Borrowing from the Boyfriend

I have found a new, untapped source of hip clothes and I can get everything for free! Yup, you probably already guessed where it is: my boyfriend's closet. I discovered this hidden treasure when I visited his hometown last August. The goal was to see if we could bring anything home to our new apartment. I ended up ransacking his closet, and taking home more stuff for me than him. His closet was a gold mine of oversized button-down shirts that could be worn on lazy days when you don't want to think about what to wear. 

Me in action. Can you tell I'm excited?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first item that caught my eye was a forest green shirt that instantly brought the utilitarian/military trend to mind. It's a great color, bordering on neutral, yet it looks up-to-date.

It went with the accessories I was wearing that day.

When the boyfriend asked how I would wear them seeing that they were several sizes too big, I replied, "All you need is a belt!" I've always said that belts can do magic on clothes. A waist cinching one is the key to giving loose clothes a shapelier silhouette. 

Tada! Final outfit: Leggings, Topshop. Aviators, Rayban. Necklace, Urban Behavior. Bag, Charles and Keith (bought in Manila). Belt, Shapes (bought in Manila too!).  Leopard-print booties, gojane.com.

I've also worn another of his shirts during the summer, this time a soft, deliberately faded short sleeved button-down from Urban Behavior. I think this shirt is still part of his current wardrobe so I literally stole it from his closet! I rolled up the sleeves, cinched it with my favorite vintage brown belt, and paired it with denim shorts. I accessorized with a lace scarf, and woven sandals paired with floral socks.

The background matches my vintage/hipster/collegiate look! Men's shirt, Urban Behavior. Shorts, bought at FIT outdoor fair, $5. Scarf, Topshop, sale at $5. Necklace, Dorothy Perkins. Belt, thrifted in Baguio ukay. Bag, bought at FIT outdoor fair. Socks, H&M, about $6. Sandals, Aeorosoles, bought on sale at $20.

I've also borrowed my boyfriend's sweaters, cardigans, neckties and suspenders. Tell me, have you nabbed anything from your boyfriend/brother/dad/friend and how did you wear it?

Seeing Red

Ever since seeing Rag and Bone's Spring 2011 red-laced platform shoes over at www.refinery29.com, I've had red shoelaces on my mind.

I saw a red-laced brown hiker boot at Urban Outfitters (they don't have it online now but they still have the black and blue version online) at about the same time and it made me realize it's going to be a trend. Not a big one perhaps, but a mini trend nonetheless.

I bought a pair of red laces at the Jewish shoe shop near the Marcy subway station and made my own version.

Shoes before the "makeover"

Tada! Final outfit. Heattech Turtlneck, Uniqlo, about $20; oversized hoodie, SM Surplus, about Php300; cargo vest, Old Navy, about $30; denim shorts, bought at the FIT outdoor market, $5; thermal tights, Marks and Spencer, about Php700; ankle boots, from www.urbanog.com, $32.50; necklace, Accessorize, about Php650; vintage bag, FIT outdoor market, $5.

Since the laces were too short, I deliberately left them untied. I like how it looks.

Product shot

 I wore this to school a few months ago when the temperature started dropping. I bought the hoodie at the Surplus Shop in SM Makati with now Cosmopolitan fashion editor Happy Lopez during one of our pullouts. It's actually a men's hoodie but I bought it nonetheless. She convinced me to get them in anticipation of the cold weather in NY. I'm happy I did! They keep me warm when I'm at home, and it's super duper comfy. This is the first time I wore them out of the house!

Did you like my layering attempt? Coming from a tropical country, I never really liked layering much but I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it. Last winter, I was terrible at combining fashion and function. My mantra was, "bahala na maging chaka, basta di ginawin!" (The heck with fashion, I just want to be warm!). Now, however, I've had a bit of practice. Let's see how I fare this winter!

Lanvin for H&M

I can't wait this for this collection to hit the stores but I don't know if I'll actually fight to death with other shoppers just to be able to get my hands on these pieces. I also don't know if I'll be willing to spend $249 on a dress but it IS Lanvin after all and Alber Elbaz is a genius! If there is one designer dress I want to own, it definitely has to come from the hands of this man. What I will probably pick up are the accessories. I'm a sucker for big, bold baubles. Now these, I would gouge out eyes for haha!

Here are my lust-worthy picks from the collection. Photos courtesy of www.nymag.com.

I like the ruffle detail on this dress. Dress: $199; Belt worn as necklace: $19.95; Leather gloves: $49.95 Bracelet: $29.95; Brooch: $19.95; Necklace worn as belt: $29.95; Shoes: $99; Sunglasses: $19.95.

The color pops just right! Dress: $199; Earrings: $19.95; Belt worn as bracelet: $19.95; Sunglasses: $19.95

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The $249 dress, but one of my favorites in the collection. I adore the necklace too! Dress: $249; Bag: $49.95; Shoes: $99; Earrings: $19.95; Sunglasses: $19.95.

A classic tuxedo jacket is a must in any wardrobe (too bad I still don't have one!) T-shirt: $39.95; Blazer (styled with pin from men's tuxedo jacket): $99; Skirt: $99; Shoes: $99; Pink necklace: $39.95; Sunglasses: $19.95.

Yes I'm going through a men's clothing phase. I want his shirt, bowtie, and shoes! They're definitely more affordable than the women's pieces. Shirt: $59.95; Bowtie: $29.95; Tuxedo (only pants shown): $299 for pants and jacket; Shoes: $79.95; Sunglasses: $19.95.

A better view of the metallic lace-ups. Coat: $149; Blazer: $149; Shirt: $49.95; Bowtie: $29.95; Pants: $59.95; Cap: $19.95; Shoes: $79.95.

This jacket might even be better than the women's version. More streamlined and understated. And the shoes, the shoes! Wonder if I can find a pair that fits me! Tuxedo (only jacket shown): $299 for pants and jacket; Vest: $49.95; Shirt: $49.95; Bowtie: $29.95; Pants: $59.95; Shoes: $79.95.

View the entire collection here. It will drop in select H&M stores on November 20.

How about you, what are your top picks?