My MANy Bags Trendspotting #161

Below: Like an undertow, nautical themes are following strongly behind the major colour blocking trends of Spring Summer 2011...

Below: Do not get too literal on all sailor dressing, be creative and get ready to surprise with colours, proportions and clashing patterns...

Nautical Themes For Spring Summer 2011

Like an undertow, following 'silently' behind the major Colour Blocking frenzy of Spring Summer 2011, nautical themes are also a 'must-watch' for this season. Just look at the amount of bold stripes and sailor themes taking a 'supporting role' amongst the colour blocking leads of many major runway shows. From Prada, Jil Sander, Junya Watanabe to Marc By Marc Jacobs... fun in the high seas of the fashion world is evident.

However, do not get too literal and dress all sailor... chose bright colours for your stripes (yellows, oranges etc instead of navy), clash it with patterns (such as Prada mis-matching stripes with tropical motifs) and play with unexpected proportions (such as Jil Sander's stripe maxi dress). As for accessories, wear lace-ups and brogues with your nautical ensembles instead of deck shoes and add sparingly some nautical elements such as anchor motif belts and stripey furs. Whatever it is, be ready to surprise and get creative instead of being predictable.

Start sailing for a colourful Summer 2011! I need a vacation already:-)

(More looks from the major runways featuring Nautical Themes on my facebook fanpage. 'LIKE' my fanpage if you enjoyed this post:-P)

Source: Style, ASOS

Haider Ackermann, Junya Watanabe, Lanvin, Christian Dior Fall 2011

The glory days of skirts are back! Long layered skirts, gorgeous little pleated ones, dresses that look like skirts...and I just cannot get enough of Haider Ackermann's accessorized to perfection collection!!

HAIDER ACKERMANN

JUNYA WATANABE

CHRISTIAN DIOR (sans John Galliano)

LANVIN

All images courtesy of WWD

The Material Boy #377

Below: Blazer of LOVE from Zara #1... a smart plaid blazer that allows you to pull off the Junya Watanabe SS2010 preppy looks:-)

Below: Blazer of LOVE from Zara #2... gathered seams design that is derivative of Lanvin's Spring Summer 2009 version. I want! :-)

Below: Blazer of LOVE from Zara #3... Modernity in the irridescent blue blazer :-)

Zara Spring Summer 2010 Mens Blazers (My Picks!)

Shopping in Zara is a joy. Not just because the prices are attainable and you can afford almost anything you like. But it is also the constant stocking of new pieces each week that refreshes the store experience. A smart move for a retailer that keeps customers coming back regularly to check out new arrivals. Luxury stores may have all the most coveted merchandise, but the stocks usually becomes stagnant after all the season's orders have arrived. Repeated store visits then only makes you see the same things over and over again.

So I love Zara for weekly shopping visits. Even if I do not buy, I like to see what's available. Sfter checking out the stores in SG and also online, here's my picks from Zara's Spring Summer 2010 collection... 3 blazers that I strongly feel gets a good vote in classic style and yet value for money.

1) Zara Plaid Blazer - What can I say, if you want to achieve Junya Watanabe's Spring Summer 2010 preppy looks, this lookalike from Zara has all the makings for gentlemen allure. I love the white colour with small grey plaid patterns. White coloured blazers are the best to match summery pastel hues. It's a great base for colour in your attire and definitely sophisticated in appeal.

2) Zara Gathered Seams Blazer - Who would have thought you can own a design feature from Lanvin's Spring Summer 2009 collection for a fraction of the price?!?! Remember Lanvin's gathered seams blazer that I was raving about here. I almost got that during the further sale last Fall season. But even at 60% discount, it still costs almost a hefty SGD $2000. (The original price was approx. $4300 as sold in Club 21 Mens!). So this lookalike from Zara's Spring Summer 2010 collection is a great alternative to enjoy some gathered seams design at a fraction of the original's price:-) I also prefer the light grey colour as it more unusual than Navy. The contrast trim on the collar adds a dash of eye catching detail too.

3) Zara Iridescent Blue Blazer - Last but not least, a smart light blue blazer made from iridescent fabric that undulates in tones of pink and blue under different lighting conditions. I love the modernity of the shimmery material... a stunning piece for any evening functions.

So you may ask how much do I have to fork out for these lovely blazers? Well, most definitely you will get to keep your arm and leg... because at SGD $259, no one will have to go thru baked beans for a whole month! I think it's Zara shopping time this coming weekend for me:-)

Source: Zara

Retail price: SGD $259. Where to buy: Zara Boutiques

The Runway Sniper #43

Junya Watanabe Spring Summer 2010 Men's Runway Video

The good folks at Très Bien Shop posted this Junya Watanabe Spring Summer 2010 Men's Runway Video. Ooooh, how I love the sound track. So french, so laid back...makes me wanna head to far away land and just chill... of course wearing those gorgeous Junya pieces:-P

(Do take note of the 2nd model...he walks so 'proudly' twisting his butt! Never seen male models this 'vain' and showy:-P The third model looks like he has severe cramp on his arms. So stiff and constantly tucked at the back... Weird models:-P)

Source: Très Bien Blog

The Material Boy #358

Below: Junya Watanabe's blazers always have very surprisingly colourful and interesting lining! I like the blue blazer on the right with contrasting shoulder and lapel details, but most of all, the floral lining! (Click on pic to enlarge)

Below: The blazer (see right) as seen on the runway...

Below: All these Junya Watanabe Shirts with 'ontrasting fabric detailing on either shoulders or pockets are a breathe of fresh air from traditional shirt construction... Love it! (Click on pic to enlarge)

Below: The shirts as seen on the runway...

Below: T-shirts are also available for the casual weekends look. I can't say I like the one on the left, but the stripe version which has an interesting pocket detail position at where the stripe is looks promising... (Click on pic to enlarge)

Junya Watanabe Spring Summer 2010 Shirts and Blazers

If you want unconventional sartorial style, then Junya Watanabe's Spring Summer 2010 men's collection is for you! A subtle but quirky take on men's formal dress attire of blazers and shirts, the look is playful with mismatched fabric patching and eye poping jacket lining. Innovative without putting guys out of their comfort zone. I see my name on many of those gorgeous blazers. The shorts with blazer look paired with derby shoes are perfect smart get ups any day! Definitely a brand to watch out for this coming Spring Summer:-)

Source: GQ, Hypebeast

My Shopping Conquest #85

Below: Junya Watanabe makes the best jackets! I love this one!

Below: The leather elbow patches is what made this jacket distinctive, as does the gorgeous tan colour!

Below: Reminiscent of hunting jackets in the old days...

Below: You cannot help but fall in love with the 'sweet' fuchsia gingham check lining...

Below: It appears even on the underside of the collar:-P

Below: Runway look of the jacket with matching vests and pants...
Panama hat rounds up the cool look!

Junya Watanabe Tan Coloured Sports Jacket With Leather Elbow Patch

Another of my Club 21 End of Season sale shopping loot...long over-delayed! Junya Watanabe has climb up my favourites chart since last season. And I am definitely looking forward to his Spring Summer 2010 collection which features even more amazing designs especially on his jackets and plaid patterns. Meanwhile, I am jolly about this Junya Watanabe Tan Coloured Sports Jacket With Leather Elbow Patch which I got during Club 21's sale in July. The leather elbow patches was a distinctive feature for the piece, resembling hunting jackets for men in the good old days. However, Junya takes classic references and reinvent them, making them contemporary for the modern dandy. The cut is slim fitted and cropped which makes it modern and smart. The fuchsia gingham checks lining, on the insides and under the collar adds some fun and colour which I absolutely adore too:-P There is always a certain charm to men wearing some pink!

A bit pricey for a cotton jacket, but I guess the leather detailing is the reason...but definitely worth investing especially when bought during the sale! It sold out fast, which goes to show I was not alone in loving this jacket:-) Versatile with jeans and even have a matching vest and pants (But I passed on those as I can never pull off a full suit). Great for some Panama adventure, wear with brogues or shorts!

Source: Model pics from Frillr

The Material Boy #302

Below: Junya Watanabe's ingenious Spring Summer 2009 Men's reversible jacket...
now you see black blazer...

Below: next, it's a red biker jacket!

Below: Black blazer...

Below: and then blue biker jacket...2 looks for the price of one!

Junya Watanabe Spring Summer 2009 Reversible Blazers/Jackets

I really like these reversible jackets from Junya Watanabe's Spring Summer 2009 Menswear collection. There are several incarnations of his ingenious designs, but I like these blazers that reversed out into biker style jackets. Very unique. Often, reversible pieces are for change of colours or fabrics, but Junya took this a step further and you get 2 distinctively different styles in his version!

I cannot seem to find these at Club 21, even during start of the pre-sale. Whoever buys them anywhere, congrats! This is one investment piece that is fun and one of a kind!

Source: www.men.style.com

My Shopping Conquest #79

Below: I am 'feeling' the vest lately:-P

Below: Love the colour and fabric on this Junya Watanabe Vest...

Below: Fall Winter 2009 DSquared2...love the match up of vest, shirt and jeans...

Below: or even a sweat shirt as seen on this D2 model...

Below: One my my favourite Fall Winter 2009 collections from Japanese label, Factotum with the vests and
checks shirt with ribbon at the neck...

Below: The 'vested' look as seen on Mihara Yasuhiro's fall winter 2009 collection too...

Below: Moschino's take on the vest for Fall Winter 2009...

Below: What sold me the 'vested' look...these D&G cowboys from Spring Summer 2010!
Love love love!

Junya Watanabe Deep Green Wool Pinstripe Vest

Lately I have been contemplating with the idea of the 'vested' look. For fall winter 2009 season, we see quite a handful of designers playing up the presence of this classic men's garment, but often making it more contemporary by juxtaposing with casual pieces (as seen on DSquared2 which paired the vest (waistcoat) with jeans or even sweat shirt). But what sold me the 'vested' look was D&G's Spring Summer 2010 Collection which sees 2 super cute modern 'cowboys' strutting down the catwalk in slim tight vest against jeans and plaid shirts. It's taking a classic garment and toughening it up which I love love love!:-) I do not think I will ever attempt the 3 piece suit ensemble, but these more casual combinations is definitely getting my interest.

So yesterday I went down to Club 21 to see if I can pick up a vest since it is 50% markdowns as of yesterday! (Hurry...time to bag some statement pieces at a bargain!) I had reserved a Junya Watanabe Khaki Coloured vest, which was a matching piece to another Junya Watanabe jacket I bought recently. But the size left was a medium and did not fit me. Instead, I picked up another more classic version which is this equally beautiful Junya Watanabe Deep Green Wool Pinstripe Vest. Immaculate slim cut, cropped and in an interesting deep green colour (quite unconventional and looks almost dark grey at certain lighting) which will serve me just well in pulling off the vested look. Looking forward to wearing this for sure:-) At least I know I will not sweat like in sauna wearing this in Singapore!

Where to buy: Club 21 Mens at Four Seasons Hotel