The Item: Suede Sperry Top-siders

Among all materials, suede is definitely one of the hardest to maintain. That said, it may just also be the most awesome. What I love about 'em is how they are so different from the rough and tough materials we're all used to. Touch them and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Now why all this love for suede, you ask? Well, the fine folks from Rugged Sole sent over some pictures of Sperry's wonderful Spring 2010 collection. My top picks: the classic Top-siders done in yummy sand and navy blue suede. Unsurprisingly, the boat shoe masters did what they do best, taking something so classic and freshening them up. Not available yet here in Manila, but hey, you can always order them online if need be!

Love how the navy suede and tan sole come together!

This'll get dirty in a hurry, but damn it, it's totally worth it!

Photos courtesy of Rugged Sole

The Item: Adidas Philippine Range

If you're like me, you've probably grown sick of the knockoff Adidas Philippine flag jackets practically every stall in Greenhills sells. Adidas stopped making them years ago, people, so get over it! To tell you the truth, I wasn't really fond of the flag design to begin with. A flag on the jacket just seemed to...literal. If you were to ask me what a wonderful patriotic jacket looked like, it would be minimalistic with a play on the flag's trademark colors.

Redeeming themselves quite well, Adidas did exactly that. With a bevy of celebrities supporting the campaign (even more to follow after the post), Adidas launches the all new Philippine range, with a design aesthetic that I can all but wholeheartedly get behind. The diagonal stripes on the jacket offer a fresher, more modern take without taking away the essence of the flag. And the simplicity of the horizontal stripes is a wonderful alternative too to those tired Collezione flag shirts.

Finally, a patriotic effort I can rock without hesitation. As for you, go get your jackets and shirts now as they go on sale today at all Adidas outlets nationwide. Hurry! Babies as hot as these typically don't last long, so don't you dare get left behind! You don't want to end up getting yours in Greenhills stalls now, do you?

Lia Cruz making the shirt look very flattering indeed

Drei Felix proving that the jacket's lightyears better than its predecessor

Well, well, well. JLC returns on the pages of ze blog!

Photos courtesy of Adidas

The Happening: Band of Outsiders SS 10

New quirky polaroid shots? This can only mean one thing: Mr. Sternberg's back with yet another collection from the much celebrated Band of Outsiders brand. As it is with his work, nothing really pops out (aside from the dip dyed oxford shirts), but why change a winning formula? Yes, we've seen it all before: the bow ties, the double-breasted coats, the folded up trousers, and yet somehow, Band changes it up just enough to have me convinced it's still fresh. Ah, Scott, you have fooled us all once again.

Aforementioned dip dyeds and an unsuspecting short shorts victim

Yeah, I'd wear that to go boating too

Honestly, nobody does double-breasteds better

The chambray shirt sure blends well with white

Photos courtesy of Band of Outsiders

The Art: Lebron and Dwight for McDonald's

This year's edition of the Superbowl was the most watched show ever, yes, ever in the US. It really doesn't surprise me all that much, though, because year in and year out, its ratings seem to be very high anyways. Which leads us to this: Because of the massive viewership, companies look at the event as an advertising gold mine, churning out their best stuff for this one night of grid iron glory.

This year's best comes from McDonald's, featuring two of the NBA's best young studs, Lebron James and Dwight Howard, duking it out in quite possibly the sickest dunk contest I've ever witnessed in my life. Yeah, a lot of you will argue that the dunks are doctored by special effects, but damn it, have you seen Lebron sky? He can do that crossover between the legs dunk easy...in his sleep. Too bad he won't be entering the official contest. What a pansy.

The Art: Bench Pinoy Lab Exhibit

It's a rarity for people to really consider clothes as art. Maybe the fact that they're too common gives the impression that there's nothing else to marvel at. A shame, because in fact, what we wear is really our own artwork, our own masterpiece to the world. Anyhow, the point I'm driving at is that much like paintings, sculptures, and installations, clothes should have, even every once in a while, a showcase it can call its own.

That's why I was excited to hear about the exhibit put together by the Bench group called "Objects, Garments, Ornaments" held at the 3rd floor of the Dimensione Building in Bonifacio High Street. It houses Bench, Human, and Kashieca's collaborations with several celebrated local designers, including my hands-down favorite, Joey Samson. The best thing about it for me is that if you like what you see, you can get to bring it home!

While I didn't find anything of interest, the idea was great and we could really always use a lot more events like this that rightfully romanticize clothing. Kudos to Bench for the initiative, now if we can only talk about minimizing the use of your brand name in your clothes.

A new take on the Spanish elistista look

Highlighting the immortal khaki + white combination

A nice jacket alongside my favorites from the exhibit

Joey Samson's modern terno looks so damn fresh!

Charming printed tops to cap the night

The Happening: Lazy Saturday Out

It's been super stressful at work lately (thus the recent lack of posts), so yesterday, I made myself a promise that it will be nothing but a day of relaxation. Woke up after 12, had a haircut, and went out with my girlfriend for dinner - a laid back day in the truest sense of the word.

I felt that it translated in my outfit too. I like wearing shorts for carefree days and the colorful button-down muted by the gray cardi combo worked out well. The chunky Common Projects -esque Stan Smiths worn "sockless" sealed the outfit. Considering how relieved I felt after, this Saturday was definitely the break I needed and deserved!

Topman Gray Cardigan, American Eagle Button-down
Old Navy Shorts (folded), Adidas Stan Smiths