When fashion archetypes travel
MANILA, Philippines - Traveling to these hot destinations for summer? You’re not equipped enough until you read our guide to these summer playgrounds.
Traveling is a definite to-do in anybody’s list this holy week and summer. I’ve personally curated some archetypes which can set the pace for your vacation, whether you’re into quietly finding your center, mixing petrol and and surf, chasing after rare sneakers, or living it up at a rooftop party somewhere.
Bali: The Café Racer Goes To The Seaside Shindig
Stay: Villa Surya gets you private verandas and views of rice paddies which includes breakfast. Very near to the famous Echo Beach with big enough waves to excite and school anybody on a board. Also near to bars, restaurants and boutiques. (via airbnb.com)
Do: You have to check out surf and motorcycle culture merging Deus Ex Machina’s “Temple of Enthusiasm” in Canggu for your fix of caffeine, beer on tap, art-lined walls, hand-carved skateboards and fixed gear bikes. They also have surfboards, tacos, sushi and tatoos in addition to their movie nights and drag races. Oh, and check out the real deal Hindu temples, too. Just be sure to wear pants or else they make you wear a sarong. Also try local cuisine, find and discover the awesomeness that is Babi Guling.
Wear: While traveling, it can be tempting to still don your leather jacket and your tried and tested denim but this time maybe opt for some Dockers khakis (a garment and color rooted in military history and weather appropriate) light cotton shorts, and even denim cut offs. A singlet, or a well worn almost to the point of shredding band shirt, and plain white tee to keep cool since Bali temps can get pretty intense.
Note: Easily confused with hipsterwear during summertime.
Hong Kong: The Streetwear Enthusiast Stocks Up On New Ammo
Stay: Boutique hotel, or preferably a bloggable hotel with Philippe Starck designed interiors or Marco Polo Hotel ($1900HKD/Night) for familiarity’s sake and to appease your girlfriend’s desire to get to H&M in less than 20 steps.
Do: Hong Kong is a veritable gold mine for streetwear and its many permutations. Score some Vans Vaults, Classics or Syndicates at 852 skateshop, then troop on over to Loading for a good dose of Lafayette, Mishka NYC, Flying Coffin, Naked & Famous, 3Sixteen, Cadence, Hellz Bellz and Married to the Mob. Still got cash? Then drop a pretty penny at Juice HK (local flagship store for Edison Chen’s CLOT label) for Fujiwara, Murakami and Lupe Fiasco collabos abound. (clotinc.com/juicehk, www.loadingstore.blogspot.com and 8five2.com/)
Wear: Nearly mint Quickstrike Nike ACG Talaria Boot kicks, Levi’s Big “E” jeans, plain white Hanes x Supreme T-Shirt and a deadstock baseball cap.
New York: The Hipster’s Revelation
Stay: The Standard (has a rooftop bar like Skye Bar at the Fort, Astroturf sundeck with a foosball table, waterbed, and hosts spring/summertime parties which local models, actresses, and celebrities seem to be fond of). Ace Hotel (for continuity to that nonchalant hipster fashion you favor every. Single. Day. But never noticed it, of course). Average US$200+/night, or pull a friend card and sleep on somebody’s couch.
Do: Depending on what time of month you arrive, there will still always be an obscure band playing at the Cakeshop (152 Ludlow St.) come night time. During the day you can relax and wax poetic half listening while checking the fare of unfamiliar demos and legitimate CDs for sale. There are gems to be heard here so keep your sensibilities open. For a change of scenery and actual food, get a free slice of pizza when you order a drink (hey, beer is a food group!) at Alligator Lounge and let out your social animal while sweating irony during karaoke on Thursdays (600 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn). Give in and swipe your credit cards to catch a show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, or the Bowery Ballroom for a healthy dose of buzzbands and blogosphere-induced bacchanal.
Wear: Standard issue skinny jeans, a shirt with a collar. Move towards outdoorsy wear imminent. Still, you should add an irony or camp appeal by opting for a dip-dye shirt or over the top prints.
