylesalvage.blogspot.com/