Checkout Counter: Fall forward

MANILA, Philippines - It’s that wonderful time of the year again — stores are having sales, malls are packed, people are merry and window displays are lighting up everyone’s eyes. No one can deny that every shopper’s favorite season is just around the corner. No, I’m not talking about Christmas just yet, but rather, the turn of the fashion season. Make room in your closets, fall 2011 is here!

Unlike in other countries where they have the privilege of having four fashion seasons — spring/summer, pre-fall, autumn/winter and resort — in the Philippines, we only have two: spring/summer from around March to July, over the dry, sunny months, and fall/winter, from August to February, over the wet, cooler months. We can only make do with our tag-araw and tag-ulan seasons, hence the fashion cycle only comes around twice a year when old stocks are marked down and our favorite stores are replenished with new merchandise to save up for.

Dried leaves and auburn trees — or in our case, flooded streets and unending rain storms — mark the arrival of coats, knits and fur in our favorite stores. Although thick and heavy clothes aren’t exactly wearable in our tropical climate, big fashion houses in the west still dictate global trends hence, making their way into our local style selections.

Fur?

Leather?

Blazers?

Yes, you can!

Check out these style tips and learn how to adapt runway trends for school or the next night out.

The Dominatrix Effect

The dominatrix look is no longer reserved for naughty playtime behind closed doors, slutty Halloween costume websites or the sketchy fetish peepshows in Amsterdam. It has worked its way onto the high fashion runways of luxury mega brand Louis Vuitton and quirky designer Jeremy Scott, among others. Embracing the power and the sensuality of the modern woman, the dominatrix is a risqué statement of confidence with leather, sheer fabric, black and studs. Definitely not for the fainthearted, the style commands authority and requires a great deal of oomph.

On Janna: Sheer long-sleeved top, Style Break, P1,050. Faux leather skirt, The Ramp, P1,650. Peep-toe pumps with silver detail, CMG, P3,999. Spiked bangles, Forever 21, P625 each. 

No Longer Just for the Varsity Team

Sweatshirts are the must-haves for wear-and-go people. Put them on and you’re good to go. From quirky cartoon characters to artsy photos from God knows where, the sweatshirt has somewhat become a blank canvass for creative minds. A tip: designer sweatshirts will set you back a couple hundred dollars so buying a plain one from your favorite store and ironing on prints from the computer will be much cheaper, and you’ll even get to choose the design yourself.

On Kyle: Mickey Mouse printed sweater, Topman, P2,395. Studded collar button-down longsleeves, P 1,950. Shorts, Mundo @ the Ramp, P1,950. Shoes, Topman, 3,195. Leggings, P195, Bandana, P49.75, both from SM Department Store. Eyeglasses, stylist’s own.

Varsity blues

No longer just for school spirit, the varsity jacket has been seen in stores from Zara to Topman and Forever 21, extending college style to the high-street market. On Kyle: Tan, Forever 21, P505. Shorts, Mundo @ the Ramp, Jacket, Zara, price unavailable. Shoes and socks, stylist’s own.

Colorful disposition

Color seemed to have lingered longer than its usual spring-summer lifespan. Yellow, orange, mustard and purples, brighten up our favorite shops for a more colorful fall season.

 On Janna: Pink bandage skirt, Topshop, P1,745. Sleeveless top, Topshop, P1,895. Polkadotted headband, Topshop, P545. Shades, stylist’s own. Shoes, Lilly’s closet @ CMG, P3,999.  

The New Marlboro Man

Incorporating the classic western style of denims and crisp, traditional tailoring with metallic studs, leather details and tapered silhouettes creates the 21st century Marlboro man. Wearing this look calls for strategic styling. Pass on the cowboy boots, denim-on-denim pieces and the ever-famous cowboy hat: you don’t want to end up looking like you’re about to milk a cow or ride a bull.

On Kyle: Blazer with leather lining, stylist’s own. Button-down longsleeves, Fred Perry, P8,000. Vest, Topman, P1,395. Necktie, Mundo @ the Ramp, P150. Studded belt, Mundo @ the Ramp, P1,000. Denim pant, Forever 21, P1,115. Shades, Rayban, price unavailable. Shoes, Frank @ Traffic, P3,999.

Metallic Tales

May it be channeling the glitzy fashion of Studio 54 or preempting the intergalactic style of the future, metallic-treated fabric is a must-have for fall 2011. The tinge of shine and that extra pizzazz not only push up the glam factor but also evoke a sense of power. Don’t wear all metallic as your getup; toning down is the key to this look. You wouldn’t want to look like a walking, newly polished statue. Wearing metallic on matte will highlight the shiny fabric and accessorizing less or sticking to the color scheme of the overall ensemble will balance out the glimmer of the metallic in the outfit. Shine on!

On Janna: Mustard top, Zara, P2,990. Metallic gold leather skirt, Zara, P2,990. Shoes, Forever 21, P1,695. Socks, Stylist’s own.

Color Me Bad

Fall 2011 isn’t shying away from color. No longer just a season for blacks, grays and earthy tones, this year’s fall showcase celebrates the vibrancy and the energy of color. Usually built on tailoring and textiles, menswear collections tend to veer away from loud colors and fancy prints as guys, collectively speaking, aren’t as experimental with new fashions — not unless you have the quirky style sense of the Japanese and Koreans.

On Kyle: Gray button-down longsleeves, Forever 21, P1,175. Stripped tank, Forever 21, P655. Maroon necktie, Topman, P645. Navy blue blazer, Zara, PP3,990. Brown drop-crotch pants, Zara, P2,990. Dessert shoes, Topman, P1,745. Belt, stylist’s own

Fur-tastic

Pamela Anderson once said that she’d rather go naked than wear fur. Not only is real fur a product of animal cruelty, it’s also insanely expensive. Fret not for faux fur is here to hike up your style meter without meriting a public protest from PETA and breaking the bank. While it isn’t practical to wear in a tropical country, it’s still a fall must-have — especially to those who get to fly over to temperate countries or even to those who just want to make a statement in our tropical climate. Bottom line: If there’s air-con, why not?

On Janna: Neon pink bandage dress, Topshop, P1,745. Faux-fur vest, Zara, P6,590. Shadea, Topshop, P1,250. Shoes, Lilly’s Closet @CMG, P3,999. Ring, Forever 21, P395. Socks, Stylist’s own.