Style SOS: Filipiniana Attire

Hi Tin,

I'm going to attend a seminar in Rome for a month. I later on found out that there will be an "International Day" of sorts and the participants must wear native costumes. I don't have a clue about what to wear and where to get it. The Imelda dress (I don't know what it's called) was what I had in mind at first but my friend thinks it's over the top. The guys will wear barong. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Che

Hi Che! Thanks for your question! =)

My sister seems to agree with your friend's opinion, because as one of the "hermanas", she had to wear this during our town's Flores de Mayo celebration last month:


But personally, I think our traditional Filipiniana terno with butterfly sleeves is such a beautiful article of clothing that will certainly draw raves from your international colleagues! It is such a shame if you decide not to wear one!



If you could get your hands on a Joe Salazar, Pitoy Moreno or a Patis Tesoro terno (borrow one if you have to!), that would be the best!

I am not entirely sure if ternos are available off-the-rack, as they are usually tailor made, and should fit you snugly. You can always have a terno made, and it will range from as low as Php1,500 to as high as Php100,000 depending on the fabric used (ternos made of pina fiber will of course cost more, starting at at least Php20,000). My mom is from Laguna and I know for a fact that you can have ternos made for as low as Php2,000, including beadwork and handpainted flowers! Of course, the more fabric used, the more expensive it gets!



Should you decide not to wear a terno, you can wear a "modern" baro't saya instead! As Raisa mentioned, you can just wear a plain gown, or say a black skirt, and pair it with a baro made of jusi or pina! These you can buy in the Filipiniana section of Rustans or SM. Check out Balikbayan Handicrafts and Quiapo too!



You can then accessorize with a tambourine necklace and matching "payneta" and earrings if you'd like!


Of course, you may also consider wearing a "tribal" inspired costume...


Or a modern version of the terno as interpreted by London-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo!


Really, there are plenty of options for us Filipinas. So thank you Che for making the effort to dress up and for thinking hard about what you should be wearing in Rome! Thanks for representing the Philippines! Whatever Filipiniana dress you decide to wear, I am sure you will make our countrymen proud!

(Photo credits: manilastandard.com, barongatsaya.com)

Seven Songs of Spring

I've been tagged by Vanessa of Stopping to Eat the Roses, she of the colorfully documented life stories that never fail to keep me enthralled. But unlike typical online tag games, this one is all about my 7 Songs of Spring: What I'm Listening To Right Now. Basically, I have to:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs.

While I have illusions of coming across as highly sophisticated with an ear for mind-blowing music, I am warning you that my general taste in music is quite pedestrian, sitting comfortably within the borders of the pop-y commercial side. Without wasting words, let's just say I am not known for my taste in music. But hey, this is me and this is what I like =)

1. Charmed Life by Leigh Nash - Blame it on Uptown Girls! When I heard this frothy confection of a song, I just felt like this pretty much sums up the soundtrack of my existence. Yes, now you know why I am shallow. But I'm really deep. Really.
2. It Had to Be You by Michael Buble - I wish I can say I sought this song out by myself, but this was actually influenced by Dear Hubby's taste in music and it's a song I can't get out of my head these days. That being said, next up is...
3. Can't Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue - I've always been a Kylie fan! And this is my favorite! Never gets old! Evah!
4. New Soul by Yael Naim - Hey, I like girl-y songs. I can't help it!
5. The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson - Another catchy ditty I got from watching too much TV, yes including the commercials in between shows!
6. Love Song by Sarah Bareilles - Yet another catchy song! Makes me want to bob my head sideways and tap my feet and snap my fingers...heehee!
7. Tide is High by Atomic Kitten - This will always be in my playlist! Because I will always love Atomic Kitten! Meow!

So yeah, these are my top 7 songs for Spring! I pretty much get addicted to the songs of my youth and have trouble moving on to newer songs. Now I know why the oldies can't stop listening to the Beegees, the Beatles and Elvis. I'll probably be 50 and squeal whenever I hear a Kylie or Atomic Kitten song and make my kids squirm with embarassment...

Hmmm, maybe I should be listening to Amy Winehouse sing Rehab for a change!

Now I'm curious, what sort of songs do my favorite journalists/writers/bloggers listen to? So I'm tagging The Baghag, Bambina of Bambina Writes and Cecile of Chuvaness. I hope they're game!

Style SOS: Comfortable Casual/Corporate Clothing

Hi Christine =)

I'm a 25 year old girl living in Manila working in production. I'm used to wearing jeans, tees and flippies or rubber shoes because of the nature of my work. Once in awhile I attend meetings with higher ops or with clients but most of the time I'm running around during shoots which explains my attire. I also commute to and from work.

Thing is, I know I need to expand my wardrobe. I have casual clothes for work or business attire clothes (slacks, blouses and heels) which dont translate for good production clothes. I need to find clothes that are in between. Do you have suggestions for outfits that can cross over for meetings (can be smart casual?) and shoots? They need to be comfortable enough to run around and commute in but presentable enough for meetings. The compromise I've been doing is bringing either another pair of shoes or another set of clothes and change which isn't practical.

Oh, I'm pretty slim but pear shaped....Hope you can help me out =) I know you're familiar with our hot/cold weather and together with your love for fashion I'm hoping you can help me out. =)

Thanks!
Anna

Hi Anna! So sorry for this super late post! But there's still lots of time to shop right?

Anyway, given your work in production, I thought of having no less than Sofia Coppola as our style inspiration. More than Marc Jacobs's muse, she is an accomplished director and actress! Whether she's behind the camera or out on the streets, she dresses up for comfort, but with an eye for style:

On the set of Lost in Translation


At an event


Vacationing in Paris



With the above images in mind, I've put together pieces that will go from the field to the boardroom in a snap!

Let's build your wardrobe with a foundation of cropped pants such as these...



I find cropped pants to be highly verstaile as they are very comfortable to wear, but can still look "office appropriate", especially when worn with button down shirts...




Some might argue that wearing button down shirts aren't as comfortable as tees, but trust me on this one, if they are made of cotton or linen, they will still look good even when rumpled! They also look more "presko" and I just love how it can go from the set to headquarters for meetings! Choose a dark color so that wrinkles and stains won't be as evident!

If you are not the type to wear button down shirts, then wear a knit cardigan over a tank top, t-shirt or a pretty blouse. It will still look presentable for meetings with the higher-ups!





You can then accessorize with flats (a Sofia Coppola wardrobe staple!), cuffs, bangles, and scarves (to protect you from sun & wind) for a chic look that still means business!








These are all pretty basic pieces that won't cost you an arm and a leg, and won't attract stares from your fellow commuters! Hope this helps! =)

(Photo credits: gap.com, imdb.com, nytimes.com)

I.Want.This!

I tried on this Mango army jacket 2 weeks ago and I am just itching to buy it! The thought of leaving Manila without it is giving me the heebie jeebies! I plan to wear it with skinny jeans and Converse sneakers, a dress and gladiator sandals, wide leg jeans and chunky wedges...the idea of all these outfits gets me squirming with glee!

Ah yes, shallow me!

Style SOS: What to Wear to Fashion Week

Dear MFO,

I am attending my first Philippine Fashion Week ever in my entire life and I have no idea on what to wear! Can you help me out??? Thanks.

Love, Helga Coutura...

Super sorry for this delayed post Helga! Lots of things happening lately, especially since I'm here in Manila for a limited time and it has been a whirlwind of meetings and get-togethers! At the back of my mind, I know that I have posts waiting to be published and the OC in me just can't shake it off. Given the time frame of your query, I just have to do it now, finally! Before Philippine Fashion week draws to a close! To my dear readers, let me attend to this question first and I promise to edit & publish other Style SOS answers soon!

Ok, so here it goes Helga! Philippine Fashion Week's dress code is semi-formal. While that can mean anything these days, what matters is you are dressed comfortably! True, Fashion Week evokes images of glamour and flashing bulbs, but it also means having to elbow your way amongst throngs of Fashion Week habitues. It means sitting throughout all the shows (if you are the patient, eager type who wouldn't dare miss a thing lest you tap out on this week's breakthrough designer/silhouette or something) and having to deal with photographers asking you to get out of their way so they can get a better shot of a gown's intricate beading or somebody (they deem) camera-worthy. Then again, dressing up for Fashion Week requires you to put in a little effort, because while all the action is (supposedly) on the catwalk, we all know that fashion folks enjoy sizing up each other no?

Ahhh, so given this sort of challenge, what does one wear to Fashion Week? First, some basic ground rules:

1. Try to wear something from the designer whose show you are attending...
2. Have fun!

That being said, stay true to who you are and wear the sort of clothes you feel comfortable wearing! If you feel your best in dresses then by all means wear a dress! If you like wearing pants, then go ahead and wear pants (in this season's wide leg style or the pleated, tapered and folded sort that I like!)! No hard and fast rules here, as long as you look decent!

I've compiled a couple of looks from JakandJil.com, my go to site for Fashion Week Style! Use it as an inspiration board and you definitely won't go wrong having Vogue editors, models and fashion executives point you to the right path!






When all else fails, wear everything in black! =)