The Material Boy #429

Below: Check out Dries Van Noten's Spring Summer 2011 merchandise! These I love!
Nennos short sleeve belted knit cardigan is perfect for summer:-)

Below: As seen on the Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2011 runway...

Below: I also love this Camel Leather Holdall with a vintage appeal!

Below: Dandy charm for me with this slightly translucent and sexy Callan Checks Shirt...

Below: As seen on the Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2011 runway...

Below: Colours are indispensible for Spring Summer attire... so this red and blue grosgrain belt will do just right!

Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2011 Wishlist

Though Fall Winter collections are starting to be marked down to make way for Spring Summer new styles, the weather is still mighty cold in Europe and temperate regions. Hence, the warmth of winter gears are still in dire need, and stores are unlikely to stock up on new season offerings so soon. But thanks to online stores, Spring Summer 2011 merchandise are slowly trickling in for anxious customers to start stocking up!

I just received a press release from a UK online store, LN-CC whose selections from Martin Margiela to Raf Simons and Rick Owens have caught my eye. The simple layout of the website is a dear to browse thru. All the product pics are clear and well shot against a woody background that made the merchandise looked exceptionally appealing. (Not to mention the very cute male model!) Well done!

Out of all the brands, Dries Van Noten's Spring Summer 2011 collection for the online store is my favourite. Here's a few items I have now declared on my wishlist:

1) Nennos Short Sleeve Belted Cardigan @ £300

We have seen aplenty of long sleeve versions and they prove sometimes inappropriate for summer weather. So these short sleeve versions in Black and camel colour is the perfect solution for cardigan fans! Added with a smart detachable leather belt across the body, the cardigan can be adjusted to be more body hugging, while creating an interesting look to the garment.

2) Brown Leather Holdall @ £586

I love the vintage charm of this leather bag! Dries Van Noten always manages to capture a bit of nostalgia in his collections. Roomy and slouch, this bag will serve you well as an office carry all or gym bag. The tone on tone colour of the adjustable leather handles add depth to the colours, and can fit your fancies for shoulder or hand carry. I simply love it's simplicity and vintage appeal. This bag will aged extraordinary well.

3) Callan Checks Shirt @ £152

I love the fabrication of this lightweight and slightly translucent shirt. Subtly exuding sexiness while having gorgeous navy and green patterns. This 'airy' shirt is both smart and casual for summer shorts or tailor pants. If you like to dress modern dandy, this shirt is perfect!

4) Grosgrain Belt @ £134

Colours, colours, colours... no need for more explanation why I like this belt. Goes with summer shorts, enhancing any look with some striking hues. It somehow reminded me for the UK Union Jack flag too!

Thanks to LN-CC for the heads up! Another alternative to online shopping! Love these Dries Van Noten items:-)

Source: LN-CC

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #137

Below: Carrot pants are my new favourite for Fall Winter 2010! Have you gotten yours yet? These slouchy on the top but skinny on the legs trousers are seen on many runways... from Dries Van Noten's cuffed hem versions...

Below: to Dolce & Gabbana's tailored or washed effect styles...

Below: or Neil Barrett's contemporary interpretations paired with high cut boots...

Below: or Topman Design's baggy cargo style design...

Below: Find affordable versions of skinny carrot pants at Topman, so many colours and fabrics to choose from...they looked fab dressed up or down:-)

Below: Carrot pants looked great with blazers or chukka boots like those similar to Pierre Hardy's!

Carrot Pants For Men

Typically a silhouette of trousers for women, these roomy at the crotch but tapered at the legs design (hence the shape of a carrot) are now seen commonly for men's collections. From Dries Van Noten to Dolce & Gabbana to Neil Barrett, designers are embracing this shape of pants for their boys. This fall winter 2010, the legs are even more skinny to emphasize the tapered shape and the volume on top. I really love the interesting proportion which gives skinny or baggy pants a run for their money.

Slim guys worked this style of pants especially well, since it gives a bit of volume to the lower body but still tight at the legs. The carrot pants are also very versatile and can be worn for many different looks. Rolled up the hem and pair with blazers for casual dandy flair, tucked into boots for a tough appeal or get those cuff hem versions which seem like a hybrid of sweat pants and tailored looks. The possibilities are countless!

I love my carrot pants, having gotten a few pairs myself. Topman has many designs to choose from, in many colours and fabrics, all at a good price (From SGD$83). Of course, for guys who wants the best, top luxury menswear designers are more than willing to offer you their luxurious versions.

What do you think of carrot style pants?

Source: Neil Barrett, Dries Van Noten, Dolce & Gabbana, Topman, Style Sightings

Limi Feu & Dries Van Noten Spring 2011: Paris Fashion Week

So far I'm seeing a lot of black on the Paris runways, not a very bright message for Spring, however I can't argue with French fashion. Ever seen a French woman in a potato sack NOT looking chic?...

LIMI FEU
Yay for redhead representation at Limi Feu's Spring 2011 collection! Yohji Yamamoto's designer daughter sees big volume for Spring, particularly the big '80's hair meets Slash of Guns N' Roses look...













DRIES VAN NOTEN
A glint of sparkle among cool sporty separates is always good...









Images courtesy of Style.com
Main photo: Broadwayworld.com

My Shopping Conquest #110

Below: My 'Tokyo' Winter Wardrobe shopping yesterday... Zara Military Crossed Cotton Double Breasted Jacket in Dark Olive Green...

Below: Love the military inspired design/colour with touches of trench coat style... those overflap on the shoulder are commonly seen on trench coats:-)

Below: Epaulets on shoulders, like an officer's jacket...

Below: Straps on sleeves for more utilitarian touches...

Below: Burnished zipper pulls to complete the 'rugged' feel...

Below: Me trying out the jacket, open and closed style... Double breasted is a key trend in jackets for Fall Winter 2010... I like the cropped length of this jacket:-)

Below: Collar prepped up or sleeves rolled up:-) Wearing a denim shirt under worked great too! I will change the buttons to gold ones as seen on the Burberry and Balmain looks below:-P
(PS. For some reason, I thought it worked well with shorts too:-P)

Below: How the jacket is being styled in Zara's lookbook:-P I like the layering and belt...

Below: Winter 2010 key styles: Military and double breasted... Burberry Prorsum Fall Winter 2010... The gold buttons make the jacket pop (Price: £1495) !

Below: Another Burberry Prorsum Fall Winter 2010 TDF piece... more slim fitted and shorter... Fab with slim jeans and boots!

Below: Sold on www.burberry.com for £1495... Unless I win the lottery or living in temperate climates, I cannot justify spending so much for winter wear. Sob sob...I love this jacket and wish I live somewhere in London:-P

Below: Neil Barrett does his double breasted take on these jackets with leather details:-P

Below: Dries Van Noten Fall Winter 2010 is also sending double breasted down the runway in military glory:-P

Shopping Weekends At Zara... Winter Wardrobe

In December I shall whisk away to the ultimate land of retail temptations, the world of radical fashion and things adorable and kawaii! Yes, I will be off to the bustling city of fast trends, Tokyo! From architecture, fashion, retail, food and local culture, it's a visual catch up on all things hip and trendy, and I will keep an open mind like a sponge to observe and watch.

So what will I wear, what style should I adopt in order not to 'lose face' in front of these fashion aficionados? Zara seems to be a good start, considering I am not going to be maximise my 'investments' in winter gear when I am living in hot humid Singapore. So for the past 2 weekends, I have been scouting around for appropriate pieces. My mission directive: Military, Lightweight, Protection, Military, Balmain/Burberry Inspired.

With these guiding criteria, I set out my exciting shopping expedition (it's like a drug that kicks in the adrenaline:-P). And for 2 weeks, I did not find anything that fits the bill, until yesterday...

Look what I got:-) My new Zara Military Crossed Cotton Double Breasted Jacket in Dark Olive Green. The double breasted fit (hot menswear trend this fall season!) is what sold me the jacket. The details are amazing considering it is a fast fashion piece. Well constructed with military epaulets, sleeve straps and an oversize collar that can be prepped up for maximum cold protection. I intend to use the layering strategy to keep warm, so even if the material is heavy weight cotton, it will still provide suffice insulation.

Check out the shoulder area with the extra overflap detail that is commonly seen in trench coat designs. I love that touch to bring a more utilitarian touch to the jacket. I am considering changing the buttons to gold military ones as per Burberry and Balmain's. This will up the luxe appeal of the jacket especially with gold against olive drab green. Sizes starts from 46 (which fits even the slimmest dude) and costs an affordable SGD229. Perfect for pairing with my Balmain Homme waxed cotton jeans and tall leather boots.

On the side, I also got tempted by a cotton biker jacket (SGD129) that at first glance resemble distressed leather, but without the weight and thickness. Gorgeous for Singapore weather. Anyone keen?

Below: I also spotted this 'leather lookalike' Jersey Cotton Biker Perfecto Jacket for only SGD129... love the wash, without the bulk and weight:-P Balmain for a fraction of the price?!?!

Below: Overlapping collars with zips...

Below: Balmain Homme's version at Euro 3685!

Below: I had to try it on...

Below: Maybe not with crop pants and loafers...

Retail price: SGD229. Where to buy: Zara Boutique at Liat Towers

Source: Burberry, Balmain, Zara