Denim details

Sometimes, it's the little things that make a big difference.

Just like this little detail on a pair of jeans from one of SM's in-house brands - SMYTH.

Wasn't really on the lookout for a pair of jeans, but after seeing this cool illustration and clear description of the pair on display, it became even more attractive. Which resulted in me buying it.

Yup, that's what little things can do.

Pick pockets

The reason for my affinity for cargo pants is the fact that it allows me not to bring a bag.

With so many pockets and storage areas, a cargo pant helps me move around hands free, even if I'm carrying stuff.

Imagine how much stuff you can carry if you have an outfit like this:

The jeans are from The SM Store, and it has 8 - count 'em - 8 pockets in total!

The top is from Surplus Shop and has 2 big pockets in front.

With so many pockets, you can pick from so many options where to put your stuff. A LOT of it!

G.U. means Going Undercover

Was in Akohabara to go to Tamashi Nations and scout around for a toy for Jessie.

Passed by a nearby mall and saw that there was a G.U. branch there. Went inside and checked out some stuff, and noticed they had a section for a collection called G.U. X Undercover.

Apparently, this was a special collaboration with a popular Japanese designer named Jun Takashi. His brand is a streetwear brand known for subtle details and a streetwear aesthetic.

Since it was early, there weren’t a lot of people in the store yet. It’s allowed me to check out the items and try some on. 

By lunchtime, the store was starting to get crowded, and people started stocking up on pieces from the collaboration. Actually, when I got back, the jeans and shirt that were with me were almost all gone on the rack. Because of that, I didn’t let go of the items in my bag.

And that’s how I ended up with pieces from the latest G.U. collab.

Timing is everything.

Open Wide

Opening a new fashion year with these cool finds from The SM Store.

The past months, they've been coming out with a lot of unusual and innovative jean designs.  This inside out jean is one of my fave purchases in 2023.

But 2024 isn't planning to get left behind.

On the 1st week of the year, they had these 2 pairs of jeans that were super good buys.

The 1st pair is this light washed, wide legged jean. It has this panelled design and the pocket has a dropped design. The front part is also asymmetric and the middle is higher than the rest of the waist band.

The complex design needs a simple white shirt to go with it.

Then, there's another pair which has a medium blue wash, wide-legged, but slightly narrower than the 1st pair, and the front is also asymmetric. But in contrast to the 1st pair, this one is higher on the sides.

For this one, a black boxy shirt highlights the detail on the waist.

These are such fun and different pairs of jeans to open the year.

Inside Out

During my younger days, unusual and experimental jeans were my thing. Whenever I'd travel abroad, I'd be on the lookout for shops and brands that sold jeans that had styles and designs unlike the conventional ones.

This is what led to my discovery of brands like Koyo Jeans, Chocoolate, Tough, Evisu, among others.

In MNL, there are several small, indie brands that create one-of-a-kind jean pieces. Kurt's brand - Meraki - is one of those. They have a number of interesting and unconventional materials and styles that are cool and eye catching. 

Admittedly, though, they're too young for me. Harhar.

Imagine my surprise to see a pair of super cool, super unique and super different jeans at The SM Store!

How unique? Check this out!

It's a pair of jeans designed to look like it was turned inside-out! How novel is that?

Because the jeans are a statement piece already. the top has to be a bit more neutral and classic. This pique polo shirt from the Bench x Lesley Mobo collection fits the outfit to a tee. Literally.

Oh, SM, you never fail to surprise me.
 

Mugler's Money Piece

In the past H&M collaborations - dating as far back as the Lanvin, Cavalli, Versace collections, up to the recent Vallli, Erdem and Rocha collections - the item that I'd consider the "money piece" would often be a dress or a gown.

After checking out the full lookbook of the Mugler x H&M collaboration, it seems like a different case.

Yes, they have dresses in the collection, but the item that really caught my eye and interest wasn't that. The star of this collection is a pair of jeans!

This pair has a classic Mugler spin with the mesh detail at the front and back of the pair. This small detail really elevates these jeans to high fashion.

If the prices online are correct, this pair will cost around P9000. Simply put, this piece will really cost money. (Especially for jeans.)

COS I’m blue

It was our last day in Seoul and one realization was that I haven’t bought anything for myself. That wasn’t an unusual moment, and it was actually a source of pride.

One store that was part of my “must-check-out” list was Flying Tiger Copenhagen. The store that I knew was all the way in Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, and that was a good 40-minute train ride from the hotel. But again, it was on the agenda.

Upon reaching Lotte World Mall, it wasn’t at the basement where it was before. They used to be located just across H&M, but now it’s gone! Just as I was about to get bummed, it turned out that they moved to the 3rd floor. Whew!

Yes, it’s the same Flying Tiger with all the fun and quirky stuff that we know and love from their Tokyo store, but admittedly, nothing really caught my eye. So, that visit ended with me still not having bought anything for myself.

While walking back to the subway station, I noticed that the store in front of the old Flying Tiger was COS! 

After ducking in and browsing, I left with this nice pair of jeans:

It’s a dark blue denim with a low rise and a cropped length. Sort of unusual, but it’s very much true to the Korean aesthetic, which is probably why they had it in the Seoul store.

With that, the possibility of leaving Seoul empty handed was finally out!

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: Fashionable slant

Jeans with interesting details always catch my eye. Whether it's a pair for men or women, anything out of the ordinary - from the fabric, construction and style - is sure to make me buy that pair.

Case in point is this pair of blue jeans from Surplus Shop. It's a classic, straight-cut jean with a dark blue wash. But if you think it's your typical pair, check out the slanted waist band that's on top of another waist band.

It's such an interesting detail. I've had similar jeans from HKG before, but they usually look like 2 layers of denim. This one goes beyond the usual, and the slant makes it more fashionable.

To make that detail pop-out, I got this dark coloured top, also from Surplus Shop.

Great thing about this pair is that it just cost P850 in total!

Joining the Harem

Harem pants are one of the most reviled fashion trends in history. 

It was a thing in the 90s, made popular by M.C. Hammer. In fact, it was called “Hammer pants” back then.

But any trend, no matter how hideous, can be made fashionable when done right. Just like this pair of jeans with a harem pant silhouette from The SM Store.

Because the pants are already filled with character, a neutral top works best with it. Just like this classic white t-shirt from SheIn.

With an outfit that looks like this, joining the harem looks promising.

(Paper)bag lady

This might be an unpopular opinion, but paper bag pants conjure images of relaxed chic.

Some people find them too loose and baggy, but that's where its charm lies. Something that looks so effortless, but at the same time, well-thought of. This style is actually very popular in Japan and South Korea - even more than 5 years back.

That's why when I saw this really nice pair of paper bag pants at The SM Store, I grabbed it immediately. 

To make the look even more easy and thrown together, a loose, Snoopy print shirt from Uniqlo is the perfect partner for this.

Together, it'll make the wearer look like an carefree and fashionable lady.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 5: Portrait of a Woman

Since we're going to talk about amazing women, let's start this post by celebrating the birthday of a truly amazing woman who has been such an important part of our lives.

Happy Birthday Mama Mary!

Now, to continue our pant-tastic week feature.

The beauty of this week's featured pant is that it's so classic that it makes even the most playful printed top look so put together and polished.

Just like this very fun blouse from a store in Lazada.

The play on colours and how the profile of the woman's face separates the 2 hues is so creative and clever. And it's fashion serendipity that the line of the blouse is aligned with the exposed zipper of the pant. That creates the illusion of one straight line and lengthens the whole look.

This is practically a portrait on a blouse, and it looks so chic!

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 4: The Romantics

The daintiness of lace and a very masculine cut pair of pants may seem like polar opposites. But as the adage goes, opposites attract. And those opposites created today's romantic ensemble using the same pair of Kiabi pants.

This black and white lace top is from Robinson's Department Store. It's actually been in the closet for more than 3 years, and it just resurfaced while I was tidying up the gift closet. And upon seeing it, I knew that it would look great with the featured pair of jeans for this week.

Isn't it romantic?

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 3: Crop to it

From classic to chic, time to give the same pair of denim pants a more youthful spin.

That's easily done by pairing it with this very young and very current crop top from Surplus Shot. It has puffed sleeves that are very du jour, and it has horizontal stitching elements make it look dainty. But the bold colour keeps the top from looking too saccharine.

It's such a nice counterbalance and makes a young crop top look elevated and elegant.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 2: Caped crusader

While jeans are usually seen as casual, the colour and cut of this week's featured denim pant makes it look more polished.

And it can also look like an equally polished outfit, especially with the right top. Just like this:

This caped blouse from Stella looks very chic and elegant. The shape and teal hue makes it look more dressy, and elevates the overall feel of the pant. This is something that can transition from work to a dressy night out.

From yesterday's classic look, this one is a bit more elevated. And it's achieved by a simple switch of a blouse.

And that very versatile pant, of course.

Pant-tastic Week 2.0 - Day 1: The Classic

More than 2 years ago, was able to buy a pair of pants from Bench that had such a classic cut and denim fabric that it inspired a "Pant-tastic Week" post. For 5 days, the same pair was featured with 5 different tops that give it a different look each time.

This week, I'm doing that idea again, thanks to this very nice pair from The Landmark.

It's a pair of overrun jeans from the brand - Kiabi. It's a fast fashion brand from France that's pretty much like H&M. The pants are a pair of wide legged pants with an exposed zipper. The dark denim colour and the heavy fabric makes it very versatile and classic.

Speaking of classic, this pant-tastic week will kick-off with a very classic look. 

The top is a crisp, cotton shirt from Uniqlo with a high-necked top and elastic sleeves. This white and dark jean combination is truly a classic that you can wear anytime, anywhere.

You can never go wrong with classics.

And a versatile pair of jeans, of course. 

To the left(ies), to the left(ies)

In Spain, Inditex is a mega-company that owns some of the biggest fast fashion brands. These are fashion brands that are renowned the world over, including Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, among others.

These brands are well-known in the Philippines as well. Personally, my closet has smattering of pieces from these brands - some bought abroad, some bought here.

But among Inditex's portfolio of brands, there's one that's not as well-known in the Philippines. Among its brands, this is actually their most affordable line, similar to what G.U. is to Uniqlo. That brand is Lefties.

Needless to say, I discovered this brand during one of my trips to Spain. And walking into their store felt like walking into Penshoppe or Bench in the Philippines. Lots of fashionable and trendy basics, and the prices were uber affordable. 

Think shirts for 3 Euros.

Now, why did I suddenly remember this brand? While looking for a pair of chinos in my closet, there was this pair of jeans hidden in the leftmost part, hidden behind my suits and jackets. It was a pair of Lefites jeans from more than a decade ago.

Looking at it, the pair still looked updated and current, and is still very much wearable now. So, even after that long period of time, this Lefties is still right.

Something's Off

Off-White, that is.

When it comes to dressing up, I'm a very boring and plain person. My uniform consists of jeans and a t-shirt, unless there are meetings at work. During those days, I'll wear a long-sleeved shirt and tuck it in. This makes the pair of jeans look half-decent.

Because I'm practically living in t-shirts, I've got a lot of those in my closet. Mostly, they're plain coloured, very loose and boxy, and comfy to wear. 

Those qualities are the same reasons why I've gravitated towards Off-White brand t-shirts. They come in basic colours (black, white, beige), they're very loose and boxy, and they're also very comfy. Most of their tees have prints, though. But I don't mind because the prints aren't too distracting. In fact, they're a bit artsy, just like the Off-White x Kunsthal shirt that I have.

For those reasons, this Off is definitely On!

Maundy Kondo

Back in 2019, also in April, the Holy Week was upon us and the quiet time was spent fixing stuff in my room and doing a bit of Marie Kondo-ing.

Today, on Maundy Thursday, that same activity is back!

The afternoon was spent decluttering my room, including checking out my closet for jeans and trousers that haven't been used for quite some time. And to get more use and mileage for them, I've set them aside and we'll send them to our relatives in Bicol.

Here's this year's haul:

My process this year was to take similar jeans (wash, design, distress, etc.) and streamline to just 1 or 2 pairs of the same type.

Now, my jean closet is a bit less crowded, which is gratifying to look at.

Tomorrow, it's time to Marie Kondo my shirt closet.

Free Willy

It was during one of my random browsing on the Bench store in Lazada that I discovered this collaboration.

Actually, the first thing that caught my eye was the quality and design of the denim jeans. After clicking on the photo, it turned out that it was part of a designer collaboration between Bench and NY street wear designer, Willy Chavarria.

Considering that this collaboration was in 2019, I'm surprised that I didn't get wind of it. After doing some research, it turns out that it was launched around September, which explained a lot. But going through the look book online, it turns out that this collection had a lot of nice pieces.

Willy Chavarria is a big name in street wear in NYC, which explains his loose and comfortable silhouettes and use of denim and twill

Good thing that this collection was still available online. Was able to snag 3 pairs of pants from the collection!

So, I can now say "Whee" because of Willy!