Currently Loving: Dolce & Gabbana Sequin Blazer

Unless your name is Liberace, going flamboyant in sequins probably is a definite no-go area for any men. Never, nuh-uh. But thanks to Dolce & Gabbana who really take it up notch and turn the blingy tides of the disky beads into another level when the fashion duo sent off models in an edgy blazer sporting sequins all over during the previous Fall/Winter 2011 show in Milan. And in the previous issue of Vogue Hombre Mexico, even Simon Nessman looks quite dressy cool in the sequin blazer by the designers.

It may not be anyone cuppa tea, but sequin blazer can rock your look especially when you're attending the year-end social events which might be happening to some of you soon. Its shine, its bling bling sparkle and its slightly flamboyant appearance can actually be toned down a bit if you pair it with some sombre colors of the ensemble underneath. Just like what Simon's wearing - in black. More fashiony and less tacky - compared to if wearing it with other bright colors. You wanna be looked more chic and edgy, rather than the clown of the party don't you?

Though the hem is nicely hang on the mid-bottom and the fit is looking very form fitting, I just wish the lapels are narrower so that it'll look much mod and young.

Oh, fyi... Beyonce also wear quite similar one in purple during her performance in the previous MTV Music Awards 2011. [click]

[pix from vogue hombre mexico and dolce & gabbana]

Currently Loving: Calvin Klein Polyester Blazer

Who would've thought that polyester could look this absolute divine? Neither can I. Normally I see polyester-mix blazer in just a smooth, plain looking fabric - but Italo Zuchelli of Calvin Klein really has taken such an technical-meet-art approach by creating this one-of-a-kind blazer for the Fall/Winter 2011 collection.Very textured, very edgy and hot...and very out there in the style pedestal. 

One word: phenomenal. Now that it's YES season, could it ever made into my wardrobe then... :]

[pix from new man magazine]

Black and Slim

When I open my wardrobe I just realised that I don't have a proper black suit. Am I kidding myself? No, I'm not. I do have a lot of grey suits... name it: light grey, steel grey, urban grey, dark grey, linen, wool, wool-mix - they're all there on the hangers. Black? No. Well, okay, probably graphite color but that's more to softer black than a proper jet black. And the other black that I have - my cropped with white hem from Sub - that's not a suit, that's just a jacket! So, yes... there you go. I Don't really have a proper black suit to say the least.

I went for a quest to find one, but not in store coz all that I saw here in Malaysia are all having the same cut, the same fabric, the same design, and the one that I hate - the same two-buttons. I try to shun anything two-buttons coz I hate it when one element in the clothing is not being used. What's the point of having another button if I never utilized it, right? So, online it is of course.

Thankfully I found one at Asos. (you know Asos has been my only go-to shopping site nowadays!). But I am torn on which one should I picked as there are two different slim suits. But having my prying eyes wide open and really 'scrutinizing' the suits carefully I finally selected one which I think hit the right notes.

Apart from the one-button, slim silhouette that the suit is offering, other features tick the boxes for me. Slim lapels? Check (coz sometimes, though the suit is categorized under 'slim' the lapel might be quite broad!). Hugging waist? Check (if it is slim but not really cekak the waist, what's the point?). Another check? The extra point I gave to the diagonal or slanting pocket coz this is one element on how any great suit jacket should be. It's more Italian and more edgy, as what most famous fashion houses did. 

And the price of course. Though it's cheap (with another 20% discount), the quality is good coz knowing Asos all these years I'm always satisfy with any of my purchase. I think they really emulate what they preach though: ASOS - As Seen On Screen. What you see designer do, they can do the same but with fractions of the cost! Brilliant.

Suit by Asos. Shirt by +J Uniqlo. 

Vest by H&M. Bag by Burberry. Cuff by Burton.

Bow tie by Kitschen

Versace x H&M Opens Tomorrow

I'm supposed to be boarding my flight today to Singapore, but at last minute I decided not to. Actually, it's not really a last minute decision as I made it quite long time ago, even prior my birthday weekend in fact. I have a second thought about going to the Lion City; to line up queueing together with the manic fellow shoppers at the H&M store in Orchard Road. I know I'll be missing the chance of a lifetime coz tomorrow the Versace for H&M collection is gonna make its debut worldwide. There would be a massive snake-like queue along the road, as what the other H&M-designer collaboration normally is seen. 

But, yeah... I decided not to join the 'bandwagon'. After weighing all pro and cons, and having a retrospect on my previous H&M-designer collabo projects that I've been to, one question come to my mind: how frequent do I really wear the pieces that I bought during that event? Except for the Jimmy Choo collection which mainly the accessories like the leather shoes and bags, the other...meh.. I'm still finding the 'good' time to really wear them. 

Commes de Garçons x H&M: I bought the shirts in black and white, yet I'm still finding it very hard to fulfill my 'slim' or 'skinny' ensemble in the current situation. The other one that I bought - the wool cardigan - that's super awesome, had to be given to my niece instead coz it accidentally went into 'honey, I shrunk the clothes' moment as I put it into the high-temperature dryer while doing my laundry back in Stamford Hill - it turned to shrink a third of the size! [click]

Matthew Williamson x H&M - I bought the white shirts with MW's signature manic print. Yet, I think it's not too appropriate to wear it to the office due to its psychedelic hem. The other stripes linen-mix jumper that looks like it's from Paul Smith - that has become quite oversized and I hate it now. The only thing i bought in the collection which I wear quite frequently (apparently) are the speedos, which I don't wanna discuss when I do wore them anyway! (ahaks!) [click]

Sonia Rykiel x H&M - I bought them but I gave it to my sis since the collection is all about the womenswear. [click]

Roberto Cavalli x H&M - I can't afford it that time though I'm dying to get the mid-calves boots. Victor & Rolf's collection? I'm a season late as I arrives in London just after its debut. Lanvin? Thank God I don't coz I hate every menswear pieces in the collection. So, in the end the one that I use on daily basis is really my Jimmy Choo - which I think is the best so far! [click]

So, to answer the question: am I going to queue in front of H&M for the Versace collection in Singapore? Nope. Not only because I can't see the frequent use of the pieces on a daily basis nor it's longevity in my wardrobe, but there would probably be thousands of people vying to get in into that ONE H&M store. Imagine people in Singapore + Malaysia + Brunei + Indonesia + Philippines - all might be swarming in into THAT one store. It's gonna be manic. Unlike in London or Japan, at least there're plenty of H&Ms across the city! :) 

Yet, there are two pieces in it that I think might be worth having your hands on i.e. the tux blazer and the leather asymmetric biker jacket, which I think are quite seasonless. Other than that...maybe nah!

And that's why I cancelled the hotel in Singapore... and choose Hotel Maya instead. much worth it! Anyway, for those who's gonna be there... enjoy! (please get me those jackets in size 38!!)

[pix from various sources]

Freaky Friday Wear

So, Friday 11/11/11 has join the forces to become one of the dates to remember, huh? Pretty cool isn't it given that the date really happen once in a century. (It is a century, right? Coz the last one is 11/11/1911 !!). I know there has been a lot of hooplas going around the world, including the one that says that the Pyramid Giza has been closed to public due to some Pagan believers who wanna take the advantage of the 'supreme power' happen on the date. Errkss.. kinda freaky, don't you think? Others, well.. some just wanna get hitched on the special 11/11/11, while there's also one case even booked a Ceaserean birth yesterday. Whatever it is, as long as their happy to commemorate the day, why not? Me, what did I do? Oh, that you-know-what thing.. ahaks! (jgn marah aaa... nanti kena jual!)

Anyway, yesterday I decided to be in the freaky mood as well coz I wore another pair of patent lace-ups derby to the office. It's by Zara and I just love the simplicity of the shoes. Pretty dressy and almost to OTT for the office. A friend at the PR Office even complimented on how it looks "wah, kilatnya kasut!" Absolutely, coz that's what patent gives you - the very watery, hi-sheen glow. Not Glow by J. Lo... just, glow. :)

And since I'm having meeting again in the morning with my research group, trying to qawtim on our multimillion dollar research fund that we received from the Government; I decided to wear my new black slimfit suit from Asos, paired with the purple Oxford shirt from River Island + black-purple stripes crochet tie from Uniqlo (plus, the Lanvin platinum tie bar as usual). Right now I presumed lots of my colleague at office already noticed that I wear different shirt every day - and when I put on some color, that effect is even profounded. "Wah, hari ni pakai purple Zamri?!" say one of the exec. 

"Ha ah... ingat nak pakai color mcm you (referring to her brown ensemble), tp nak go spiritual color sket...haha!" I replied. Indeed, purple is one spiritual color based on the chromatotherapy, which is good for freaky Friday like yesterday.

Currently Loving : Zara Double Breasted Coat

The must-haves for the autumn/winter : the belted overcoat. And these lots by Zara just hit the right notes. It's double-breasted, which is a huge trend for FW11 and the other is that the belt always made it appear slightly military which many started to love ever since a couple of seasons ago.

This red coat is the one I like the most, since color injection is huge in FW11 catwalks. From the symmetricality of the coat, the placement of buttons and the just-right knee-length, as well as the side pocket to the slightly 'mac' look with the epaulette - the coat look fantastic. Wearing it on the streets would definitely made you a star without a doubt.

The other coat gives an urban feel due to its grey color.  Though i'm not too excited about the patch pocket, yet there's some charm about this jacket made me drawn to it. Probably because of the strong masculine feel, which might appear like a modern twist of Sherlock Holmes coat - I'm kinda digging it. Or maybe because I can feel how luxe the material would be even with just looking at the pix. The luscious wool! 

But still, I love the red coat. Awesome!

[pix from zara]

A Jacket for All Occassions

There're reasons why I wear a blazer to the office on a daily basis. One reason is to prevent the chill aircond from freezing me up in the office coz I'm not a 'cold weather' kinda guy due to the lack of bodyfat myself (it's what I call insulation, nggg..!). The other, of course, is to look much more presentable compared to me just wearing a typical two-piece attire or, may God forbid, the hideous nylon jacket, coz you know everybody nowadays tend to inject a little bit of 'Mad Men' in them. There's another reason too, but I dare not share it here coz it got to do with me 'hiding something' from the masses. Something which I think may incite and causing certain people to be a bit... ehem.. no comment (ahaks!). Yet, for whatever reasons I think a blazer is a great addition to the office or casual attire since it elevate the look to be much more stylish and edgier than the rest who don't.

There're many blazers out there, but which one should you wear? Would you pair the top and the bottom in the same color and fabrication which is what a typical suit is all about? Or, would you go differently as in wearing separates instead, just like what the Americans call it as 'sports jacket'. What about the fabric, the fit, the patterns? And single- or double-breasted? Which jacket should you select for different occasions as the day goes by or during the weekend with the bosses and clients? The list could go on and on which may cause a huge enigma...

The answer is, it's up to you. As long as the pairing up between the jacket and the bottom, as well as the accessories that goes with it made the whole ensemble look good and not in the 'tacky' zone - the vast choice is absolutely yours. The most important, it should suit you astoundingly well. To me personally, I try to avoid any saggy part in my outfit, therefore everything must be slimfitting. For some injection of dandiness, I think the jacket with some pattern like Prince-of-Wales check or waffle and micro-prints would definitely separate you way apart from your colleagues.

These are some example of the jacket to wear on different occasions as being mentioned in the previous Shortlist issue.

A Little List of Things to Love...

[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.

They're Feeling The Blues...

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]

Lapels? What Lapels...?

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]

Waffle That You Can Wear

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]

Color Splash @ Roberto Cavalli SS2012

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]

Feeling Black and White

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