A Little List of Things to Love...

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[pix from river island and mr. porter]

Clockwise, from the top:

• Chunky knit buttonless cardigan in ecru - River Island.
• Asymmetric sweatshirt jacket in grey - River Island.
• Denim backpack - River Island.
• Orange-faced watch in gunmetal - River Island.
• Ted leather satchel in tan - Mulberry.

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They're Feeling The Blues...

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Am I 'qualified' to be having the Monday blues today? I think I am, after looking to what had happened during the weekend, I can really stamped on my forehead that I am having the blues on this dire Monday.

I was planning to go to the capital in the weekend, to shop at Pavillion KL since now is the Malaysia's Mega Sale Carnival (which will end till 31st August) - so, I'm guessing there must be lots of items that're being slashed their prices during this period. Around that area, there's also Uniqlo which I haven't visited yet ever since they open their door in this country. Or maybe, if I don't wanna brave the traffic along Bukit Bintang that much I've just hit OneUtama at Damansara instead coz what's in the megamall is not to be messed with (it's now becoming ever humungous size than ever). Or the least I could go to Ikea coz their Sale has just started last week, and I always love finding bargains in the store.

But I can't, since there's a stupid rally in town which made the whole city kinda locked down. As much as I've been locked down in my room the night before which is truly a nightmare (that itself is a contributing factor to this Monday blues too!). Traffic become very crazy and there're lots of roadblock at many stops to crackdown people from going into the city. So, what to do? I just stayed home, and shopped in the malls nearby. Ipoh is not that bad you know, in fact I found lots of interesting stuff which I'll tell later.

Anyway, Monday blues...  As cliche as the title could be, I wish I could wear 'blue' also, to make things even more cliche. Perhaps, a blue blazer instead of the typical shirt or trousers in the same color. So far what I've seen the blue jacket or blazer that people tend to wear is only its darker shade in navy - not other hues of blue. Probably it's the safest thing to go (not to mention boring!) and could give an alternative to the normal black. Anyway those at Mr. Porter gave some styles on how to wear blue blazer, which ranges from single- to double-breasted, lighter or darker shade of blue, and even to rock in casual or formal.

[pix from mr porter]

As Mr. Porter did mentioned that every man should own at least one blue blazer, thankfully I'm on the same wavelength. In fact I wore my blue hi-sheen linen blazer during my emceeing rehearsal last year which I think quite fit the bill. When I said 'fit the bill', it's not just about the color blue, but also the 'fit' - slim fit! [previous entry here]

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Lapels? What Lapels...?

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Have you ever heard of that syndrome : pair slim ties with slim lapels, big ties with big lapels? Isn't it daunting, coz you've gotta have a huge selection of ties in your closet then. And what if I'm not feeling it, and would like to wear slim ties with big lapels? Am I committing a fashion crime?

Well, crime no more coz with these Dolce & Gabbana suit jacket it's time for freedom. Free to pair whatever width of your ties with your suit jacket coz this Spring/Summer 2012 piece of collection came with no lapels! A revolution must be made in your wardrobe, and make your ensemble much more versatile. I actually love how they look, coz it can rock both formal and casual ways, if you know to do it well.

Anyway. If you think Dolce & Gabbana are the first one to do lapel-less, you're wrong. Coz apprently Salvatore Ferragamo did it this season, but in a nice neutral tones with patch pocket and contrasting hems. Very cool and summer feel..

[pix from style.com]

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Waffle That You Can Wear

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If last Spring/Summer 2010, Emporio Armani did its waffle suit in darker shades of grey, this time it's another Italian from other fashion house to follow suit. It's Italo Zuchelli who has given his pure and simple take on waffle fabric to his collection for Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2012 in one of the suit seen on the runway. It's white - very clean and chic, as what the CK DNA truly speaks.

If you look closer, it's a new mesh underneath : the shirt and the ties in the fori details.

[pix from style.com]

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Color Splash @ Roberto Cavalli SS2012

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It's a season of optimism again as designers continue their effort to use colors in their collection. If previous FW11 I saw Jil Sander went all out with a burst of colors, this time it's Roberto Cavalli when he injected some bright tones into some pieces for the Spring/Summer 2012 seen on the runway.

From canary yellow to royal blue and darker shade of pink, it's time to really be bold when you wear a Cavalli. In fact, that's what the true essence of the designer who has been in the fashion business for as long as I can remember: you've gotta have that flamboyance flair to strut in his clothes. What I love about the suits are the fit: cut to contour your silhouettes with the waist hugging jacket and slimmer trousers. If colors is not your thing, the white one worn by Francisco looks equally good, given a twist of pattern florals on a plain white.

Something that I really love that came out on the catwalk are the bucket bags, with its canvas boby and leather trim. Very delish... 

[pix from style.com]

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Feeling Black and White

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The colors that never fail to co-exist alongside the other colors-of-the-season are definitely black and white. Regardless of what seasons you're in, designers always include this two in their collection. If you're in printing business, black and white are not considered color. In fact when I filed logo that I designed to be 'trademarked' for my research team the other month, the patent office did mention to me I can leave the color on the logo to be just black and white, coz later on it's easier for me to use other colors if I need to change it (things will be a bit complex if I filed it in colors coz I need to state the exact RGB).  Anyway, regardless of black and white are color or non-color colors, they're my definite must have in my wardrobe (and home decor!). 

collarless shirt - Asos Black : bag - Burberry : jeans - Uniqlo

black-trimmed slimfit jacket - Topman : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo

contrast-hem jacket - H&M : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo : perforated leather bag - Hugo Boss

denim jacket - Uniqlo : vest - H&M : jeans - Uniqlo : bag - SEED

contrast-hem wool jacket - Topman : vest - H&M : black jeans - Uniqlo : white jeans - Gap

neo-leather jacket - Uniqlo : vest - H&M : jeans - Gap

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Turquoise or Midnite Blue?

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There's an anonymous asking me in the previous blogpost, where he/she could find a decent turquoise shirt to be worn to the prom. (see, I put he OR she coz I didn't know the gender) To be honest, I don't really know where to find one. If anonymous is a guy, maybe you should try at zappos.com, or you could always find one if you search through shopstyle.com. Previously in London, I normally find color shirt at either Topman, River Island or H&M since they used to do a good slimfit turquoise shirt in cotton mix fabric, and quite reasonable price.

Anyway, don't you think that when you go to the prom you should wear a suit? Mentioning turquoise, Calvin Klein did a slimfit suit in aqua color which looks quite summery and chic. It may be dear to your wallet coz ... you know, it's Calvin Klein! But if you wanna go for something quite similar, yet doesn't burn a big hole in your pocket, the one by Lambretta at Asos could also be a good choice. What I like in both suits is the one-button thing, which to me is always what I tend to go for.  

On the other hand, turquoise is not really a color I would choose for a suit coz it somehow screams too weddingy, or too Miami Vice. Worse, it may look like a 70's pimp daddy! Yikes! In other words, it's tacky. For a safe bet I'd rather pick an outfit in a darker shades of blue, such as the midnight blue like the one worn by Zac Efron in the previous cover of GQ. It made you look much classier and better like a grown-up. Since it's summer, you should wear a linen fabric - much better for the heat out there, plus it can give better sheen against the lighting. Like the one I got previously from River Island.

Or if you really a fashion forward and have a thick wallet - choose Roberto Cavalli, like the one featured in the August Man magazine - though the color is more towards the early dawn blue instead of midnite one. :)

[pix from style.com, asos, gq, and august man]

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A Little List of Things to Love...

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A little list of things to love at the end of May. Something military. Something with splattered paint. Something Madras. Some camo to take when surfing the wave. Some folder to protect when surfing the net. And a bag to fill 'em all. 

Now... what's my bank balance again? 

Double breasted military-inspired jacket - Ann Demeulemester @ Browns Fashion

Splattered paint shirt - Dries Van Noten @ Browns Fashion

Camouflage swimwear - Sundek @ Restir 

Alhambra Madras check bow tie - J. Crew @ Mr. Porter

Albert weekender bag with centre flap - Mulberry

iPad case - Dior Homme

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School's Out, What Should You Pack?

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School is officially ended for its first term! Read : school. As in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Not university or colleges, okay! How envy I am to the teachers out there coz they got to take a long break before it resumes in another two-weeks time. ~ sigh ~ For sure, those teachers would definitely be feeling overjoyed and overwhelmed just like in the Mastercard ad video!

Anyway, long break for the school means the parents are definitely thinking of going for a vacation. In fact, not only the parents - others who're singletons or anybody else out there would also thinking the same thing - wanna whisk away from the daily work for a couple of days and winding off somewhere without having to see those spreadsheets and MS words documents for a while. At least I do. Hmmm... where should I go for a break. Would it be a vacation away from home, or just do a staycation instead..?

So, how should you pack? Or what should you pack? Not to worry coz the people there at Mr. Porter has come up with some travel essentials which you could bring with for that break. Designer luggage? Check. T-shirts and loafers? Check. Some lighter knits and linen jacket? Check. Sunglasses? Check that too. Passport? Unless if I'm fleeing the country, then I don't have to. Whatever it is, you should always travel in style!

Am I forgetting something in my luggage? Owh... my iPad! :)

p/s: next week rasa mcm nak balik kampung... huhu.

Shirt - E. Tautz, Trousers - Mr by Rouland Mouret, Sunglasses - Linda Farrow Luxe

Shoes - Polo Ralph Lauren ; Holdall - Yves Saint Laurent ; Blazer - Richard James ; Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Swim shorts - Hartford ; Polo shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren ; Sunglasses - Gucci

Shoes - Car Shoe ; Case - Filson ; Hat - Lock & Co Hatters

Sweater and blazer - A.P.C ; Polo shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren ; Sunglasses - Cutler and Gross

Travel wallet - Bottega Veneta ; Passport holder - Lanvin

[pix from mr. porter]

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One Jacket Rule 'Em All...

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Can a jacket really make a huge impression to someone? I think so.

When I bought the black jacket with cropped sleeves and white hem on the lapels early this year, there was an instant connection that I'm gonna love this indefinitely. I immediately know something was just right about the blazer especially the fit which is very slimming and contouring. It's my second blazer from Sub Zero, but somehow this one got a little je ne sais quoi about it. Less that I know it actually created such a huge admirers and wishers from the local community around.

I first wore it to the CEO annual speech back in late March. Upon attending the high tea by the hall after the event, suddenly people complimented how amazing I look in it. Whoa.... seriously? Some even touch the lapels, saying it's so very nice!

So I keep on wearing it quite frequently. Going to the Finance office, people there showered me with compliments. "you look smart. your jacket surely bought from oversea?" Tak pun... Then to the Management office - compliments again. To the library, sitting down on the leather couch while reading the Times magazine there, my former emcee partner said "...you look so handsome!". (ekekeke) Going to the mamak restaurant, the waiter keep on looking up and down, up and down. Haiyooo....(apa lu pandang2? kasi nasik beriyani free xper la jugak) One time when I went to the cafe, a friend complimented me, but funnily his wife added "dia cantik la pakai sbb tak boroi!" LOL! The best part when I went to a meeting at the Twin Tower, a stranger said "wah, you nampak stylo!" Then there're many occurrances when I created such a headturner everytime I walked through the crowd. People stop and stare. And most will say time and time again, "lawanya jacket!", "stylo giler!"...(wah mood kipas la tuu...lol)

Seriously why does it gain such attention, that I don't really know. Through the photos, it doesn't look that special. (maybe because of wrong angle?). But, in real life ... it does look amazing. Felt amazing when wearing it as well. Probably because people never see someone here wearing such a jacket, that's why they love what they're seeing.  I think.

Whatever it is, I'm gonna keep wearing it since it is right fit for me. And now I realise how true what one of the designer said (which I can't recalled whom) : when you feel something is right for you, then go for it! (or something like that..lebih kurang la.) =)

Cropped sleeves blazer - Sub Zero

White shirt - Zara

Slimfit indigo raw denim - Uniqlo

Dark brown Chelsea boots - Emporio Armani

Watch - Nixon

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A Little List of Things to Love...

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A little list of things to love for the weekend. Something buttery-soft dark chocolate biker. Something artsy splattered paint Mickey. Something camo chrono for the wrist. Some white leather down under. A quilted golden bronze for the earcandy. And a Bird's Nest for the phone?

Time to check the credit card limit...ha!

From top, clockwise:

Leather biker lacket by Rick Owens

Mickey by... tee @ Uniqlo

Camouflage chrono watch by Michael Kors.

Schott x Converse All Stars 'Leather Jacket' white hi-top sneakers,

Quilted headphones by Audio Chi

'Bird's Nest' iPhone case by inCase

[pix by farfetch, uniqlo, michael kors, hypebeast, selfridges; inCase]

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Hysteric Glamour Patches Denim Jacket

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I remembered when I was a kid I joined the Boy Scout and got to travel around the surrounding neighborhood to raise money. Not just my own neighborhood, but also to the other kampung as well which is a huge area to cover. Me and my friends - all five of us - rode our bikes, cycling almost half a day which I think the travelling distance in total could reach more than 30, 40 km. It's tiring but fun. We had the chance to do all sorts of jobs - sweeping the floor, helping the elderly changing the potted plants in their garden, raking the fallen leaves and etc... etc.. just for the sake of charity. And of course, we got money in return which is cool for a 11-year old like us that time. If I'm not mistaken we raised almost RM100, which is already a huge sum then, considering that people only gave us about RM2 or RM3 per job that we did! (Pity, huh?)

Anyway. What do we wore back then? The Boy Scout outfit, of course. Among all of my friends, I am the one who went all out - with the twisted rope on my waist, my hat like a sailor and the knife, in which by current standard I could've been caught by the police for carrying a weapon! Erkss. And my Scout shirt - it's all decorated with patch of badges, ranging from the state and country's flags to the soaring Eagle (which is the symbol of my group), and plenty more. It's quite funny coz my friends just went with nothing but the two flags. Me, I think I kinda had some future glance of what a true style could be then . Ha!

Mentioning patch of badges, I dunno whether I could redo all that style again. But hell yeah, why not... especially if they look like this jacket by Hysteric Glamour. They look cool, very biker, very adult looking rather than too young or boyish. And definitely no Boy Scout, eh? I'm digging the whole denim thing and this jacket got a retro vibes as well. And yeah, again... looks cool. Probably with this one it'll give a good transition from being a Boy Scout to being Boyz II Men. Ahaks!

(Ooops, Boyz II Men is a group's name, huh? =D)

[pix from hsteric glamour]

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Calvin Klein 'Glimmer' Blazer

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Italo Zuchelli has pushed for the modernist concept with his minimalism take on the classic Calvin Klein for the Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Though most of the collection punctuates the simplicity chic of the uber famous brand, one piece from the entire look which I think shouldn't be overlooked for is the glimmer suit seen worn by AJ Abualrub in the previous runway show in New York.

Minimalist? Yes, especially when one talk about the simple Italian cut of the suit. But does it somehow evokes the modernist concept by bringing an pinch of menswear fabrication of the future through the injection of glimmer in it? I think it does. And the result? A beautiful craftmanship and a fantastic piece of collection for a guy who dare to leap into the new quantum of fashion.

How to do the glimmer without shouting the shimmer to be too tacky in your whole ensemble? Pair it with plain neutral or white so that it'll infuse nicely into the look. It' made you appear chic and timeless. Perhaps to add to a tiny hint of surprise that give away a true sense of masculinity - wear a worn-out denim jacket underneath the blazer. Like this one worn by Garrett Neff in the Details magazine. Awesome.

[pix from details mag and gq style]

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