What's In, What's Out?

I am not that old. Neither do I feel that old, until someone greets me with "Hi, Tita!" Don’t get me wrong, I am not offended by this, er, term of endearment. Young people keep me in touch with the latest trends in fashion, lifestyle, and more importantly, what’s in and what’s out.

For instance, if you think big hair and pop music ring tones are in or that expensive designer diet pills are still the rage, think again. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that understated fashion, the National Geographic and Discovery channels are in, and so is having faith in our country.

Angelo Barretto, champion race car driver: Transport: IN – using a scooter to run errands, OUT – waiting for a parking space to free up; IN – riding scooters with a stylish helmet, OUT – making excuses for not wearing a helmet; IN – attending a track-day session at Subic Raceway, OUT – dangerous illegal drag races on public roads; IN – E-pass convenience, OUT – long queue even on Exact Toll lanes.

Lifestyle: IN – supporting the Being Human Foundation, OUT – supposing that someone else will do it for you; IN – free ride mountain biking, OUT – stationary trainer in your living room; IN – network gaming snapshots, OUT – instant Polaroid film; IN – insisting on a healthy lifestyle, OUT – relying on expensive designer pills.

Fashion: IN– rubber-soled slip-on shoes, OUT – chunky platform shoes; IN – practical cargo pants, OUT– ill-fitting hip-hop baggy pants; IN – discovering local fashion designers, OUT – insisting on expensive designer labels.

Business: IN – using the silent/vibrate feature of your cell phone, OUT – pop music ring tones on loud; IN – acknowledging the "Good Morning ma’am/sir greeting," OUT– pretending that the person isn’t there; IN – personal interaction during meetings, OUT – answering SMS between sentences; IN – studying the potential of entrepreneurship, OUT – settling for a 9-5 desk job.

Paola Zobel: IN – sunglasses (rimless), black-and-white, camel color, rocker, studs, hoops and chains, thin belts, (loose) jeans/denim, one-shoulder shirts, super low pants, army and fatigue, gold, red, bright colors, flowers (on hair or with an outfit), crosses, hooped earrings/long dangling earrings, fish-net tights, contrast/deconstruction for clothing, graffiti bags/saddle bags (Christian Dior), bowling bags/two-toned bags, corset (inspired by the movie Moulin Rouge), wavy hair, mini skirts, leather, ’80s vintage clothes, big watches, two-strapped watches.

OUT – raver look, big chunky shoes, loose baggy clothes, rimmed glasses, streaks/highlights for your hair (blonde), straight hair, pastel colors, light colored/washed jeans, long skirts.

Dj David Jacob: IN – National Geographic & Discovery channels, OUT – gossip/talk show channels. IN – independence/responsibility, OUT – trust accounts; IN – freedom of expression, OUT – society trends; IN – understated fashion, OUT – structured fashion; IN – surfer girls, OUT – club girls.

Angela Montenegro: IN – advocacy living, OUT – lavish lifestyles; IN – chill out bars, OUT – clubs; IN – two-tone shades, OUT – aviator shades; IN – fusion cuisine, OUT – traditional cuisine.

Sarah Meier, MTV VJ: IN – rock ‘n’ roll (thank God), OUT– raves (again, thank God).

Cherrie Del Rosario, commercial model: Designer jeans are coming back (thank God!). The gold rush is losing steam (what’s next? Back to silver I guess . . .) Wake boarding is gaining interest, while jet-skiing is taking a back seat. Lounge bars, dining and music are refreshing alternatives. New Age concepts are making a strong comeback such as yoga, holistic remedies, alternative medicine and therapy. Goodbye LD, hello DVD. Adventurous/fearless dining is IN (thanks to Debbie and Marta).

Jackie Cohen, New York-based journalist: What’s IN are asymmetrical lines, camouflage prints, graffiti bags, hipsters and Bangkok! OUT are pashminas, living with your parents and shopping in Hong Kong!

Katrina Tantoco, designer and merchandise manager of Rustan’s: IN – puff sleeves, OUT – bat-wing sleeves; IN – skinny pants, OUT – pleat-front pants; IN – baby doll dresses, OUT – Greek Goddess-inspired dresses; IN – nautical-inspired fashion, OUT – over dressing of the ’80s; IN – wide belts, OUT– regular-sized belts; IN – vintage or light colored jeans, OUT – indigo.

Kaycee Cuneta Concepcion, image model for Human: What’s IN – dressing to express, OUT – dressing to impress; IN – defining yourself, OUT – entirely despising who you have become; IN – finding (inner) strength, OUT – giving in to your weakness; IN – discovery, OUT – complacency; IN – steamed milk with hazelnut syrup, OUT – powdered milk.

Derrick Santos, broker, ING Barrings: OUT – I’ve been playing basketball and tennis all my life. IN – I’ve discovered yoga and golf.

Amanda Griffin, commercial model: OUT– sedate monotone dressing, IN – opulent dressing (Moulin Rouge). Color is definitely IN. Grays, blacks are OUT. Decadent glamour is IN.

Leica Carpo, L’Oreal public relations manager: IN – Sex and the City, OUT – The Rules; IN – killer abs, OUT – love handles; IN – stilettos, OUT– chunky heels; IN – small cell phones, OUT – cell phone thieves of any size phones; IN – dinner with friends, OUT – blind dates.

Tina Tinio, public relations manager, Nation Broadcasting Corporation: What’s IN – having faith in our country; well-being/finding one’s own peace; adventurous dining; black and white; chilling out with friends.

What’s OUT – apathy; close-mindedness, "helmet hair" (!); people who think that the Philippines is a dead-end country; and falling prey to homogeneity.

Sasa Montinola, commercial model and marketing manager, Summit Publishing: What’s IN right now are clothes with asymmetrical and psychedelic patterns on blouses and shirts. One-sided blouses are IN, a lot of accessories are IN to spruce up outfits. The fatigue-and-military look is coming back in style. As for what’s OUT, solid patterns are not so popular.

Cris Villonco: IN – being patient with old people, especially if you give extra pocket money (!); fashion is self-expression, so express yourself; community awareness and doing something about it; being yourself; having a healthy body.

OUT – Any "crush" before 2001; finding excuses not to read; blaming your parents; being pa-martyr; high-maintenance haircuts, clothes and friends; feeling superior.