tight tweeds and secret needs

Men’s singlet. Again. Men’s cuff. Again. Men’s suspenders. Again.

You know why men look buff in their singlets? It’s because these are cut to look that way, a women’s wifebeater (well, technically a tank top) is cut to flatter her chest in another way altogether. Anyhows, a man’s singlet goes purr-fectly whenever I’m feeling androgynous

The ladder was leaning against the chiku tree at the back since it’s harvest time.

but somehow, a girl cannot abandon her high heels

the look: very minimal makeup

read: base and a smear of brown eyeshadow

love the Revolution-like theme on the tee. I suspect it’s Che-inspired, since I see Hasta la Victopia on the label. . still what is Victopia beats me.

men’s singlet: Blend

suspenders: some random accessories shop

multiple-crucifix chain: Mango

cuff: some random accessories shop

drainpipes: Victoria Beckham for Rock & Republic

shoes: Charles & Keith

It seems an unconscious decision to pull out something in black-and-white, only when I’m out do I really realize that I’m in that combination . .yet again. To borrow what a friend says about his routs and patterns, it must be a fad. My black-and-white fad. After all, I used to say that a monochromatic life is dullest. Black-and-white looks best on cats, zebras and in clothes. There are some weeks I am entirely in red-and-black. It’s almost crazy, but like I always protest with my friend– loca es mi defecto de nacimiento. Meaning it’s my birth defect. It drives him nuts, but who cares.

shoes from Nine West; handbag from Chanel; dress from BySi; earrings stolen from The Mother; necklace from Dorothy Perkins; bracelet vintage

This might have been the second time I’ve ever worn this dress. Because I hardly wear most of my clothes– I have a rotation system, but then again they have to compete with the hitherto-unworn ones as well as the new additions which are a condition of existence– I can remember how often I wear some of them. Numbers so small are quite easy to remember anyhows.

The last time I wore this. . was with my pearls. The friends call it The Dominatrix Pearls because they come with metal, but I like them.

necklace from Six; clutch from Perllini’s; shoes from Charles & Keith

Another monochromatic getup to work. Actually I began with the camisole which is so big it’s safety pinned to death. Sometimes I buy the wrong sizes so you can actually see extra larges, larges, mediums, smalls and extra-smalls in my wardrobe when I’m really an XXS. Actually, make that an XXXS. Tucked it into my Sara Sturgeon skirt because I thought I’d wear it another time before sending it to the dry cleaner’s. And then The Mother told me, “Hey wear my vest”. And voila.

Today, however, I tied the skirt at the side rather than in the middle.

Clearly I am in need of more black shoes. Actually, I might have seven pairs. Just that this one’s perfect for sprinting for the bus in.

top: Mango

necklace: Diva for Ms Selfridge

ring: Mango

cuff: Purple Smoke

shoes: Pazzion

vest: Esther Tay (my mom’s)

skirt: Sara Sturgeon

shades: Mango

Like last week, today’s sun was an utter killer. Therefore, I searched frantically for a top as loose as possible. This one’s actually used when I go swimming (nah, actually it’s floating) and jacuzzi-ing or tanning, because its knitted strap-area reminds me of the beach and the pool. Which makes it perfect for lopping over a bikini.

The pants are actually high-waisted, but the camera angle doesn’t make it seem that high. I love the slouchiness of the wide-leg.

Today, too, I experimented with thicker eyeliner.

top: Mango

beads: my Mother’s

pants: BySi

earrings: gift

ring: Mango

shoes: Pazzion

I am positively melting in the heat, so any clothes made of thin materials are welcomed with open arms.

top: Red

chain: vintage

culottes: Trend (my mom’s)

belt: my aunt’s

shoes: VNC

clutch: Aldo

bangles: Mango; vintage

3/4 of my wardrobe are from Mango because it’s quite cheap and they have a nice mix of stuff. It’s even nicer now that they have the Penelope Cruz range, which I really dig. I couldn’t find all the catalogue pictures online, but these are the ones I picked out

Kaotika on DeviantArt produces stunning and beautifully dark photography, providing pretty substantial influence on dressing choices. Check them out. .

words like arrows

the aviator

ephemeral

love in your eyes

poetry

2 times per day

There are days I wake up feeling like Charlie Chaplin.

shirt: Osmose
suspender pants: BySi
earrings: vintage
ring: gift
shades: Mango

Last year I wore the same poufy billowy Ali Baba-esque pants out, although with an off-white business shirt tucked in. Then did I realize that bangles could be used as sleeve-holders, i.e. to keep stubborn long-sleeves folded up. And then there was my Bright Toenails Phase too. Lol.

The poufy pants really look much better in real life, though; while the shirt has a pleated front.

shirt: Osmose

pants: BySi

bag: my Grandmother’s

shoes: Charles & Keith

studded cuff: Mango

bangle: Mango

earrings: vintage

On most days I wake up groggily and stumble to grab any clothes in less than five minutes. That is all I have to select and get changed. Today, whilst walking past a reflecting surface at the interchange, it hit me that I looked fetishistic. Shit. To which other people said the same, with silly smiles on their faces, topped off with stupid winks. Christ.

“You look like Madame”.

So, I decided to retort, “At least I can look like Madame”.

I think it’s the skirt with its zippers. And the boots. And the belt. And the Schoolgirlish top. Having been previously accused of looking fetishistic many-a-time. Well, a different kind of accusation. Let’s see the number of themes they’ve identified in me. Nun, schoolgirl, librarian, Madame, Secretary, etcetera. Until these days I have some fun figuring them out too.

It’s scary how so many people tell me I make things look themed. Unintentionally, that is. You know, one day if I turned into a full-blown Fetishist, you know just who’s fault it is. Ahh well, I love the boots, which were a gift, and are over four inches high. I always like pointy-toed stuff, so this is no exception.

It makes my legs look long, anyhows. I love legs. It’s quite freaky how people remember me as The Girl With Legs. I used to cut classes alot in junior college, and my skirt wasn’t even short then. After I left, I was told by acquaintances of friends who remembered me as the girl with long legs. That was before I started dabbling with short skirts. Ahh well, legs are made for walking. G’night world.

top: Red

skirt: Mango

belt: Mango

cuff: Purple Smoke

boots: Chinese Laundry

I love this bookstore because it’s big and has a good selection of books. Philosophy and Literature are always pretty deserted, so I can sit there for hours, hiding surreptitiously between the shelves, lost in the world of books.

dress: BySi
belt: my aunt’s
shoes: Pazzion
bracelet: vintage
bag: Chloé
earrings: Six