The Spanish Invasion: Red Hot

The Spanish invasion has never been this chic! The galleon full of fashion gems from Mango has made every señorita as fashionable as she can be with its trendy and affordable pieces. Once again, Edi Tekeli brings in another armada of fantastic and stylish wares to our shores, via the Spanish clothing line Waipai.

Waipai was established in 1988 by Creole textile company. It offers a selection of trendy yet wearable clothing, complementing especially young women who want to feel fashionable yet comfortable.

No straps or scary fashion nuisances to worry about, Waipai is all about functional chic. Its smart and fight pieces promise to take 24-hour fashionites from rush hour to cocktail hour.

Here are some ways to give your wardrobe some extra mileage:

• Don’t be afraid to experiment with prints. Though solids are great for all-season wear, prints give your clothes a punch. To make your printed clothing "unmemorable," try mixing and matching it with different prints. This unexpected combo makes any floral printed blouse and striped pants, for example, an ingenious fashion cocktail.

• Never underestimate the power of accessorizing. Though the Carrie Bradshaw flower pin has said its mi ultimo adios, brooches, pins and even earrings (used as brooches) in unique designs can liven up any outfit. This is also a convenient way to go from day to night. Just put on your ornate pin, and it’s sure to put the a.m. out of your khakis and white button-down shirt. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings fashioned out of fabric, rhinestones and semi-precious stones, add a kick to your look without breaking your piggy bank. There are no rules, just be wary of crossing the thin line of being daring and ridiculous.

• Shoes make the woman. A colorful pump makes any neutral and safe outfit anything but that. There are a few who stick to the safe blacks or browns. However, once you start thinking out of the box, a funky colored shoe in, say, yellow or fire engine red, in a classic style such as loafer or mule, puts a subtle chic irreverence to your look.

• Wear only what you feel comfortable in. No outfit can ever mask a woman ill-at ease with herself. So only do what you feel is a reflection of your personality. The clothes should never wear you. Through experimenting, you’ll eventually find your own unique brand of style, making shopping a more proactive experience. I mean, what’s worse than buying something and realizing that you’ll never wear it? Know what works for you and all else will follow naturally.

So fight and do Waipai your own way. Waipai is now open at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati.