Hot & humid weather = T-shirt & jeans? How to break the cycle

How do you cope with the recent hot & humid weather? (global warming is upon us). Many have lamented about the sad state of affairs of what men wear in Singapore. Well, global warming isn't helping us in this respect.

I have pretty much given up, and wear T-shirt and jeans almost everyday. And I'm one of the lucky few who don't need to wear long sleeve shirts and pants. But how do you fight the weather (a.k.a. break the cycle of wearing T-shirts everyday?)

Look for the collar

• a well-fitting polo T-shirt will almost always look more smart, and more mature; do consider one with "dri-fit" material for better breathability
• rugby jersey-styled collars always look good; do wash them well, as most of them come in white collars
  

Don't forget your accessories

• wear a belt; go for a different colour; use it as a style tool, not just to hold up your pants
  
• backpacks are for school; they also make sweat accumulate at your back; sling/messenger bags have been in fashion since Crumpler made such bags cool enough to wear with office attire.
  
• the more adventurous can also consider jewellery, e.g. chain necklaces or bracelets
  

Material world & colour

• corduroy makes a stylish alternative to jeans
• also consider those G2000 casual pants; versatile enough with a dress shirt or a T-shirt
• the daring can try coloured jeans, but keep the bright colours to one piece (e.g. avoid a bright colour shirt with bright colour jeans)
  

Run away from running shoes

• most running shoes are not stylish enough for streetwear, although there are some exceptions
  
• classic sneakers have been popular since the adidas superstars made them cool. converse chuck taylors are evergreen; my favorites are retro white sneakers; they go with almost any attire
  
• or consider a leather casual (slip-on, chelsea boot, desert boot etc)

Layering is still possible (but indoors)

• cardigans, hoodies, and retro track jackets are still possible indoors where there is air-con; in fact, most air-con in Singapore are too cold, so these are maybe more a necessity than an option
  

The final (brown) jigsaw piece?

Went shoe shopping today.

The Bata store at Peninsular is one of the bigger Bata branches, and I managed to find 2 suitable "candidates". But their price (on the wrong side of S$100) blew me away.

Next was Aldo. I liked this, the Jakubowski.

Price? Supposed to be on sale for S$122. Went to Robinsons to take a quick look too.

I then went to Suntec to visit Hush Puppies, Tracce, Everbest, and Clarks. Passed by BeetleBug and Pedro in Citylink. Not suitable shoes spotted. Maybe I'll try the Clarks store in Ion Orchard, but I think I've pretty much exhausted my options.

A strange (grey) twist in the tale

Another torrid heaty day. Another long (lots of walking) shopping day.

But I finally bought something. But it was not what I was expecting. After going through circles and circles of suit shopping, I had given up, and wanted to try something leftfield.

But the more I thought about a black cardigan look, the more I was concerned that I would look under-attired. So I went to Raffles City with some doubt as to what I would eventually get.

After a few rounds of seeing the same outfits in the same shops (ala last weekend), I decided to get a grey blazer instead and pair it with perhaps black pants and a black tie.

Saw a few grey blazers before I settled on one from G2000. Now to try out a few colour combos to see which one will work. I may still have to grab a nice pair of shoes from now till Saturday to complete the look...

p.s. above is a quick screen-grab from the G2000 website. Actual blazer I bought has a peaked lapel, and has fine pinstripes.

Alteration of plans?

3 articles on suit alterations in Singapore.
Altered to Suit - What to look for when buying a suit and how to get alterations done
3 myths your Singapore bespoke tailor doesn't want you to know
Snip Tuck

And one tailor spotted right in Sengkang.
http://hotailor.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, I'm contemplating going a leftfield route. Thinking of a black cardigan and black tie combo instead of a grey suit.


Missing ingredients; a black cardigan, black tie (maybe skinny), and nice black shoes. More items, but more versatile than a suit for casual wear.

So I went shopping again today. Saw one example in Topman, but it was selling at S$70. Went by Muji and another example selling for the same price, but it was a mesh material (not solid enough). Finally found a good example at Centrepoint (the new Basic House brand), but it was in a Navy blue colour.

Alarm bells are ringing...

p.s. couldn't find a black cardigan at the following stores
Bossini
Fox
G2000
Giordano
Uniqlo

Suit shopping is tough

Part 2 of my search for a suit (see Part 1 below).

Slept through most of Saturday, so only managed to go shopping today. Tried out a few suits at Topman and Zara, but couldn't really find "the one".

Either the material/colour is a bit "off", or the fit is not 100% right. Maybe I'm too harsh on a off-the-rack suit. Got really tired in the end, and went home empty-handed.

Time is running out...

Grey suit, black shirt, dark-brown shoes?

My company annual dinner is coming up soon, and I'm once again fretting over what to wear.

After last year's cop-out (I used existing separates in my wardrobe), I'm keen to get a proper suit this year. But no black suits please.

I'm considering the above combo, and have been window shopping around to find a suitable buy. Managed to see a few suitable grey suits at Zara, Topshop, and Robinsons (a new brand from Korea called Mind Bridge).

The search continues this weekend. Still wondering if I should blow up to S$300 on an outfit that I'll probably end up wearing only once a year (or even less, if I don't want to wear the same suit every year). Our hot & humid weather isn't exactly suitable for wearing suits too...

Postscript (29 April 2010): something like this? Looks nice, but I wonder what tie to wear with a black shirt...

GQ Guide to Dressing on a Budget

GQ.com

"25 rules that will make you a better-dressed, more cost-conscious man..."

Nice suggestions by GQ. Too bad J.Crew and H&M aren't available in Singapore.

Problems afoot

I was "stuck" with a $50 shopping voucher recently. After months of procrastination, I finally purchased something just a few days before expiry.

After hovering around the shoe department, I finally bought a pair of retro sneakers (Nike Tennis Classic CL Pack). With the limited range of footwear at that store, I was going to use the vouchers on a pair of Adidas Country sneakers, when I spotted the Nikes selling for a lower price. My target requirements were (leather; casual; affordable), and they seemed to fit the bill.

Unfortunately, after a few weeks of wearing them, they remained uncomfortable to wear. The thick sole (first thought to provide cushioning) ended up giving me pain in the ankles and knees. My $30 Bata shoes in contrast was comfortable even though it had a thinner sole.

Now nearly 3 months in, the situation has improved, to the extent that I can tolerate a day's worth of wear.

But I'm already looking to the next purchase, perhaps a pair of Desert boots or maybe Chelsea boots.

New kids on the block

This blog has been dormant since September. The curse of the "blog post in draft mode" refuses to go away.

In the meantime, here are a couple of men's fashion websites I've come across recently, for your internet surfing (read: time-eating) pleasure.

Men's fashion portion of the New York Times Style magazine
manshion.
Style section of GQ
magnificent bastard
men's fashion section of Guardian newspaper
Off The Cuff
Permanent Style
Style Savage

Some of them have been placed on the "blog list" on the right part of this blog. The timestamping feature makes it easy to know when a particular website is updated.

And a nice one to cap it off.
The Sartorialist

(p.s. I sent in a request a while ago to NLB to recommend the book that Scott Schuman launched recently. It was approved, and you can now find it in several library branches)

Saipan Black

Shoes | CHROME | Official Site


Just discovered that Chrome, the company that makes messenger bags, now offers a shoe range too. My pick of the range is the Saipan, a Converse All-Star wannabe, but with enough different details to stand out. The red on black look is killer too. And just look at the sole below.

Pleasantly distracted

Note: This is not a blog post on men's fashion. (hence the "distraction" title)

I mentioned this to my friends a while ago (more than a month ago, I think).

I've been noticing these 2 fashion trends among women
.

The Dress

I've seen so many women wearing dresses recently. Perhaps its a return to being feminine. A subset of this "dress" trend is the belt as an accessory to the dress. I think it works for some dresses, as it helps to "break" the dress visually, and also providing a splash of contrasting colour.

The High heels
The other trend is the high heels (3-inch onwards). And the highlight doesn't just stop at the height; I see more & more daring designs and colours on these high heels.

A "deadly" combo
When a lady combines both trends (dress + heels), its a deadly combo. Some manage to carry the look without looking too out of place in a MRT train, with just the right amount of class to make a "grand" entrance when the train doors slide open. :)

Bag the big prize?

A remark by a friend got me thinking; was my messenger bag due for "retirement"? A quick search of my other blog revealed that the bag was already 4 years old. Sure, it's still going strong, without major tears, and is super versatile. But getting another bag (perhaps more formal-looking) to alternate is tempting...

One recent trend that I've been noting is the tote. More men are carrying this bag once confined for women. I have to say that most tote bags specifically designed for men are not that functional. The nice-looking designs tend to be square in profile, which means your stuff goes into a "Grand Canyon", and fishing things out from your bag could take quite some effort.



I suppose the change in profile is part of an attempt to differentiate from a typical women's tote bag, so that a guy looks metrosexual, and not girly with a tote.

So what next? I'm slowly gravitating to a leather duffle or messenger bag...

The Dos And Don'ts Of Sneakers

AskMen.com

Some useful tips on how to choose (and wear) sneakers without committing a fashion faux pas. After recently getting sore feet after a day of wearing a pair of leather slip-ons (Renoma driving mocs, if you must know), I've been wearing sneakers almost everyday. Is it really so hard to find a comfortable pair of leather shoes? My previous pair of Hush Puppies were comfy (while they lasted). I heard there's a Bata sale going on at Tiong Bahru Plaza; maybe I'll visit to see see look look...

(p.s. sneakers above - Converse Monadnock Military Mid)

update: 8 August 2009 - p.p.s. Bata Warehouse Sale at Tiong Bahru Plaza wasn't very good. In and out in less than 5 minutes...

6 Ways To Wear A T-Shirt

AskMen.com
Apt info in the link above on T-shirts, as the relentless heat-wave continues here in Singapore. I'm really lucky to be able to wear T-shirts to work (everyday); pity those who have to wear their long-sleeve shirts and ties... Interested in the long-sleeved T-shirts by Uniqlo, S$19.90; I should visit them soon.

Business Casual

GQ: Project Upgrade

What's business casual in the US still seems a bit formal; I think very few men in Singapore (besides bankers) wear a suit or blazer to work regularly. Still a nice video though, with some nice ideas. I like the casual-looking belt. And khakis always helps you to stand out from the crowd of blank pants. :)

Black pants = Boring?

While standing in a crowded MRT train on the way to work, close your eyes and imagine your hand pointing to a random direction. Open your eyes in that direction and you will very likely see someone who is wearing black pants.

Boring? Well, yes and no.

Yes, if it's not well-fitted or has a texture that is either too shiny/too dull.

No, if you pay a bit more attention to details. What do I mean by well-fitted? For a start, the pants should not be too tight or too loose. Next, the pants should be worn at the waist.

But besides the above, there are a lot of variance you can inject into the classic black pants. Pinstripes are cool, and make your black pants stand out from the rest. There are also shades of black to try. Pockets are another area. Some pants use a front pocket design more akin to a jeans pocket. Do note that having a similar design on the back pocket immediately makes the pants into a casual pair of slacks.

While we're at pockets, try not to put too much stuff in the pockets. Beware of thick wallets (clear the junk) and big handphones. Also, remember to iron your pants properly (get the seams right) before wearing them.

And avoid pleats like the plague. Go for flat-fronted pants.

Dress code: Lounge Suit - What to wear?

The easy way out to "deal" with a lounge suit dress code is to wear a black or dark grey suit.

The easy way out is "out" for me. One, because I don't have an existing suit (any colour). Two, I don't really want to wear a "boring" dark colour suit.

Hold on a second. There are ways and means to vary a dark suit, so that it's a bit different, for example, wearing a dark shirt beneath the suit, or going for a pinstripe pattern. Or maybe wearing a slim leather tie.

But since I don't wear suits everyday (or every month), I'm not exactly relishing the thought of buying a suit just for such an occasion. I do have a dark blazer bought in Thailand a few years ago, but that is my backup plan. (in case I can't find the time to shop for alternatives)

By the way, the occasion is this Saturday, so I don't have much time to play with...

Do you need to buy that? Or do you have something similar already?

Warning: blog post that follows is only semi-related to men's fashion.

Previous posts have seen me talking about my search for the next purchase, either shoes, pants, or a watch. But maybe I should consider carefully before I spend money on another new purchase...

About a week ago, my mum showed me a pair of jeans, telling me to wear it (and try not to keep wearing the same clothes in my wardrobe).

I was in my usual nonchalant mood, and dismissive too, telling her that it probably was a hand-me-down from a relative, and that it looked too small to fit.

I ended up wearing it to work the very next day.

Lessons learned? Quite a few

• I should look at my wardrobe to see if I'm forgetting to wear clothes that I have, but haven't been wearing
  
• Being yourself at home doesn't mean I need to be caustic

By the way, the pair of jeans in question comes in a nice off-white (or cream) shade. I've been contemplating to purchase a pair of white jeans (or pants) to add to my wardrobe, but had been hesitating due to a few concerns.

This off-white colour is a nice compromise. I wore it with a white polo with horizontal-stripes, and my usual white sneakers. Another good pairing is with my pink shirt (and rolled-up sleeves).

Collect Your Staples

AskMen.com - AM Rule Refresher
Good advice; especially useful in the current financial crisis that the entire world is in now.

The Grey Cardigan Look

The Grey Cardigan Look
Some ideas on how to pair up a grey cardigan from the blog post above. Recently, I wore my recently bought grey cardigan to a wedding that specified a dress code of "Formal-ish".

I was keen not to wear the "usual" black pants, so it started from there. I wore my khaki pants with tan-coloured leather ankle boots.

I paired the above with a black long-sleeved shirt, a grey tie, and the grey cardigan. I was swaying between wearing a white or a black shirt, but decided to wear black eventually.

p.s. AskMen.com have a fresh article on a grey cardigan.

(Update: 3 May 2010)
Sheknowsbest seems to have "morph on", so I've copied the original text below for posterity.

The Grey Cardigan Look
By: Dexie | 10 Comments

I saw this cardigan over a pinstriped shirt and dark jeans look while perusing my husband’s April issue of Men’s Health. I thought it was defintely stylin’ until my eye caught the little corner where it showed how much the cashmere cardigan is from Generra. It’s cashmere so it only make sense that it’s $350. You add $60 for the pinstriped shirt from Express and $65 for the slim jeans from Levi’s then you have a $475 outfit. Whewwww.

Lucky for you, I’m here to show you the affordable way to get this look :)

This is still a cashmere cardigan so if you prefer to wear cashmere you can still do so with this $149.50 from Land’s End.

I found a version of the stripes button-up shirt from GAP for only $39.50.

And this dark-wash boot cut leg jeans from OLD NAVY for only $29.50.

Shoes? Wear any of your canvas pair, like the Chuck Taylor’s. As long as it’s not orange or yellow :) . So which version would you wear, the $475 one or the affordable pieces I picked? Either way, I’m sure you’d look just as great as the model ;) .