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

The Stripes & Dots of Spring

From top: Vogue.com, Miu Miu Resort Spring 2011 via Style.com, belt Miu Miu @ Net-a-porter.com, Miu Miu Resort Spring 2011 via Style.com, jacket & top Zara.com, Jeffrey Campbell wedge @ Singer22.com, PRADA Spring '11 campaign via saragilbaneinteriors.com, earrings Betsey Johnson @ Zappos.com, A.L.C. dress @ Net-a-porter.com

My MANy Bags Lookbook #24

Below: New myMANybags lookbook for Spring Summer 2011!

Colour Rush

It's a flurry of colours this Spring Summer 2011 season. Much as I love the colour blocking trend, I do not see myself in head to toe outrageous hues. So I devised my own colour blocking style toning it down just a little. Using a white shirt as the base, I surround it with other more eye poping pieces and accessories to create the colour trend.

Martin Margiela White Plastron Shirt is plain but with an unusual longer back (like a swallow tail) for added detailing interest. Balenciaga's Mimosa RGH Triple Tour Bracelet gives a yellow boost against the bright Topman 'Yves Klein Blue' Slim fit Chinos. A Jil Sander Orange Colour Belt wraps around the waist, dissecting the white top and blue bottom while giving another layer of colour blocking. Finally, I accessorise the outfit with a pair of the hottest shoe of the season, Prada's Espadrilles Brogues, a cute blue Net-net Swallow Shaped Fabric Brooch and my favourite Céline Cabas Linen Stripe (for its subtle touches of blue and red).

I am having a colour rush!

(Check out my other lookbook posts here)

Source: Prada, Mr Porter, Balenciaga, Topman, Lane Crawford

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #157

Below: The hottest blue for Spring Summer 2011... feeling blue has never been so uplifting!

Below: Yves Klein blue and all those hues inbetween makes a strong statement both in mens and womens Spring Summer 2011 collections!

Spring Summer 2011 Colour Story: Yves Klein Blue And Those Blues Inbetween...

In 1961, French artist Yves Klein created his artwork based on Monochrome abstraction—the use of one color over an entire canvas— a strategy adopted by many painters wishing to challenge expectations of what an image can and should represent.

He worked with a chemist to develop his own particular brand of blue. Made from pure color pigment and a binding medium, it is called International Klein Blue. Klein adopted this hue as a means of representing his own particular Utopian vision of the world.

Fast forward to Spring Summer 2011, Yves Klein's 'Utopian vision of blue' landed in abundance on the fashion runways across Milan and Paris. Yves Klein blue and all those hues inbetween are the must-watched colour for this season. Prada, Jil Sander, Pringle of Scotland, Mulberry all uses Yves Klein's blue to some extent in their collections. It's one of the most striking hues to adopt if you want to ride on the colour blocking trend. I love this colour! Bright and striking, definitely for the guy or gal who wants some attention.

For once, feeling 'blue' has never been so uplifting!

Source: Style

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #155

Below: Further to my post yesterday on the 'Balmain Homme Varsity Jacket + Boots look'... Here's a little observation I made from Jak n Jil's New York Fashion Week street shots. During the recent New York Fashion week, I noticed not one but quite a few guys spotted with their Varsity jackets... Will this translate into a 'back to college' inclination to men's dressing soon? (I love his black and white version and creating a monotone colour story...even his bag is matching:-P)

Below: Varsity = college = young = colourful...

Below: A touch of soft pastel softens and surprise a usually 'jock-ish' look...

Below: Dandy touch with the cravat... style can start young, even when you are in 'college'...

Below: Stand out from the crowd with some eye popping colour...

Below: or Maroon and camel beige... Varsity Jackets is now on my style radar...

Below: Will Balmain Homme's Varsity jacket look from Fall Winter 2010 cause a wave of college inspired dressing? Only time will tell...

Below: Or have Prada SS2011's Varsity inspired leather shopping bags (customisation allowed for your initials) already herald the coming of those jocks and college chic?

Back To School: Varsity Jackets

I blogged about my inspiration of Varsity Jackets and boots yesterday. And today, I made a small observation browsing thru pictures taken by Jak and Jil, of guys during the recent New York Fashion Week.

Are these college inspired dressing rising in favour with guys? Will it blossom into a 'back to college' phenomenon in mens dressing soon? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I am loving every look and possibility from this 'jock style' dressing. Make it dandy with soft pastels and a nice cravat, get some American retro hip or tough it up with boots and some rebel attitude. Suffice to say, Varsity Jackets are now on my style radar.

What say you?

Source: GQ by Jak n Jil, Balmain, Prada

Stripey for PRADA Spring 2011

 I will sum up my feelings about PRADA's Spring ode to canvas handbag stripes in just three words: I WANT ONE!

Main Elle image courtesy of FGR ,
Runway images courtesy of style.com

The Material Boy #436

Below: Affordable but packs a huge style, these Prada Printed Nylon tote bags are a must buy for Spring Summer 2011!

Below: Light weight and durable, in colourful prints... these nylon totes also feature leather handles which adds more refinement to previous versions from Prada...

Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes

The indisputable creator of desirable nylon totes has to be Prada... The brand shot to fame when they first manufactured those 'highly copied' black nylon parachute bags that is still to this day a highly popular bag design. Fast forward to recent seasons, the nylon material has taken on even more expressive incarnations with prints and colours on Prada's nylon creations, especially the tote bags.

First came the colourful 'Bring Your Own bags' eco friendly totes, now Spring Summer 2011 sees another batch of patterned tote bags (Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes) which have me giving my thumbs up! From arabic patterns to geometric combinations, these no frills tote bags comes with leather handles this time, adding a much welcomed refinement to the design. I love the blue arabic print version! I saw a suited guy in Bangkok carrying this bag and it fits just as nicely with smart styling as does casual weekend chic. The light weight and durable material is also most ideal to take away on holidays. There is an interior zip pocket for added security and handles can be shoulder carried if you have slimmer arms (I tested it for myself at the Prada Bangkok Boutique). All in all, I just love those colours and interesting prints!

These new Prada Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes comes in an array of patterns and colours besides the blue version, so I am sure one tickle your fancy. Retailing at Euro 250, they are affordable but packs a huge style. I want one!

Source: Prada, Saks

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #147

Below: Plaid, one of the most prominent patterns on Italian men right now... on jackets...

Below: in bright reds...

Below: on scarves and pocket squares...

Below: as green and on blousons... Plaids are everyhwere! Classic flair is back!

Below: Footwear of choice for these 'gentlemen'... Classic brogues!

Below: Brogues styles are huge... even in quirky thick soled versions...

Below: Or boot soled designs...

The Undying Classics: Plaids And Brogues

It's a PLAID Winter this Fall 2010 season... A week in Milan Fashion week and Pitti Uomo in Florence (for Fall Winter 2011 collections) and Tommy Ton (Jak and Jil) has managed to capture what real men are wearing in the Italian Fashion capital at this moment.

It's evident, Plaid is huge (and I have observed this trend when I was in Tokyo early December 2010, did a lookbook post based on Plaid Patterns too)... red, blue, green... Scottish, English gentlemenly styles are IN. This is one 'classic revival' season, less severe military, more refined debonair charm.

And footwear of choice? Of course, something as classic as Brogues. And perhaps Prada's statement making Spring Summer 2011 colourful 'platform' brogues have a huge part to play... all the boys wants this footwear style ( be it as boots, lace-ups or those thick soled versions by Prada!).

I am now dreaming of plaid' and 'Brogues' already...INSPIRED!

More pics on my Facebook Fan Page

Source: GQ by Tommy Ton

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #146

Below: This 'Mr Style Inspiration' has done it again (from Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch to Giacomorelli Lepoard Studded Loafers)... he surprises me every time I see his pics on street style blogs. Love his Lanvin Fall Winter 2010 Mens Camouflage Double Breasted Jacket and those gorgeous yellow soled Lanvin Snakeskin Slip-ons! I think his feather vest is from Ann Demeuleemester and that is also TDF! Fabulous interplay of the luxe and the rough... His statement bag resembling a hot water bottle makes you cannot help but notice him... Quirky but chic!

Below: I love his grey wool pants, in a slightly looser fit to contrast the slim cut blazer...

Below: Lanvin Camouflage Print Blazer from Fall Winter 2010...

Below: The yellow soled Lanvin Snake skin slip-ons is gorgeous...who has ever seen these in real? SG store did not stock this:-(

Below: Ann Demeuleemester Feather Vest... sold out at www.restir.com

Below: Prada's SS2011 Menswear is bold with colours and also makes a huge style statement with those thick soled brogues...

Below: Prada's SS2011 thick soled brogues... SGD$1450...

Below: Colourful oversized sweater from Prada SS2011 is also a statement making piece, a must have for the new season...

Statement Shoes And Bags

They say clothes make the man. But I'd say statement shoes and bags is just like icing on the cake to make the man and outfits even more outstanding.

Check out these 2 Milan guys... each wearing statement pieces from the runways, but always with an eye catching accessory... be it those Lanvin Snake Skin Shoes and Hot Water Bottle Bag... or thick soled brogues only Prada can conceived...

I am again inspired!

Source: Lanvin, Prada, The Fashionist, Restir

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #141

Below: Finally a model carrying the Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote... this is one of the best Prada bags ever! Love the simple and luxurious design:-)

Below: I got mine in Caramel colour last X'mas... still loved it so much:-)

Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote

It's been almost a year (last year's x'mas time) since I got this Prada Saffiano Leather Double Zip Executive Tote. Have not seen any pics of real fashionistas carrying the bag (Although hers seemed to be without zippers)... but now I found one, and it is on the arms of gorgeous model, Sophie Srej!

I named this my 'Prada-kin'... as the luxe feel and design give me a sense of the Hermès Birkin. At least until I bag an actual Birkin.

Time to dig out this Prada bag this weekend:-)

Source: Stockholm Streetstyle