Suit + Sneakers Combination

Would it be a major fashion faux pas if you wear a suit with a pair of sneakers? Not anymore coz these days there're no rules in fashion. You can basically wear anything that you want - the only thing is, whether it looks good or not, which is a different question after all. And not if you know how to rock it too. One that is 'almost' got it right for the suit-sneakers combo is Jay Baruchel, which I happen to notice in my previous blogpost. [read here].

To me there is nothing wrong of pairing these two. Well, at least not for the office for sure coz you should look a bit 'respectable' when you sign the deal papers. Yet, suit+sneakers is always okay after-five activities, or during which you wanna feel a bit casual when you go out with your mates. How to pair suit+sneakers, it's up to you, and our friend at Glam Lelaki give some choice how to do it.

So, a Dior suit with a Converse All Stars, anybody?

I wrote something about that Puma Sky II Hi+ sneakers in my prev post... [click]

Anyway, who's on the cover of this month's Glam Lelaki? Hardy Hartono... which I haven't got a clue who he is btw. (erkkss...)

[scanned pix from glam lelaki]

Crop & Repack

I read the news the other day which says that being in front of the computer screen all the time is equivalent to being a couch potato, and can lead to obesity. I can't argue with that coz I am somewhat agree with the statement. Very strongly agree actually coz I think I'm starting to become one too: the screen potato. I've been so busy lately, I hardly spend time to lift those dumbells and exercise (which ironically my gym is just on the first floor in my house). I've also being neglecting the basketball court for weeks now, causing the ball (the basketball okay!) to be a bit deflated. I dunno what comes of me, coz lots of time is really spending time in front of the PC. Crunching numbers. Perfecting the research proposals by the students, as well as my own research report. Correcting the letters that are sent by my committee members for the big event I'm chairing. Writing journal papers. And of course, attending this blog. It made me more immobile. Stagnant. Not moving. Even if I move, it's very minimal. My life is literally attached to the screen!

Unlike in my research days during my PhD study, I can say my daily life is like an exercise regime. What not: lifting pails and pails of water to pour into the tank of the research rig. Running up and down two-storeys worth of stairs from the lab to the workshop to the office etc. And walking for almost, I dunno, 10,000 steps per day maybe - commuting from house to the Tube station, to the uni; I think my life before September last year is a true full-day exercise! A total body workout + cardio all in one go. That's why I'm healthy those days. In fact the optician at Boots claimed I am free of any ailment coz when she scanned the back of my eyes during the eye test, I'm perfectly healthy.

But now, I despised that. Being less mobile making me a bit slumpy. Lots of family members realised that I slightly piled on weight. In fact my love handles are getting more 'love' these days which worries me. The almost-six pack then, is now becoming a bit full pack due to me being less active. I can blame on the sugary stuff I'm munching coz you know, Malaysia is absolutely a food haven. Yet alone Ipoh, coz there're so many halal things to eat! From the mamak cafe, to the hawkers stall to even the fast-food chain; it's heaven!   (You should get the EATPOH book to know more about Ipoh food 'culture').

Yet, suddenly I got the 'aha!' moment to lose this guts since having belly is not good in fashion. It's awful! My slimfit clothes doesn't look cool with that buldging midsection. I have to get rid of it. To deflate it. To let it go. And that's why I'm starting to revisit my gym, and lift those dumbells again coz I learned that to get a six-pack it's effective if you weight-lift instead of just doing crunches. How? Coz you're actually attacking the core when you do those bench press, flys, squat etc... without you knowing it. Brilliant, right?

And I think I need to hit the court again, dunking on those hoops. I'm not that a good player, just okay la, since me and my mates used to play basketball a lot during our highschool days. Basketball is fun than football coz you're using both the upper and lower body. Now I think it's the right time too coz I can rock in that cropped jogger that I just bought from Standout. Looks good, and much freedom compared to typical sweatpants. What not to love? Cropped jogger is the new harem!

Anyway. I hope I can lose this guts and regain the six-pack. Period.

[alamak.kulit jadi makin gelap daaa bila balik m'sia...yikes!]

grey cropped jogger - voi jeans @ standout.net

blue vest, layered on white tank top - both by H&M

sneakers - Adidas Nizza Hi Plus Denim [read it here]

watch - Breo

dark grey cropped jogger - voi jeans @ standout.net

black tank top - Asos

leather/technofabric multistrap sneakers - GF by Gianfranco Ferre [read it here]

wool fingerless glove - Marc by Marc Jacobs

bluetooth headphone - Sportsband by JayBird

Adidas Nizza Hi Plus Denim Sneakers

Another new shoes for the new season. This time, it's sneakers time...

I am a massive fan of Adidas and love to check out their new sneakers that came out of the market. Adidas is perhaps the only sport's brand that I wear coz they provide me a better fit, unlike Nike whom I have bad rep with their shoes before. Mentioning Adidas, I love receiving all those invitations to attend the press releases and 'premiere' events of the brand sent to me by James (of TalkPR). If not that I'm already here million miles away from London, I definitely would've been to those events and mingle with David Beckham and the likes (I wish...ahaks!). But hey, I can't ... too bad isn't it? (but keep sending those invitations James! ;D)

Anyway. My new sneakers is the Adidas Nizza Hi Plus Denim - the one that I gave a sneak peek 'What's Gold & Blue' in the previous post. Fell in love with it the first time I saw the shoes. I've been wanting to get a denim sneakers after having a massive crush for Converse All Star Denim hi-top a couple of seasons ago. But this one hit all the right boxes nonetheless.

It's Adidas - my fav brand. It's denim - a big trend for Spring/Summer. It's a mid-top which is awesome to just wear it with cropped jeans sans socks. It has zipper on the heel side which is a definite surprise element and brought so much edge to it. The color combo - indigo denim, golden threads, bronze eyelets, dark navy laces - it's just fantabulicious! And the best part - it match my Key Ng's denim bag!

Isn't it time to do the double denim or even triple and quad denim for new season?

Stella McCartney x Adidas London 2012

Did you guys watch the previous Commonwealth Games that was held in New Delhi a couple of weeks back? I'm really glad that the event went well though I have to say I got all the butterflies in the stomach during the opening ceremony aired on the tele. What not, coz earlier I've read the news about the footbridge near Jawaharlal Nehru stadium had collapsed days before the games begun. That not include the state of the accommodation at the athletes' quarters which made a huge uproar in the Evening Standard. Yet, after about two weeks - from games itself to the opening and closing ceremony, with that giant hot air balloon spread in the middle of the stadium and all the beautiful, colorful event - I have to say India has done a great job! (I actually prayed that night so that nothing's gonna happen to the people in the stadium though!).

So, Commonwealth Games finished... next is Asian Games that'll be held in Guangzhou in a couple of days time. And to follow that, is the much anticipated sporting event - the Olympic 2012 - which will be held in London in less than two years time. If you happen to visit the capital, don't forget to take Jubilee Line towards Stratford and the Overground towards East London to view the construction of the Olympic Stadium as well as the 'Pringle' (that's the nickname for the Zaha Hadid's aquatic centre). It's awesome!

Anyway, talking about London Olympic 2012, it's a great news that one of the official partner's - Adidas - has collaborated with UK most well-known fashion designer, Stella McCartney for a special collection for the event. Though Stella already did previous collection with the sport's brand before, this time around the range spread into the menswear pieces as well. For you guys who disappointed unable to get your hands on any Stella's previous collection for H&M or Gap (coz both doesn't have menswear!), now it's your chance to wear Ms. McCartney's name up your sleeves (or on your back, to be exact).

One great feature about the collection is the silhouette of the lion's head - which has become an icon for Great Britain - are seen on the back of the hoodies. Pretty cool, especially the one with embossed stitching (in white and Adidas Original's blue). I like that the Adidas triple stripe stays on the inner of the hood to ensure that you're indeed wearing the brand.

There's even a white tee with the image of 'partial' Union Jack which I think very tastefully done. Love the color - especially red - that I think very powerful and a mood uplifter!

All the pieces are available at Adidas online store and at selected JD Sports. Price? Quite affordable and doesn't break your bank balance, given that they're limited edition and very collectable pieces. And hey, it's Stella McCartney's - this is the only chance any bloke can wear her design!

Anyway, the ladies always got better ones. Just looks at these golden parka and jacket that Stella did for the women's collection. Damn. Life's just unfair...

[pix from adidas and talk pr]

Adidas SLVR Autumn 2010

Apart from Y3 which is designed by Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas, the other 'high fashion' line that I also like from the famous sport's brand is SLVR. Their new collection for Autumn 2010 conveys the simplicity and clean silhouettes as usual, with great tailoring that combines the sportswear with a dash of casual-formal look. I love the new knitwear like the jumper and cardigan worn by Ryan Koning, as well as the jersey jacket seen on Kaka. Very cool indeed...

[pix from adidas]

Getting the Originals for Summer

When I saw it in the Size? website, I immediately said to myself... whoa, this sneakers gonna be a hit again. Just like the other shoes that I used to write in here before, they're flying out off shelves right before you can say Summer Sale! This one is the latest collection by Adidas for Summer 2010: the Adidas Originals Top Ten Hi.

What I love about this sneakers is the whole look which is very 'clean'. Yes, clean coz the color combo is just perfect - grey and black on the upper, and white soles. (Though in the website it says chrome, instead of grey). Very monochrome, very summer feel. What you should know about this sneakers is the material it's made of. If my previous Top Ten Hi and Conductor are fully made of leather with some suede on the linings, this one is a bit special coz alongside leather and suede, there're canvas on certain part of the sneakers - in between the 'triple stripes', on the ankle padding and also the tongue. Another thing that I love is the shoe laces - very intricate details of grey/black intertwined together that creates like a typical tribal-esque print. Oh, another thing too - the little details like the metal Adidas logo which you can find at the back of the shoe as well as on the tongue. It's always that extra things that made me excited when I see any kind of shoes really.

What about the fit? Well, how can I just talk about how my feet gonna feel in it if I don't bag one myself, right? It's superb. As the previous Adidas that I have, the fit is awesome. I like that this sneakers is a bit pointy on the front, unlike my previous Croc Top Ten Hi. And the color - very delicious to look, and even delicious to wear it. Okay, I know my snaps below looks kinda washed out a bit, but in real life this one looks amazing. Though I think the color is actually a cross between grey and light beige. Still, it's superb. I just can't help but keep staring on this sneakers, coz I love the color combo very much. Is this what you call a shoe bliss? =)

So, this one gonna be my perfect partner during that dress-down days. Coz sneakers is what I usually wear when I don't feel like looking too dressy and all 'fashiony' thing. Or when I just wanna blend in with the peeps without drawing attention too much. Or during when I-don't-give-a-damn-how-I-look days. But somehow, other people still perceived that I look kinda "fashion" when I wore my Adidas. There's one time, when I slip on that Adidas Conductor which I think is too normal and too typical street, some dude stops me while I was tying up my shoe laces. A total stranger out of nowhere. And he went, "brother, your shoes looks awesome. Can I ask where do you get it?". Awesome? Yeah, right. Lol! And unfortunately, it's not only him who said that to me. There's a couple of other guys who said the same thing: it's awesome. Whaaaat? For real? Why can't people say the same thing when I really get 'fashiony' with my Dior boots? Oh, man...

Anyway. My prediction that this Adidas Top Ten Hi gonna be a massive hit again? Without a doubt, yes it will! =)