The Perfect Basic Cotton Shirt

Styles come and go but in terms of tops, none can quite compete with the comfort, versatility and timelessness of 2 things. First, A basic button down, and second, a plain V-necked shirt. While the former is my lazy girl go to staple because its a day to night- monday to sunday piece, In this post I will tackle the latter.

A good cotton shirt is the most comfortable top in the world, especially for temperate climates like the Philippines. It allows you to be totally mobile while keeping stylish and gives you room to have fun styling. It's no wonder it's the go to signature piece of designers, architects, off-duty models, and the like. 

You can wear it under a suit/ blazer on an expo, with trousers and a statement necklace to work,  denim shorts and gladiators on a hot summer day, or in my case, with a high-slit maxi skirt, wide-rimmed hat and stilettos. You will be surprised at how much you can actually need this piece when you have it. 

Sometime last year, us Cebu Fashion Bloggers were challenged to put together a look that will best showcase our personal styles using this shirt from Giordano and this what I came up with at the last minute: Subtly sexy but mostly just effortless, feminine, and classy.

Hands down, a basic v-shirt is the ultimate key piece to an off-duty look. But take note, for plain shirts, FIT is ALWAYS KEY. I like mine flattering but not tight, a little relaxed but not excessively oversized. So depending on your body type and personal aesthetic, find yours and discern well.

How would you style your V-neck cotton shirt? :)

Shirt: Giordano* Skirt: Blind Clothing* Heels: Charles and Keith* Hat: SM Ladies* Necklaces: Forever 21 * Watch: Skagen

Photo: Burtz Rolian

Locale: Movenpick Hotel

Hair & Make-up: Ava Celocia

Best Foot Backward

Laid back, Under- accesosrized,  improper posture, unkempt do that can't exactly be called a choreographed bed head either, a little bit of sweat and smudge, denim Pants. This is how I was most of my college life.  Adulthood (and the climate) made me outgrow the denims and the norms of professional life have somehow changed the way I've presented myself.  

Putting her best foot forward.  

Once, a friend I just got to know, teased that this was how I was with him.

  "What's wrong with that?", slightly in denial, mildly confused whether to accept or to differ, frankly caught off-guard, I answered defensively. And then I realized, I always have my best foot forward. Nothing wrong with that (?) This was the standard of adulthood as I know it!

"Nothing, it's just that it's so.. safe. Safe is boring."  He said ever so bluntly.

"What's not boring?"  I challenged.

"It would be nice to see you with your guard down"

"....That's something you earn. " 

He gives that candid "makes sense" look. 

I victory dance inside. 

Months after this passing conversation happened, it still plays in my head and makes me laugh and wonder. Back when we were younger, important people-- professors, titas and such demanded our best behaviour. Now that we've grown up and have gotten used to that, some people wish to behold otherwise. We have grown to be very selective of the people we decide to be comfortable and "best foot backward" with that to some it becomes a novelty. Isn't it interesting, all this adulting.

I have to admit though. Friend has a point. Once in a while, it wouldn't hurt to come as you most naturally are and in your rawest state. In fact it can be liberating. In my case sadly, it's not always never pretty, but then again, genuine is always beautiful.

And Yes kids, mid 20's people can still wear ripped jeans and crop tops. :p

Top: Blind Clothing

Mom Jeans: Blind Clothing

Mandals: Parisian

Photos by: Burtz Rolian

Locale: Cafe Capriccio

Everything Online! (Weekend Bazaaar)

Everything Online Weekend Bazaar.

When your favorite online shops go offline for the weekend

When meet up schedules will be from 12 noon to 12 midnight 

When the clothes you want are hung right in front of you at your convenience ready for fitting

When your taste buds enjoy what they can't always do on a regular.

Cebu shoppers, if youre tired of the normal shopping scene,  get ready for Everything Online Weekend Bazaar on July 26-27, 2014 at One Paseo, Ma Luisa Rd Banilad Cebu City (Where the Henry Hotel and The Spa at Cebu are located, the road going to Maria Luisa, see map for your convenience). I don't know about you but I like going to events like this because I like shopping and I like new experiences and this is exactly a combination of that, a unique shopping experience, like a pop-up mall, one weekend its there and the next it's gone. 

I know, we've been having a lot of bazaars lately but I just can't get enough. Am I the only one? The combination of food and merchandise stalls plus the feel is always different. And honestly, I like the rarity of what I find in weekend bazaars,  the feeling of not knowing when I'd find a particular store live and in the flesh ever  again. Or the thrill of seeing an item I've been coveting on my instagram in the flesh finally. Everyone likes a little tease, yeah? :)) Tell me I'm not crazy!

What's more, Blind Clothing, your fave indie online brand, purveyor of classy and cool, elegance and effortlessness, will be there. (Ahahaha so biased right now). Just look for this tarp! We're at booth # 6! Also joining us are some of my personal favorites Minted Jewelry, Cesa Ph, Lord of the Ribs and a lot more so I'm excited to shop and eat myself. Also, hang with me and my fellow Cebu Fashion Bloggers loves sell our pre-loved closet favorites at a real, real bargain. All at the convenience of your 5 senses, not just your eyes, for once. 

Tell me I'd see you there! 

:)

**Everything Online Weekend Bazaar is the brain-child of Mint Concepts and Events**

Blush

 

I am a huge trousers fan. Huge. 

It gives a touch of polish you owe your clients (a sign of respect), and the comfort you owe yourself. 

Like I always like saying, these to me are corporate pajamas, cozy and liberating.

I wore this monochromatic ensemble last sunday which I spent 75% of the time in a cafe doing me time with my favorite (pasta! :) ) in the morning, meeting a client at noon, and working the rest of the afternoon in the comforts of caffeine, cool breeze and cloudy skies, Kenneth Cobonpue in sight 5 meters away, and my own solitude. 

I just came from "Rock! The Worship Concert" the night before this and though it was exhausting, I woke up early to catch up on backlogs so I basically felt as lazy as I look, thus the equally slouchy top. Pairing it with anything crisp, collared, or structured will only make that day feel like a monday. And you know it's a golden rule for me to "dress like the weekend when it's a weekend". ;)

Blush, peach, salmon, old rose.. Ever since the day I found that I could actually wear them (used to think they were only for really fair skin tones) I never stopped adoring them. They're just so soft, fresh, feminine and very flattering, like it makes you glow. It makes me want to be more refined if that even makes sense. So I did a monochromatic look using these pretty shades that day and broke it off with a brown belt that matched my low-heel sandals. Brown is a great accent to blush, so are washed denims and whites.

Really loving comfortable,  low-heeled sandals. since 2012. Haha.

They contribute so much pull a look together without demanding so much from your feet. :))

Gotta say I'm so happy this pair from Zalora came in my exact size, that seldom happens to my online shoe purchases. So happy with the very good customer service and quick hassle-free delivery, too! :)

I hope you don't mind the laid back outfits lately. In a world full of false pretenses and tight guard on self image, I'd like to remain to be my candid old self and dress for myself solely, and then allow so to reflect on what I post. What you see in this blog is what you get, and this polished but chill girl right here is me on a daily basis, with or without intents of taking that #ootd :))

Hope you're all having a great week so far!  :)

X

Dawn

**Tank: Forever 21**Trousers: Blind Clothing*Sandals: Chloe Edit at Zalora

Team Player

Early last March, Blind Clothing participated in "ESKINA! Lifestyle Expo", an event where food, fashion, and music meet in one electric event that's dedicated to 100% Cebuano goodness. Eskina was organized by a USC-CAFA Advertising Arts Class as a school project and it baffles me how half a classroom can create something that turned out so huge and fun. To be completely honest, I had hesitations to join at first but no regrets, because it totally exceed my expectations, it was so much fun to be a part of. I'll show you photos taken from our booth below. In the mean time, here's an outfit post I quickly sneaked in between booth manning.

If you've been a reader of this blog for sometime now, you'd know that oversized shirts are kind of my thing. I was so excited to wear out this shirt that I got from designer Yves Camingue. The moment I saw it, I knew I needed it. I looove this shirt, it's so simple but fresh and striking. I like the idea that it's a cool varsity number tee but instead of having the usual bold and plain digits inscribed, what you have a nice floral pattern with a nice deep palette. You can style it to perfect an effortless, urban look. My only problem is that apparently, I have to dry clean it after every wear since the floral number bleeds on the white shirt. :(

It's kind of a pressure trying to look well-dressed for our clients and friends (who by the way are all very fashionable themselves!) who would be dropping by the booth that day, whilst making sure that the outfit never gets in the way of errands, set-up, set-down, manning, and basically BLOODY (kid you not) field work. It was a hot hot day and I think the loose tee did the trick in keeping me perfectly mobile. I originally planned on wearing shorts but opted for these skorts again to further bring out the color in my number-tee.  I loved how it turned out, what do you think? :) These cut-out boots of course, are my favorite Tatum boots from Tonic... these and my sneaks are my war shoes (when I say war I mean festivals.. Sinulog.. lifedance.. shoots..) because it helps me move around without getting my feet dirty, dusty or itchy from the grass.  Let's not forget to top the look off with aviator shades and one-feather earring. 

 So there. That's my sunny day, festival-girl-at-work outfit. Hope you like it! :) Now to show you what went down during the event:

**DAY 1**

Event Set-up

Ready for afternoon festivities

BEFORE : Our spot

AFTER: Our booth! :)

Trinkets and accessories we sold

 
Evening

Ninz and me

Welcome!!!

Fashion blogger Liz posing behind her photos :P

Liz with her friend, Ninz, me, and Gab

The Blind SS|13 creations rack

**DAY 2**

Ninz, me, and our beautiful booth representative, Denz! :)

Our chica Gwen dropped by and so did the others later that day <3

Ninz and Tina doing the BLIND pose :P

Ninz' selfie with the clothes from OOTD Ph

People usually come in after 3. Prior to that, we're busy doing this. HAHA

and this!!

Tanduay setting up ready to give out free booze for that night

Lunch. Supporting our fellow exhibitors and buying from other booths/ stalls :P

It's Jessika from our SS13' collection !! <3

Ms Cebu runner-up and good friend Apple dropped by to show some love!

Ninz studying for finals while booth manning

New friends from SHSJ! :)

Sat Night has officially begun! The place was packed!

Clients also came to pick-up their packages and buy other goodies. Hi Kaye! :)

Ninz' HS friends were so sweet as to drop by...

... and play dress-up? and shop. :))

Mi love Eden of Chic in the Tropics, and Ms Grace of Yoga hub!!


My former college friends!! <3

Ninz' college bro's. Haha.

The crowd that night was crazyyyy.
Great music, free unlimited booze, food and cool stuff.. I dont see why not!

**DAY 3**

The Radaza sisters of OOTDPh. We brought in their stuff (and racks) too just so you guys have more to choose and shop from, Thanks to my love Gab for being so open at such short notice, and to her sisters for being the best booth-mates in the world!! It was great working with you guys <3

Dale came by and helped out for awhile, thanks Dale! :)

The girls of M&K CUPCAKES. <3
Their cookies are to die for. Infact, we got our Blind christmas presents from these girls. Hi!!

Denz and me with frequent visitors (haha) bloggers Jesse, Sophia.. behind are Buddy and Uriel of SNAP.

One of our new friends tha night, Mikee. <3

The crew behind FILTHY PROJECT. Another local brand you should watch out for.
Their caps are love!!

Matthew, Buddy, and Kristof helping out with set-down

And Finally, Blind booth team with the head organizers of Eskina!!! Congrats Jazzie and team! and shout out to April Ramos for inviting us over to participate. :)


So there you have it. Can you feel the energy from my photos? :)
Thanks to everyone who encouraged us to do Eskina.. To Buddy, OOTD Ph and the team who in any way helped make our booth a shining beaut (said with bias of course)... and most especially everyone who came by and showed us some lovin! <3
Congratulations to the organizers for throwing one great party, and shout out to all the other exhibitors-- especially those we got to make friends with. It was an honor!
Cheers, and See you all on the next rock show! x


Top: Yves Camingue
Skort: Topshop
Boots: Tonic