All cropped up

It feels refreshing when there's a feeling of getting hooked to a different kind of pants length and fit. I think I have outgrown my skinny jeans phase, but I still keep them in case skintight and ball-hugging bottoms subconsciously manage to influence me to re-wear them. My latest addition to my cropped, roomy trousers family (next to the Peter Jensen jodhpurs) are in the form of this tailored CK Calvin Klein goodness. Please don't worry guys as I did not overspend on this item - they were acquired part of my Johor Premium Outlet CK purchase besides a reversible jacket and a black dress(!). The frugal finds were totally unexpected as we just noticed the bargain rail right before we left the store. So we had to turn back and re-examined the whole length of that particular section. I left JPO a happy camper. Truly a bargain hunter bliss!

Pale as a ghost

Don't worry, the title does not actually refer to me being pale, but rather the state of washed-outness of my ensemble. But on a more serious note though, speaking about pale the thought of anaemic-looking models is quite disturbing at times. A phenomenon more prevalent amongst European models from my observation, this raises the question of (mal)nutrition and welfare in the modelling industry. From experience I can notice pallidness at a glance on makeup-less persons and rest assured, those lanky girls teetering in high heels and skinny jeans hopping from one show to another cannot be exactly called well-nourished. According to GQ (I know, not the most reliable source for health-related statistics) a staggering twenty percent of anorexics in America consist of men. I haven't seen cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia in Malaysia yet (but it's more likely that the place I'm working at has obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems as the major portions of the illness pie. Then again I don't see enough psychiatry-related patients enough ha ha).  

Two is as good

I'm having too much of festive food the past week and I suppose all the face stuffing is making me bloated a bit too much. And there goes the calories burnt during my jogging sessions (to be honest it's much easier to stack up on calories rather than shedding them, which I unfortunately learned to empathically understand recently). This weekend will be another round of 'open houses'  (a Malay/Malaysian tradition during the month of Syawal where friends and relatives come over for a visit, chat, and more importantly, an eating session) and my mum decided to host on this coming Saturday. Anyhow I had to churn out these not-so-new outfit photos from previous family/friend gatherings, which I find pointless to post given the fact that they're not that extraordinary. But somehow I think not publishing them will mean a waste of lugging the heavy DSLR all over to snap the images in the first place. Happy face stuffing!...

Dries Van Noten sheerness

Dries Van Noten makes truly simple, understated shirts with a twist. That is the case with this sheer cotton shirt in blue-and-brown stripes that I got hold of recently. The hues and diaphanous fabric are bold but subtle enough to prevent overtly-curious onlookers from ogling. Or maybe not, judging from the dubious nipple display?

Dries Van Noten SS12 shirt, ebay blazer, Cheap Monday jeans, Clarks Wallabees, Uniqlo socks

Getting Shirty: reconnected with the yellow-stained shirt

I've had a bundle of shirts that I've been meaning to wear, but due to my clothes-hoarding obsession I tend to forget about all this pile in my closet. They just lie unworn and consequently, much to my dismay, some of them start to yellow due to under-usage. 

I strongly suspect the intense Malaysian humidity makes a conducive environment for this kind of discoloration process to occur. I'm not sure exactly how, although there are a few speculations on this issue, but I think you can compare it to a turf of moss slowly growing on a dark, moist surface. What's even worse is keeping your clothes in a crowded space, that makes them prone to be savaged by moths/cockraches (shuddering at the thought of my hole-y Christopher Kane t-shirt...)

Batik-ed

I have been slightly crazy over prints (this is not a new occurrence at Dunia Fashyon - I just dabbled in paisley prints recently), and, following my subsequent jaunt to the Jonker's Walk, I have acquired this batik print backpack from a store called Next KK.

It has never crossed my mind that this seemingly souvenir-laden shop which aims at the flocks of tourists offers something that I myself would really buy... the memories of backpacking days in the Europe crept in: I had history of falling into such tourist traps where buying overpriced Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts, town-specific fridge magnets, key chains and postcards was the objective proof that you have been in, say, Paris or Berlin.

 

Whimsical trend: hybrid shoes

Recently we have been bombarded with a slew of brogue / trainer hybrids and all this obviously stemmed from Prada's notorious brogue/ espadrille shoes from SS2011, and not so long after that many other labels follow suit. I've seen good experimentation (for example the ones from Comme des Garcons x Generic Man collab) but there are a few rather questionable ones, of course (J.W Anderson x Aldo loafer- sneaker ('loaker') ones are unique but I don't see many people will carry that off aside from the superbly stylish and everything-goes Susie Bubble).

I digress, however. This season two of my favorite labels have been churning out beautiful men's shoes that are both experimental in and are hybrid of some sort...

First up are these shoes from the more directional line of Burberry, Burberry Prorsum. The weaving detail on the upper is just simply beautiful and I cannot express more about how I love the cork detail of the sides of the soles. Too much design? More is more I say, in this case (Am I sounding too much like Kimora Lee Simmons here?)








 

Ethnic prints on a shirt

These few seasons I have been fascinated by how ethnic prints have made their way into designers' collections. Edited cleverly these oftenly overwhelming prints can be very stunning and interesting to be worn. Who says cultural-inspired themes are ought to be donned at mundane weddings and sterile government-related occasions only? I believe the idea of a man wearing prints is not a stuffy or even feminine one at all.

Whimsical trend - boxer shorts over pants + Dries Van Noten SS10

This is yet another addition to my sparse (or only one, may I say) whimsical trend entry. Today I decided to experiment with wearing a pair of boxer shorts over the pants. I actually bought the boxers from GAP because mainly I'm attracted to what I think resembles the ikat print which reminds me of Dries Van Noten's SS2010 collection (among my favourite collection from the designer so far). At RM45 a pop I think it is rather pricey for a cotton undergarment, but I feel that it is somehow justified by its vivid and interesting graphic.

 I could imagine this outfit worn at fun night-outs with friends, or, given its sleep-wear influence, can be perhaps worn to a chill movie night that might end with pillow talk hahaha! I know that it's quite impractical to wear boxer shorts over pants but in this case I opted to layer them up on a pair of breezy, lightweight harem pants from Topshop (another d'ohhh moment to add to my diary - I acquired them full-priced but to find the cost halved two months later with its stock in abundance at Topshops all around KL). Perhaps this can provide an alternative to shorts-over-leggings trend that has seen its share the past two seasons?

I am wearing thrift shirt, Gap boxer shorts, Topshop harem pants, Lanvin clogs, Muji socks, eBay glasses, Swatch watch

Stuck in a rut

My blog is turning into one of those half-assed blogs which only post entries in average of ONCE a month. Am truly sorry for that. It's that same old excuse (work work work) which hinders me from mustering the spirit of a true blogger and providing at least some credible info for you guys. I'm putting the blame on this Obstetrics and Gynecology rotation which forces me to do every-other-day calls draining my much needed energy and enthusiasm, thank you very much.

Anyways, let me make it up for ya with pics from my not-so-recent vacation to Singapore. The purpose of the trip was an all-rounded one consisting of giving moral support to our high school orchestra team which took part for the wind orchestra competition at Singapore's Republic Polytechnic, shopping and lots of shopping. (well i wouldn't say shopping and seeing your school band perform is exactly an all-rounded trip but at times where life is not as carefree as it used to be all little things would matter). It was also a shame that I couldn't get the opportunity to re-unite with fellow blogger Dinie Rahman, which was part of the agenda, due to a very inconvenient date that I chose for this trip which did not really match his itinerary...

On a brighter note the trip was also the perfect platform for a bit of out-of-the-hospital dress up and style experimenting which I rarely get nowadays. All in all it was a helluva experience (which includes a fair amount of sight-seeing, being a bit touristy and driving straight from Johor Bahru and getting back straight to work for on call that morning itself!)

I especially love the Raffles Hotel which exudes the elegance of colonial architecture - looks like our neighbor did a pretty darn good job in preserving historical sites. This is the place where the multi-label store Front Row is. I did not buy anything from there even though I contemplated hard about purchasing the Doc Martens x Raf Simons collaboration gold and bronze patented shoes which were on sale.

I was wearing Ann Demeulemeester soft cotton tunic, German army pants from Amsterdam, Topshop pleated clutch, Zara patent lace-ups

This trip also revolved around Johor Bahru as well, as we stayed at Selesa hotel in JB (gone were the days of overspending for accommodation). A night out eating steamboat at this place the name of which I can't recall (the forgetful me needs a reminder from you) near the clock tower. JB at night was a dead town but there was a little spark of fun near the Malay quarter, especially at 'Pasar Karat' where old music from the P. Ramlee era was playing loud on the streets...

As usual the mindset is to trawl through Orchard Road at night, and the next day for last minute shopping as well. Lucky us Singapore was in the midst of having their Mega Sale. This was the perfect opportunity to grab some real bargains (50% off Lanvin clog shoes, 70% off Yohji Yamamoto print t-shirt) at Club 21 stores which is basically non-existent at the Malaysian branches.

I was wearing a thrifted jumper, Topshop print trousers, CK Calvin Klein perforated booties

We spent the last night  at Orchard Road luxury shop window-gazing. It was VERY late at night and were the only ones practically there (besides a couple of drunkards). This Hermes scarf is literally an art. I looove the intricacy of details on scarves like this.

I was particularly amazed at this 'Kelly En Perles' scarf with it almost 3D-like quality of beads / pearls print. I almost wanted to get my grubby mitts on it (unfortunately there was a glass in between us obviously)

TOD's new branch open at Paragorn (another gigantic mall with gigantic luxury labels - Gucci alone is THREE storeys high!)

And last but not least my outfit when we saw our school perform at Republic Polytechnic. It was a great day filled with music, fun and good friends...

I was wearing Zara blazer, Dries Van Noten soft cotton shirt, thrifted belt worn as necklace, U2 trousers, Adidas Originals boat shoes.

Oh yes, and a very Happy Merdeka Day!