When models talk about fashion (and life’s absurdities)

It’s a Tuesday night out with the girls.  On the table is sumptuous fare of greasy tapas, followed by a mound of carbohydrates in the form of pasta and paella at one of our usual haunts.  We always sit on the same table in Cerveseria, the one behind the bookshelves that close off with a sheer curtain.  There we can gaggle in private about, not other people, but ourselves. Naturally we also talk fashion.

 Just an hour earlier, Isabel Roces had picked me up at my Makati place before dinner. I wore my high-waist velvet pants, a cropped chambray tank, a graphic oversized cardigan with my usual hat and boots.  Isabel, on the other hand, wore a blue printed knee- length wrap dress with white peep-toe pumps.  We were like a pseudo Carrie and Charlotte, on our way to meet Miranda and Samantha.  Even after a decade of being friends, our sartorial differences have never failed to amuse me. 

 I’ve always had this theory that Isabel uses her fashion choices to purposely eclipse her already innate sensuous appeal.  Her go-to outfits always include trousers, tailored shorts, polo shirts, shift dresses, and knit blouses in soft neutrals or pastels.  â€œI like looking feminine without looking overtly sexy,” she says.  You’ll sometimes catch her with an animal print blouse only to have one shoulder exposed, or a bold-colored pair of skinny jeans.  She then adds thoughtfully, “My style is also modern, though not necessarily trendy.” 

Recently, Isabel made her way to XOXO and browsed through their latest Love Cruise collection.  She finds pieces that appeal to her sensibilities: diaphanous blouses with subtle sequin collar details, sweet floral dresses, tailored shorts with a tie waist belt, and eggshell-colored blouses with a ruched neckline.  But ultimately, she picked out three dresses and two separates.  â€œMore often than not, you’ll catch me wearing a dress. It’s just one piece, it’s effortless, and yet stylish.”   

 Our night as a female quartet comes to an end, and we all part ways.  We are no longer the foursome flock talking about life’s absurdities in our pretend New York that is Makati.  And though our egos take a backstage once again, until we meet, our daily regalia reveals a glimpse into our personas. 

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 XOXO stores can be found in Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Place Ermita, SM North Edsa, TriNoma, Ayala Mall Cebu, SM Cebu, and Ayala Abreeza Mall Davao.  Like them on Facebook: facebook.com/xoxo.ph.