My Shopping Conquest #121

Below: Spring Summer 2011 is a 'belt tightening' season!

Belts Ahoy! Spring Summer 2011 Is 'Belt Tightening' Season...

Belts are often one of the most overlooked clothing item on a guy. And no, not all belts work magic and fit all looks. Belts are as equally important as all your other wardrobe pieces (the belt is worn at a strategic position of your body, very visible!). Besides serving a functional purpose of preventing you from indecent exposé (trousers falling down!), it is a fun item that lets you enhance your personality or add depth to an outfit. Forget logo belts (those are for occasional flaunting of your swelling bank account), wear belts that takes on the season's trend or expresses a certain mood you are feeling.

This Spring Summer 2011, I am feeling all the colour blocking craze seen on all levels of fashion. I am also dreaming of setting sails to the high seas, just in time for summer! So here's my latest acquisition for this 'Belt Tightening' SS2011 season:
1) Zara Narrow Yellow Leather Belt – SGD59.90
(Comes in red, orange and blue as well, most affordable colour blocking! Get all colours to mix & match)

2) Jil Sander Orange Red Textured Leather – SGD390
(The red is almost neon!)

3) ASOS Brass Anchor Buckle Leather Belt – £15
(I love anchor motifs)

4) ASOS Twisted Rope Belt – £15
(Sailing chic, where's my yacht?!?)

What are your 'belt tightening' finds this season?

Zara available at all Zara Boutiques. Jil Sander available at Club 21 Mens, Four Seasons Hotel. ASOS available at www.asos.com

Source: myMANybags

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #160

Below: Zara's website has now a dedicated Street style section showcasing real people wearing Zara! Love this new source of inspiration:-P Colours are in the spotlight right now...

Below: Boys and girls can all play with colours for SS2011!

Real People Inspirations: Zara Street Styles

Fashion runway shows served as inspirations for ongoing trends and new ideas. But when it comes to actually purchasing the pieces to create the looks, not many regular folks can fork up those huge price tags. Fortunately, fast fashion chains like Zara and Topshop is here to save the day! Thanks to them, fashion fans all over the world can enjoy personal expression of style without breaking the bank.

I am sure at some point in time, each and every one of us (who loves fashion) will own something from Zara. It's the go to place for trend-forward pieces at more 'humanly attainable' prices. Zara has recognised their indispensable status in many wardrobes around the world and created a dedicated Streetstyle section (Titled 'PEOPLE!') on their website! (Click here)

It's about time:-) Another source of fashion inspiration! After browsing, I spotted these great looks on real people wearing Zara. How about some colour inspiration for today? Let's all wear some colours this summer, from red to orange to green and fuchsia. Be happy, be bold, be on cue for warmer days!

More Zara streetstyle looks on my facebook fanpage. Enjoy! (Remember to 'Like' my Facebook fan page if you like my post:-P)

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Want to see yourself featured on Zara's website and be rewarded with €300? Here's how:-P

Source: Zara

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #206

Below: Colour block with Zara this March! Love this yellow V-neck sweater!

Below: Yves Klein blue anyone?

Below: Accent your outfits with some colours! Green sweater... I want too!

Colour Blocking With Zara

You have to give credit to fast fashion chains for catching on each season's hottest trends as soon as the demand creates it. For March, Zara offers a lookbook filled with promising pieces just in time to let guys colour block their way thru Spring Summer 2011, ala Jil Sander and Prada style.

Love all those coloured cotton V-neck sweaters and jeans in yellow, green and blue. Of course, the colour Yves Klein blue (which I 'trendspotted' on my blog yesterday) which lends a strong accent to any outfits for summer! Colour colour colour, if you have been 'colour blind' in your wardrobe for the longest time, Zara is a great start to stock up on strong hues this season.

I need that Yves Klein Blue and yellow sweater, that red jeans and those coloured belts! Zara shopping is impending this weekend.

More pics on my Facebook fanpage here.

Source: Zara

The Material Boy #444

Below: Coloured jeans are a great way to get on the colour blocking trend for Spring Summer 2011. Shown below are Zara's SS2011 lookbook featuring coloured jeans from orange to yellow to reds (SGD 89.90)! I love this first look with a light blue stripe L/S sweater... Nautical colour blocking?

Below: Notice the colourful bandana on his wrist? Use your colourful Hermès twilly for the same but more luxurious effect!

Below: Topman has nice colours and the most flattering slim cuts too! Prices from USD80...

Coloured Jeans And Pants For Spring Summer 2011

Time to welcome colours into your wardrobe. Colour blocking is a must for this Spring Summer 2011 season, be it for boys or girls:-)

I am now crazy and 'craving' some coloured jeans/pants, the brighter the better. Need to have that extra visual zest for summer's dressing.

Who else to turn to for slim fitted mens coloured jeans than our most affable and affordable Zara and Topman! At least these fast fashion brands are quick to latch onto the colour frenzy this summer (all thanks to Jil Sander and Prada SS2011!). Shame on those mens brands that shy away from colour and keeps men clad in just the usual dull tones. Boring!

Wear them with basics, rolled up the helm (for a more upbeat look)...let the colours come forth to enhance your style quotient. Wear with trainers or lace-ups... anything goes! I want an orange pair!

Priced from SGD 89.90 onwards, these Zara and Topman coloured jeans/pants gets u ahead of the fashion curve, excite your summer wardrobe while safely keeping your bank account intact. There can be no better win win situation. Of course, if you have a bigger budget, go for the real high fashion versions from Jil Sander (they are gorgeously neon and not for the faint hearted). But I'd stick to my fast fashion ones.

Need to hunt these down!

Source: Zara, Topman

Gender Bender #62

Below: I love these Zara Spring Summer 2011 Narrow Leg Studio Trousers in some of the brightest and most stunning hues! Love this orange coloured version as modelled by one of my favourite models, Stella Tennant...

Below: I'd take one in each colour since the price of SGD89.90 is very affordable!

Below: I may even wear the pink one for some statement making moments...

Zara Narrow Leg Studio Trousers

I will have one pair in each of these stunning colours! Having tried and worn Zara's Narrow Leg Studio Trousers (my khaki coloured version goes with anything.. see my outfit pic from last Saturday)... I want these new Spring Summer 2011 versions. Although made for women, they fit the best for a slim guy like me. Roll the hem up and you got a preppy casual look in fabulous hues you can never find in mens collection. (Unless you count Jil Sander men's pricey versions... or Uniqlo ill fitting ones (at least to me)...

Below These may be women's trousers, but the cut is great for slim guys like myself... I own a Khaki coloured pair and I loved it, very comfy and not as tight as many may think! Rolled up the hem for a preppy casual look... (I am wearing a McQ Argyle Checks Cardigan Shirt, D&G Red Patent Leather Belt, Zara Khaki Trousers, Paul Smith Flower Embroidery Espadrilles, Céline Faux Python Bi-colour Leather Cabas with Gucci Racoon Tail Bag Charm)

Priced at only SGD$89.90... you cannot beat that price to get into the strong colour blocking trend for this new season. Especially love the orange pair! Need that!

Source: Zara

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #136

Below: It's time to take a hike! Let's do some 'urban mall mountaineering' with these fabulous hiking boots! (we do scale new heights when it comes to multi level exploration of retail stores in mega malls!)

Take A Hike, Boys! – Fall Winter 2010 Hiking Boots

Ever since I saw the pic below from The Sartorialist, I am on the lookout for hiking style boots that will achieved an urban adventurer look. Country ensembles are also gaining momentum this Fall Winter 2010 season, so these mountain trekking footwear are a must have! Italian guys have even worn hiking boots with suits for fall season which adds an unexpected twist to these outdoor shoes. Talk about being 'creative':-P (See pic below). I love it!

Below: Check out this guy below pairing what is supposed to be formal wear with footwear that was always thought to belong to the outdoors! Interesting!

Something that is in line with the boots trend for this Fall Winter season and yet has a rugged look to tread thru the 'shopping' terrains of Tokyo and Hokkaido! (I am headed to Japan in Dec! Yay!) Something that will allow me to achieve the look! I have everything already from the pic, from the military green overcoat, to the stripe t-shirt (Zara!) to the skinny white jeans, all I need now are those hiking style boots:-P

Here's some options I have gathered, from Bally to Dolce & Gabbana to Paul Smith... but I am loving the Zara ones the most. Since I love the price tag to be expected for Zara's version (SGD 199 and 229 for the top and bottom one respectively:-P) Ultimately, I intend to invest as little on winter gear and as much as I can on Tokyo shopping!:-) Call it my 'smart shopping' budgeting!:-)

Anyone else for hiking boots:-P?

Source: Bally, John Richmond, Dolce & Gabbana, Zara, Paul Smith

Zara vs. Balmain Fall Winter 2010 Mens

Below: Balmain on a budget? Zara's Balmain inspired military insignia navy blazer (Special edition)...

Below: Zara's version and Balmain's version... See below...

Below: The ultra gorgeous Balmain Homme version from Fall Winter 2010..

Below: It's a 'special edition' from Zara...

Below: With gold buttons and even the military insignia...

Below: Or this navy stripe destroyed tee from Zara which resembles Balmain's real deal (see below)...

Below: Comes with military insignias and elbow patches...

Below: The real deal from Balmain...

Balmain Homme Fall Winter 2010 Mens On A Budget...

Balmain looks must be one of the most most copied brands for fast fashion brands such as H&M and Zara. Being street inspired, Balmain looks are easy to replicate. Bad news for Balmain, good news for consumers... since Balmain pieces costs an arm and leg any day.

I spotted these Zara pieces which closely resembles Balmain Homme's Fall Winter 2010 mens collection. A navy double breasted jacket that has been on my 'want' list for many months...but I cannot seem to justify paying that exorbitant amount of £1,888 (approx. SGD3910) for a winter coat. Zara is here to save the day! Their 'inspired' version is crafted in jersey material and comes with all the gold buttons and even the military insignia (except Zara's on the upper arm while Balmain's is featured on the lower arm). It's more than 20 times less of Balmain Homme's price at SGD179.

And if you like the destroyed navy stripe tee by Balmain Homme... Zara again has a long sleeve tee that is almost 80% like the real deal. Except it comes with military insignia on both upper arms and features elbow patches. What makes the most difference is the pricing of Zara's SGD59.90 vs. Balmain Homme's approx. SGD550.

So what will you choose? I got both... in Zara:-P Of course, Balmain Homme's version is far superior in quality and craftsmanship. But if you just want to get into the trend...Zara will suffice for the moment:-)

Source: Balmain, myMANybags

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #157

Below: Zara Fall Winter 2010 (September) Lookbook... love this military style parade coat which seems to spin out of the Burberry Fall Winter 2010 runway...

Below: Burberry Fall Winter 2010 runway...gorgeous khaki green colour worn over denim shirt and shearling boots...

Below: Me trying out Zara's version. Lots of nice detailing, including the collar buckle, rows of brass buttons on the sleeves and front. The cut is slim fitted, made of compact wool and very warm. It feels like you are wrapped in a blanket! But of course, very heavy...

Below: Buttoned up..

Below: In the end, I decided not to purchase the coat, simply too heavy and it adds too much weight to any luggage... But if you live in temperate countries, this coat is worth the investment of SGD399... great price!

Below: I love this cropped 'trench coat' style military jacket (SGD229)... it's mine! Yes!

Below: Asymmetric oversized collar for these 2 winter coats... one long version (SGD399) and one cropped...

Below: Interesting collar for this cropped version (SGD259), looks good on the model...

Below: But the jacket looked weird on me... I simply cannot pull off this strange collar design and it is very short for my body. Seems you also have to button up all the time to make the collar design prominent:-P

Below: Scoop neck sweater is fabulous for layering... Love this simple look.

Below: Suited look contrast with boots are a major styling trend... think Balmain Homme...

Below: Cosy cardigan... furry wooly comfy...

Below: Shawl collar cardigan with ethnic print...

Below: Shawl collar cardigan in chunky knit...

Zara Fall Winter 2010 (September) Lookbook

Dun you love Zara for churning out runway inspired looks at a fraction of the price. Fashion made accessible to more people. Power to the people for showing their style.

I love the September lookbook for Zara. Incredible pieces to be had, such as the Burberry Prorsum Inspired Military Parade Coat with brass buttons. A fabulous coat reminiscent of an army officer, very luxe and sharp tailoring. Love all the detailing, from the double breasted design, brass buttons and collar buckle. The olive green is also my favourite shade of the season.

Unfortunately, I did not get the coat as it is very heavy. Living in a tropical climate, I cannot get good mileage from the coat and I do not foresee myself wanting to carry all that weight while travelling. I rather free up my luggage for more shopping when abroad:-P

Other than this coat, there are also asymmetrical collar long coat and cropped jackets which caught my eye. But the odd collar design overwhelms me and I find it hard to pull off.

Looking forward to check out more Zara pieces... winter wardrobe shopping is simply fun!

Source: Burberry Prorsum, Zara