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.

Color Story: Foxy Browns

Brown is a colour that always has a space in my shopping basket, and eventually, Ate Bullet's closet.

For me, it's just like black and white clothes - you can't have too much of it.

That said, here's another outfit inspired by this hue.

The top is an interesting piece. It's made of a suede-like material, and it has a boxy fit. Trust Zara to come up with something as fashionable as this. The skirt is from Landmark, and it has an interesting texture - it reminds me of those foldable Chinese lanterns. And the sneakers are also from Zara, a pair of brown sneakers that have a soccer vibe.

This mix of textures and shades make this brown ensemble a standout.

Model Behaviour

A few months ago, was in Zara in Megamall and paying for my purchase. There was something playing on the screen, and it was the first time that I really stopped and watched it.

Gosh! It was iconic!

This was Zara's 50th Anniversary ad. They took 50 iconic models, one for each year. And the cast was like the encyclopedia of supermodels!

They had Twiggy. They had Cindy. They had Paulina. They had Naomi. They had Alek. They had Karen. They had everyone!

The cherry on top? It was directed by Steven Meisel.

This is the model of how anniversary ads should be done.

Color Story: Life's a Peach

Here's a nice example of a high-low combination, brought together by one of my fave colours - Peach.

The top is from Zara. It's a cable knit top with a nice organza ribbon detail on the neck. The skirt is from Plains & Prints, and is an A-line skirt with an overlap detail and an interesting print.

This combination lends itself well to either a party or a casual weekend. Whilst the designs look a bit party-ish, it's the peach colour that grounds it and makes it feel more like an everyday outfit.

Perfect!

Denim & White: Pearl-fect!

The fact that this is the 5th post in a row that features denim & white is testament of how versatile the concept is.

And here's today's fashion entry.

The top is from Zara, and what's interesting about it is the fact that it has a built-in pearl necklace. Yes, it's attached to the dress by a metal chain and clasps. And because there are clasps, you can actually remove it. (Especially if you'll wash it in a washing machine.)

To make the outfit even classier, we have dark denim jeans and ballet flats.

Perfect!

Do your Pilati-s

I've never heard of Zara doing designer collaborations before, so this window display at Zara in Ginza totally caught me by surprise:

Apparently, they have this collaboration with Stefano Pilati for FW 2024. 

Yes, Stefano Pilati. The creative genius behind the resurgence of YSL in the 2000s, and eventually, Zegna in the mid-2010s.

Strangely, though, there were no lines nor fanfare on the collab. In fact, the sales clerks at Zara were even drawing attention to the collection by walking around the store, brandishing selected pieces.

His collection was composed mainly of trousers and blazers. It's the "masculine tailoring with a feminine twist" approach. Saw an interesting shirt dress with ruffles, a suit set with strawberry prints, and a structural LBD.

Was contemplating on buying a piece or 2, but after further scrutiny, they're very special occasion pieces that you can't use everyday. So, it was a pass.

Visually interesting, but a pass.

Back and White

A white t-shirt is a pice of clothing that I'm constantly on the look out for.

Whenever there's a white t-shirt with an interesting detail, I'm like likely to snag it. No questions asked.

Just like this one from Zara.

At the front, it looks like a typical oversized white tee. But once you turn around:

The back detail is so pretty and unique. It has a button down centre and an asymmetric cut.

It's going to make a person look so chic, whether coming or going.

Pay your way

Looks like Zara is upping its retail game.

Just like stores in the Spain and Japan, the Zara branch at Trinoma now has a self-pay kiosk!

Tried it for myself and its very easy to use. Not to mention efficient.

Now, there's another reason to go to Zara. (As if I need another one.)

Color story; Hot (Pink) Summer

Summer calls for bright colours. And they don't get any brighter than hot pink.

And it doesn't get any more summer than this ensemble.

The dress is from The SM Store. It's a linen dress with side cut-outs and a front slit. The overall silhouette screams summer!

The slides are from Zara, and it has the same hot pink hue as the dress. To give it an even more summer-y vibe, there's a floral detail in front.

As an ensemble, the best way to describe it is using Paris Hilton's classic line:

"That's hot!"

 

Zara-tonin: P2P

Pleather isn’t an easy material to work with.

When it’s not designed and done well, it might look cheap and costume-y.

But trust Zara to come up with a pleather dress that’s chic, fashionable and classic!

It’s a classic silhouette, with the boat neck and long sleeves. It’s something that you see on Audrey Hepburn, but the pleather material gives it an edge. 

Pushing it further, Zara made the skirt a pleated one, which ups the fashion factor.

Bonus, it comes with a belt that cinches your waist!

Zara, you did good with the pleather and pleats pair.

Zara-tonin: Cut-out cool

Here's another fun find from Zara.

It's a rib-knit column dress with a deep v-neckline. What's nice about the design is the ribs move downwards, thus elongating the shape of the wearer, making her look taller. Plus, the deep-v neckline also draws the eyes down, again lengthening the overall look.

And if you look at the sides, there are side cut-outs to break the black colour. Then, that cut-out extends to the back to showcase more skin, but not in an in-your-face way.

Trust Zara to come up with such a well-thought of dress with cool details.

Zara-tonin: Classy and classic

As classic dresses go, you can never go wrong with a simple, column dress. Much so if it’s in black or dark navy.

This dress from Zara is perfection! The silhouette is streamlined. The overall vibe is simple and carefree, but the lace fabric “lifts it.”

Such a classic!

Color Story: Neutrality

This story started with this pair of neutral coloured pants from Zara.

It was a duo-tone pair, with the majority it being camel and some details in khaki. The waist band was particularly interesting because of the asymmetric detail.

Then, this pair of dove gray sandals from Pull & Bear caught my eye. In my mind, it would be a great pair for the pants.

To complete the look, the top had to be as carefree and neutral as the rest of the ensemble. Enter this loose, cropped white polo from Surplus Shop.

I can't be neutral about this. Neutral ensembles can be so chic!

Caught in Zara's web

A few weeks ago, there was an item at the Zara store in SM Megamall that caught my eye.

It was an asymmetric blouse in this vibrant fuchsia hue. It was made of jersey, and it draped and fell beautifully. 

Knowing that Ate would rock that blouse, I told myself that I'd come back for it in a few days since their sale was about to start.

The sale did start, but upon visiting the Zara store, the blouse was nowhere to be found. It wasn't in the racks, and upon inquiring from the staff, they didn't know where it was.

It came to a point that I had to check out 3 Zara branches to look for it. To no avail.

Then, an idea popped in my head.

The Zara website!

After logging in and patiently poring through so many items - along with keyword searching - it turns out that the blouse was on-line!

Woot!

And that's how I made my first web purchase for Zara. And this is just a few months after my 1st web purchase for Mango.

Let me just say, the packaging of on-line orders are top notch. Aside from the box, it came in wrapped in Japanese paper.

Looks like I'll be doing this again soon.

Classic Cool

Walking past H&M in Megamall, they have this huge display pushing their denim line.

The in-store billboard features a big and diverse group of models wearing jeans and different types of white tops. This combo of denim and white is the ultimate “classic cool” ensemble. It’s so classic and easy that you can wear it any time, anywhere, and you’ll still look chic.

Just like this ensemble that I was able to put together.

The white top is from SheIn, the jeans are from Mango and the snakeskin sneakers are from Zara.

Cool, eh.

LFLTAT; To the Nine(tie)s

Who doesn't love the minimalism and simplicity of the 90s?

It was the era of plain, streamlined dresses in chic cuts. Simple jewelry and an overall clean and sparse aesthetic.

Since last year, i’ve Been seeing that back in fast fashion shops. And thanks to the recent Zara sale, here’s a Look For Less Than A Thousand with that aesthetic in mind.

Tadaa!

The dress is so chic and beautiful. It’s a long, black dress with long sleeves, and a surprise at the back!

Paired with a metal choker, it captures the 90s to a tee. For less than a thousand pesos. FROM ZARA!

Who would’ve thought you could be dressed for the red carpet for less than P1000. If you know when and where to shop, you definitely can.

Skirt week: LFLTAT, too!

And here's the big reveal for skirt week.

Each of those skirt ensembles are also Looks For Less Than A Thousand!

Yup! The checkered one was the cheapest, while the green tribal ensemble is closest to a thousand.

Fashion can be fab and frugal, too!

Skirt week: Ready to flounce

After all that color, time to go a bit muted.

Found this skirt at a Zara clearance sale a few months back. It's a tiered, lace skirt in classic black. It has the right structure and the right flounce.

Then, there's this black top from SM Department Store. It's made of soft jersey, and it also has that flounce on the sleeves.

When put together, the ensemble gives double the flounce, double the flirtiness, and double the fun.

At less than half the price, by the way!

Euphemisms

Before I flew back to Manila, I saw this sign at the HKIA branch of Zara.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the jeans were shorter than usual.

Yes, we're short. But at least we're special.

Pin it!

The pinstripe is one of the recurring trends that's appearing in almost all fast fashion brands - both local and foreign.

Just like the embroidered jean, it's actually a trend that took off in the 90s. And now, it's back!

One of my favorite incarnations of this trend is this Zara pinstripe dress with a knot.

But this piece is just one of many, many, many, many, many, many, many pieces that I've seen everywhere - from the swankiest mall to the smallest Divisoria stall.

And truth be told, my sisters have a lot of pinstriped items in their closets already. Thanks to both Zara and Divisoria.