Markazer: 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?!?!