The Happening: Sneaker Dream Comes True!

I've always wanted Air Jordans ever since I was a kid. All the cool kids in class used to rock 'em, and now, all grown up, I'm proud to say I just got the mack daddy of 'em all. Heralded by many as one of the best sneakers ever created, the Air Jordan 3 Black / Cements sold out instantly when it was re-released in Singapore late last year. With a stroke of luck, though, I believe I chanced upon what may be the last pair in the country! It's a bit bigger than my actual size, but to hell with it! It's not everyday that you get to own such an iconic pair for both basketball and streetwear.

On and off the court, these bring some phenomenal swag to your game.

The 1988 print ad for the AJ 3's with MJ and pal Mars Blackmon (a.k.a. Spike Lee).

The Item: Gap "Best" V-Neck Tee

Every magazine says that you need a white v-neck tee. Easy for them to say. I've looked far and wide for the best one and let me tell you, the search has been very frustrating. It's always one thing or another - fabric's too thin, V's too low, length's too long, armholes too wide. I was ready to just throw in the towel, but then, I came across Gap's "Best" V-necks. Bold claims, but they back it up: Just-right dip of the V, sleeves cut across the biceps, tail falls below the waist, and best of all, no nippling. In sum, what those knowledgeable men's mags should be telling you to get.

Paired with jeans, khakis, board shorts - it just plain works. 

My bet as the v-neck standard for any mid-priced options.

The Item: Surface to Air's "Ridiculum Vitae"

Savings be damned, there was just no way I was going to leave the party empty-handed. I've had my eye on this Surface to Air tee for a good minute now and Asylum was gracious enough to let me buy it at half-price. Part of the French label's "Artist Designed" collabs, the tee was made by Mexican contemporary artist Miguel Calderon. The phrase references to name of an exhibition he once did - his commentary on the sheer silliness of this world that runs on success, status, and one's C.V. A beautiful backstory hidden by the utter simplicity of wordplay. This is more like it.

The premium cotton feels like you're wearing nothing at all.

Small print on the shirt's back. Props to you, Mr. Calderon. You have a new fan.

The Item: Nike All Court Perforated Leather

Plain white sneakers should be part of every man's essentials. Given the right pair, they can go from hip-hop to hipster, shorts to suits, and work to weekend. In case you don't have any yet, I suggest you take a look at the Nike All Court Low. Inspired by tennis shoes of eras gone by, it's classic enough and yet equally as street because of the added perforation detail. The fact I got it on the clearance block was just icing on the cake. These kicks bring it, whatever court you're on.

The rubber toe reminds me of Jack Purcells, but the rest is unmistakably Nike.

Worn first with my army green chinos. A great combo for the summer months ahead!

The Item: Moscot Lemtosh Glasses

Moscots are right up there when it comes to my list of dream purchases. The brand's heritage speaks for itself. Known for their iconic retro specs which are handcrafted the same way since 1915, they have the distinction of being the go-to brand for such notables as Andy Warhol, Buddy Holly and Johnny Depp. Don't let the celebrity clientele sway you though, the products bring it. Just look at this tortoise-shell "Lemtosh" model I copped on sale. At just the right amount of cat-eye and touch of nerdiness, the quality and aesthetics more than deserve its own merit.

Here it is worn. My first full-frame thick glasses. Scratch that off the bucket list!

The Item: Puma Bolt Lite Mid Sneakers

I must say, this streetwear thing has been out of my scope for the past few years, but this pair from Puma was just too sweet to pass up. How could I with that lovely highlighter yellow sole and minimally-branded gray mesh upper? And that's not even the end of it. Puma crafted these with ultra-lightweight foam too, making them - and I say this without exaggeration - the lightest, most comfortable I have ever owned. Form and function in one pair - now that sells you sneakers.

My take: Best worn with jeans, tongue hanging out. Keep everything minimal.

More hits of neon yellow on the tongue with Usain Bolt's signature.

The Item: Andy Warhol x Uniqlo T-Shirt

I always knew it would take a doozy of a design to get me wearing printed tees again, and boy howdy, here it is. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of pop art icon Andy Warhol's death, Uniqlo has just released a limited edition t-shirt line inspired by the uber talented artist's finest works. If you're like me, though, there's just no getting better than his famous Campbell soup can. I've been looking for a large-sized print of this for years, but fate has dictated that I wear it as a shirt instead. No complaints here. This way, more people will be able to appreciate the handiwork of a man who single-handedly challenged the world to see art differently. Yes, a doozy indeed.

Now I have a fanboy shirt to wear to the Warhol art exhibit opening here later this week!

The Item: Swatch Camo Wristwatch

I'm attracted to anything camo nowadays. Be it a bag, shirt, pants, hell even underwear, if it's sporting a camouflage print, it's getting a look from me. Same story when I saw this handsome wristwatch from Swatch in Takashimaya last week. Didn't matter that I was late for an important appointment, I was just quickly going to try it on anyways. Only, it wasn't quick at all. I stopped, stared and admired the beaute, hypnotized by the new life that the print gave to the otherwise minimalistic offering. Sweet deal at just S$89. Being late to my meeting? Definitely worth it.

Love that they did not neglect giving the face the camo treatment too!

The Item: Uniqlo Orange Oxford Shirt

You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of Uniqlo than me. About 92% of the clothes I bought here were from the trusty Japanese brand known for their quality basics. Of all the pieces I own, though, their oxford shirts are definitely the ones I'm most obsessed with. Long-sleeved, short-sleeved, in a multitude of colors, I have boatloads already, but still, when I saw this particular variation below, I had to get it. The pale orange color is just so deliciously unconventional and the idea of standing out among the sea of whites and blues proved to be too intriguing to pass up. Oh, Manila, you're in for a doozy when this awesome brand finally opens. Addicting, I tell you!

Best paired with khakis and some sweet caramel brown loafers!

The Item: Jetsam Wallets

More often than not, recycled fashion can look like, well, trash. Not this new brand I discovered, though. It's called Jetsam and they had this simple yet bright idea of getting discarded materials like end-run materials, cast-off clothing and vintage textiles and turning them into sweet patterned billfold wallets. Inspired by iconic menswear pieces, Jetsam's first collection features designs using vintage repp ties, plaids, and even some dashing herringbone tweed for good measure. In other words, a prepster's wallet dreams coming true. For the relatively inexpensive price, it's a great buy and just about right for materials that was probably being thrown out anyways.

A sampling of Jetsam's first foray. The repp tie wallets are tops.

How the inside looks. Minimalist, just how I like it.

The Item: New Balance BB680 Hiking Boot

Our office here in Singapore is in the middle of nowhere. It's not near the Central Business District, not near Orchard Road, nowhere. Needless to say, it's a hard commute, but the one thing i love about the location is the New Balance Outlet Store just a few steps away. New B's have been making the rounds on the feet of many fashion week attendees in New York this year and I for one would welcome rocking this pair to the big dance. A sporty hiking boot that boasts of a Timberland-esque mustard yellow upper? Man, at only S$40 (P1,350) a friggin' deal that would have been a fine companion to all those daily trips to our where-in-the-hell workplace.

Quite the discovery. I just wish I could've seen these babies sooner before sizes ran out!

The Item: Thom Browne Eyewear

I don't own any Thom Browne pieces, but the man's influence on my current style state has been unparalleled to say the very least. After all, my pants haven't touched my ankles in years. That's why I was thrilled when I was able to catch some of his eyewear pieces on display at Surrender. Venturing out from the suits and shoes that are his signatures, Mr. Browne has created a lineup that defies description. They're classic but with a touch of utilitarianism, luxurious yet unfinished. Quite honestly and simply, he just defined where glasses end and spectacles begin.

Man, I should've taken more shots of the other models. Best glasses I've ever tried on.

The Item: Herschel Supply Co. Camo Duffel

I've bought quite a few bags since arriving here in Singapore (far too many to be honest), but the one thing that has always alluded me is a rough-and-tumble camouflage sack that would make any Japanese street style subject blush. Well, after ten long months, the search is over, chaps! This limited edition camo duffel bag from Herschel Supply Co. hits the spot perfectly. Nothing fancy, just a modest, fairly priced carry-all that lets the classic army adornment do the talking. Rugged outdoors or concrete jungle, with this baby, phenomenal swag is a certainty.

Available at BratPack Orchard Cineleisure. Only 1 of 1; talk about limited!

The Item: Eastpak x K. Van Assche Backpack

One thing you should know about me is that I'm a value shopper. Yeah, I occasionally dabble in more expensive brands, but by and large, I'm a cheapskate at heart. That's why I was thrilled to see this backpack designed by Dior Homme Creative Director Kris Van Assche for Eastpak. For a fraction of the price of this handsome Dior Homme bag, I can now get a Van Assche piece that was made even better with the functionality of Eastpak. Plus, I'm getting tired lugging just totes around anyways. I think this purchase may just be what the doctor ordered. Yes, a justification.

What first attracted me to the bag was the rich caramel color

But then, the back - an interplay of parachute, canvas, and leather that sealed the deal.

Details like this detachable keychain are aplenty. It even has a detachable laptop case inside!

The Item: Bape x Mark McNairy Brogues

The king of collabs is back at it, y'all! After mashing up with Doc Martens a few months back to make some sick saddle shoes, Bape has now turned to Mark McNairy to bring us these killer longwing brogues. One look and you'll see both sides are represented quite well - Bape with its penchance for camo and McNasty with his sturdy suede construction and red brick sole. It would have made for a great first McNairy pair for me, but with the steep S$719 (around P24K) price tag, I've no choice but to sit this one out. Still, can't hurt to visit it every once in a while though!

I love shoes like this that mesh street and sophistication seamlessly.

It's even tastier up close. If only the price wasn't as jacked up, Mark!

The Item: uniform experiment Watch Strap

You remember the J.Crew x Timex military watch I bought a few months back? What I loved most about it was the versatility it offered because of its changeable strap. Well, I just fulfilled its potential a tad bit with this new band I bought from Japanese brand uniform experiment. Originally intended for the brand's collaboration with Benrus, I think it looks just as dashing with my J.Crew version. The red, white, and blue stripes gives a sportier look than the olive one I had and at a sale price of only S$35, frankly, I'm quite tempted to take a close look at the other colors too.

Yes - red, white, and blue again. What can I say, my favorite color combination!

The Item: Andy Warhol x Incase Accessories

Of all the countries in the world, I don't think anyone can top Singapore when it comes to iPhone penetration. Kids, teens, working class folk, hell, even grandma's playing with one, making it hardly the spectacle here. That's why choosing the right accessory is crucial if you're looking to differentiate yours from all the rest. If I may suggest, do check out these Incase x Andy Warhol cases at A Curious Teepee. A far cry from your basic protective shells, these limited edition pieces feature two iconic works from one of the most celebrated artists of all time. Yet another collaborative gem from Incase which brings pop art and protection together in one product!

The window display at A Curious Teepee, the exclusive distributors of the cases

The pop art camo is my first choice. S$79 but well worth it in my estimation.

The banana's a sweet alternative too. I think it'll blend well with my white phone!

The Item: Doc Martens Brogues + Saddles

The folks at Doc Martens just don't stop, do they? I've had numerous posts about the brand ever since I got here, but I just can't help but adding more. How can I, sir, when they're putting out bad ass classics like these brogues and saddles shoes, which put together all my favorite things? Chocolate brown leather and tan canvas paired on the upper, a chunky silhouette, and tough guy soles with a red-brick finish to boot! What I love most about Docs, though, is that they won't cost you and arm and a leg for their awesome designs. Yeah, each is S$209 a pop, but compared to similar shoes which have even less 'tude than these, I'd pick Docs every single time!

The wait for the perfect saddle shoe has ended! Oh, and those brogues ain't bad too!

The Item: Cheap Woven Bracelets (Part 2)

Woven bracelets have grown even more popular since I first wrote about them. I tried getting more here in Singapore, but the ones I found were either insanely priced or suspect in quality. That's why on a recent trip to Manila, I decided to load up again at my favorite wrist accessory shop, the Bead Shop stall at Rockwell Power Plant. I was going to get more monochromatic ones like last time, but I was told of a new service they do - you could choose 3 colors of string and they'll weave it for you for no extra charge! Ever the sucker, I obliged by going for my fave red, white and blue trio and mixed it up with a green-black-yellow number for good measure. To be quite honest, it's simple (cheap) pleasures like this that make me miss Manila even more!

Both bracelets for just P150? Now that's a damn bargain!

The Item: Head Porter Tanker Backpacks

Ever since I migrated to Singapore, I've only been home to Manila once - a short and unplanned overnight stay after our trip to Hong Kong that left much to be desired. Despite the briefness of it all, I managed to cram a lot of things in - meals out with my family, a haircut at Bruno's, a dinner date with my girlfriend, and oh, a little bit of catching up on the retail scene in the motherland too!

Dropped by Rockwell before I left to check out Univers, Homme et Femme's massive flagship at Rockwell One. In terms of offerings, the store simply has no peers and I don't just mean locally! Case in point, these Head Porter Tanker Backpacks which were nowhere in sight in Hong Kong. Man, if you're 24 like me and want to bring a backpack to work, this is exactly what it should look like - simple but with a not-so-subtle hint of cool. It's been three weeks since my visit and I'm still thinking about them. Definitely deserves a second look when I head back home soon!

Given my current military obsession, this is definitely the one I'm eyeing!

No trash-talking on the gray one, though. For all the minimalists out there.

I love the little pouch on the strap! Perfect for phones, wallets, and oft-misplaced MRT cards!