Clasp act

Looks like the fisherman's clasp is having a fashion moment.

I've seen it being by some fast fashion brands, including our very own Plains & Prints.

Ate Bullet was drawn to this jacket the moment she saw it. Needless to say, we had to get it.

The combination of the black denim and the fisherman's clasps gives it a very industrial yet chic vibe. To soften the hardness of the jacket, we paired it with a soft and draped skirt from The SM Store, and mules from Zara.

This gives the look a combination of classy and edgy.

SoMeone's excited

They say that Christmas in the Philippines officially begins on September 1. 

Or does it.

It's August 27 and you can already see this at SM.

Even n August, they've got it all - including Christmas - for you!

If it ain't broke...

Saw the new logo of Ivory in SM today.

It's another redesign of the logo. The first one was sometime in 2013, and back then, it wasn't as nice as the original.

As a user of Ivory products since my childhood, I've grown to love and grown attached to the brand and notice little changes like this. 

I've said it before - their old logo was already great - simple, pure, no-frills. This new one doesn't have that same vibe. In fact, it feels a bit antiquated and old-fashioned. It also lost its sense of purity and simplicity.

Really. They should've left it as is.

Honey, I shrunk the Chinoiserie

You know it's a trend when even kids clothes following it.

Thus is the case of the Chinoiserie that has been mentioned here a few days ago. During a routine visit to The SM Store, this super cute and super fashionable ensemble caught my eye.

The top is a Chinese-inspired denim polo from Just Kids. It''s actually a boy's polo, but it'll also work for little girls. I actually got this for my apo, Sab. Luckily, they had a skort made of a similar material, and that's what I got to pair it with.

This ensemble is a perfect example of "small in size, big in style."

Double Denim week: Blowing bubbles

 No, this isn't a post about that popular 90s clothing brand. But that begs the question, "What happened to Blowing Bubbles?"

But that's not what this post is about.

We're on day 2 of Double Denim week, and today, we have this outfit that's centred on a bubble skirt.

The skirt is from Penshoppe, and was on-sale! Then, the top is from SM Woman, and it was also on-sale at 50% off.  

This outfit is another example of "classic with a twist." The top is a classic looking button down, but the bubble skirt is the twist part of the story.

And now that I"m realising that this is also an LFLTAT outfit, I'm blown away!

Double Denim week: Out of the Boxy

There are so many nice denim pieces out there these days, you can actually dedicate a week for double denim pieces.

And that's exactly what I'm doing.

First up is this denim duo that has a very relaxed and boxy fit.

The top is from the RAF x Nicolo collection. It's a tie back top made of medium wash denim. It has a boxy silhouette which gives it a modern edge. The belted, wide-legged pants are from The SM Store, and the shape gives it a super easy-breezy vibe.

If a nonchalant, cool-girl went out in a double denim ensemble, this would be it

LFLTAT: Stuck on Rugby

During my stint in HKG, one of the things that Hong Kongers would anticipate was the HK Rugby Sevens. It's a sporting event that became part of pop culture, and people would show up - costumes and all - to watch the rugby games.

That's why around April, you'll see a lot of Rugby themed merch floating all over the place. 

I'm actually a fan of Rugby shirts, and I've always had 1 or 2 in my closet. Right now, there are 3 in my rotation - 2 from Bench and 1 from SPAO.

While passing through SM Cubao, saw a Rugby shirt that was on-sale. Conveniently, there was a pair of baggy jeans that had the same colour story as the shirt. Those 2 sale items gave birth to this outfit.

This is so sporty and fashionable. The best part, it rang up to less than P1000!

Let's play Rugby!

Pinoy Pairing

I'm a fan of the solihiya pattern.

I'm a fan of Pinoy prints.

And SM has a barong that pairs these 2 nicely.

Would this be something I'd wear? Not really. It's a tad bit too flashy for me.

But it really is a nice barong.

One skirt, two ways: Sleeve me alone

Today's after mass lunch was at Robinsons Magnolia, and it's always fun to walk around this mall. The vibe is chill and laid-back, even if it's a Sunday.

Of course, Plains & Prints is on the agenda. Lo and behold, they were on sale. Apparently, it's a Robinsons Mall sale, so only selected branches are part of this.

Some of the items on sale are from the Michael Leyva x Plains & Prints collab from 2024. One item that was on sale that Ate Bullet doesn't have yet is a black skirt with the signature scarf print and a front tie. It's a dressy skirt with an attitude, and it can be worn two ways.

First, pair it with a textured knit top from SM GTW. This has a classic t-shirt style, but rendered in a knit fabric. The ensemble is giving fashion editor.

Second, pair it with a classic, boat neck sleeveless top from Uniqlo. The colour and cut of this top is so French, and it gives the ensemble a Parisian mood.

Amazing how small details - like a sleeve - can give an ensemble a different vibe altogehter.

LFLTAT: Nylon is now!

From kids wear to teens wear to adult wear, it looks like the nylon-ish fabric is making its presence felt in fast fashion.

At first, this utilitarian fabric was used for streetwear essentials like parkas. Then, it transitioned to more every day wear, like the nylon dress at Uniqlo. Then, they started showing nylon coords for kids. Then, there was nylon everywhere.

Recently spotted this nylon skirt at The SM Store. It was a parachute style skirt made of nylon material. It had cargo details, and the bottom half was detachable. Very well-thought of details. 

The best part is, it was 50% off! So, even after pairing it with this muscle shirt from Human - also 50% off - the total outfit rand up to just around P700!

Further proof that a little nylon, and a thousand bucks, can go a long way in fashion.

Color Story: Sand just like that

Sand is one of the more underrated colours in my book.

Not as pristine as white, not as creamy as beige, not as strong as khaki.

But it has a touch of those qualities - pristine, creamy and strong.

Qualities that make it chic and effortless. Just like this outfit.

This sand duo - top from Mango and skirt from The Landmark - has that right balance of qualities. Add the Mary Janes from The SM Store, and you've got a look that can go from work to weekend.

Nothing rough about this sand.

LFLTAT x Color Story: Taupe tier

Sales about after Christmas day.

Retailers know that people have a lot of Christmas money to burn, so they give them a gentle nudge and suggestion on how to do it. 

Because of these sales, it's so easy to churn out a Look for Less than a Thousand, that can also be a Colour Story. Just like this ensemble:

It's a very classy and classic taupe look, but with something extra. The top is from Baleno at The SM Store, while the pants are from H&M. The pants are particularly interesting because it has that faux layered look, thanks to the lace overlay.

For the price - which is just around P900 - is a top choice!

Color Story: Children of the Cornflower

Saw a cornflower blue knit top at Memo, and it was on sale!

Of course, I had to buy it.

Next task was to find items to pair it with. That's when I remembered that there were a few light denim items in the stash that looks like cornflower.

Et voila!

The pants are from The SM store, and the vest is from the Plains & Prints x Marc Nicdao collaboration.

LFLTAT: Resort to this

Here's another yield from the SM Megamall sale.

And because it's a sale, you can be sure that it's a look for less than a thousand.

The dress is from Coco Cabana, which is The SM Store's resort wear line. Actually, they have a lot of nice clothes - both is style and in prints. Mom has a couple of Coco Cabana clothes in her closet.

But this particular dress is for Ate Bullet. It's a linen dress in an olive green hue, and the halter neckline is what makes it very interesting. The slides aren't from SM but from The Landmark. It's a brand called Shooz, and this jute slide fits the resort vibe of the dress perfectly.

All you need is a beach and this outfit is good to go.

LFLTAT x Color Story: Caramel Cool

There was a dress in The SM Store that caught my eye the moment it was brought out a few months ago. It was a caramel coloured shirt dress with an interesting pleated overskirt that ties in front. It was so classic and chic, and would add a touch of sass to any closet.

Strangely, though, I never got around to buying it. The dress magically disappeared from their shelves.

Now, I know why.

At the recent SM Megamall sale, the dress was back, and it was 70% off!

And after checking out Solemates, which is one of SM's house brands, saw a pair of caramel coloured flats what would look great with the dress.

Thus, today's cool outfit was born.

What' cooler is that this outfit added up to only P698!

You gotta love SM!

Color Story x LFLTAT: Season of Grays

So, it's the SM Megamall 5-day sale, and it's obvious that there will be a lot of LFTATs that can be created from the finds in that sale.

True enough, was able to snag a look that wasn't only a "Look for less than a thousand," it also falls under a "Color Story" post. And here it is:

This is such a classic, chic, a bit British, a bit Thom Browne and all affordable. 

The pleated gray skirt is from Uniqlo, and the sweater top is from The SM Store. Together, this look just rang up to P989.

But yes, it looks much, much, much more expensive than that.

Coat me on that: Feeling Phillip

Something about this coat reminds me of Phillip Lim.

It might be the vibrant colours and joyful prints. Or it might be the fact that the print reminds me of his collaboration with Target.

Whatever it is, this coat is enough to make a statement.

Coat me on that: Coming up roses

Everything's coming up roses.

Particularly this coat.

I'm actually surprised that they have a coat this chic and cheap at The SM Store. 

The material is neoprene, which is why the coat holds its shape. There's a bit of flounce on the hem, and the sleeves have this bubble detail. So much chic-ness in one outerwear.

Coats like these make me wish that the weather in the Philippines be more coat-appropriate.

Coat me on that

Here's something that you don't normally find at The SM Store.

Coats!

But surprisingly, they have a couple of nice coats in a section where you won't expect to find them. At their house brand section.

Actually, there were a lot of nice coats and it was difficult to choose which one to buy. But after much thought, the list was narrowed down.

First up, this cocoon coat.

The shape of this coat has a nice arc. The sleeves follow the shape, it's also curved. This combination of curves and arcs is that makes it distinct. And what balances it out is the fact that the fabric and colour are very classic.

This is sure to elevate any outfit.

On cue

It never fails.

When September 1 hits, all these come out.

The Christmas season has officially begun. Especially at SM.