Summertime inspires a completely different sense of style (for one, the weather calls for it). This season will always be about a little more skin, lighter fabrics and warmer colors. Ahead, we encourage you to mix things up with your personal wardrobe—be it through style experiments, out-of-the-box accessorizing or color stories. These eclectic, adventurous and talented stylists are just the right folks to lead the way. They not only talk the talk but walk the walk and lead by some very stylish examples.
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One thing I’ve been trying to incorporate into my styling this season is color. I usually go for darker hues and neutrals because I’m really into grunge, streetwear and sometimes glam. This summer though, I’ve been trying to liven up my style with splashes of bright hues like orange, red, and royal blue. It’s not always as easy to style as muted tones, but it comes across as more fun, fresh, and more season-appropriate for me.
Scout x Sephora shot by Miguel Alomajan, styled by Jill de Leon and Matt Panes with hair and makeup by Slo Lopez
I think well-known fast fashion brands like Zara, Forever 21, H&M, and Topshop have a lot of colorful pieces, but local brands shouldn’t be overlooked! I find that the pieces from the likes of SM Woman, SM Youth, Penshoppe, Oxygen, and Bench have been stepping it up in terms of design. Our indie brands are good as well. Some of my recent favorites are Tropa Store, Royalty, and Copper.
I saw the distinct play on color on the Spring 2018 runways at fashion week and, since I always make it a point to inject new trends into my wardrobe, I took this element and made it my own. I think my favorite executions of this are from Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Acne Studios.
Givenchy. Photo: Monica Feudi / Indigital.tv | Balenciaga. Photo: Monica Feudi / Indigital.tv | Acne Studios. Photo: Marcus Tondo / Indigital.tv |
If you’re more on the conservative side, you can try out this trend by adding just a pop color or by using minimal accents. You can pair your go-to white button-down and jeans combo with a striking pair of orange flats, for example. It’s simple, but it’s an instant upgrade. If you’re feeling a little more saucy, why not try dressing in head-to-toe red? Sure it’s been done on formal occasions, but for more casual separates, a full look in a bold color will surely turn heads.
I’ve been cropping my own tops like old shirts, crewnecks and other outerwear. It’s a fun opportunity to get crafty (thank you, Fine Arts degree). [laughs] But I’ve always been a DIY kind of person anyway. I usually cut out the lower part or hem of the tops to make them look like midriff-skimming pieces. For me, this is an alternate take on the ongoing high-waist fashion trend where people usually just tuck their shirts into their bottoms, which tends to keep air in. I do cut-off tops because they’re more comfy, more summer-friendly and they look more stylish, too!
The pieces I rework are usually those I’ve worn out already and find boring. [Laughs] I revamp them so they mesh well with my current style. But sometimes, I shop for tops from the ukay-ukay or cheap fast fashion stores for the sole purpose of cutting them later on. I usually crop oversized sweaters, hoodies and shirts because the end result works well for me: very boxy and relaxed, which I personally like.
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I’ve been drawn to throwback fashion (like the eras of the ’90s and early 2000s). This is where I get my inspiration. Though for the cropped top looks, I was initially inspired by the boys of the ’70s and ’80s like Johnny Depp, Noah Hathaway and Will Smith. I fell in love with their cropped jerseys and tees from that era because they worked unconventionally well with these masculine bodies. And so I saw myself starting off with cropping one top…then two…and the rest is history!
Since my tip involves a do-it-yourself execution, I think people can try it out for themselves by cropping old, loose boring shirts—just so they don’t get disappointed if ever they aren’t fond of the outcome. They can also crop their shirts gradually, working their way up the hemline to see how the piece looks with different lengths (I like cutting my tops so they end up in line with the belly button). They can wear it with comfy oversized sweatpants or, on hotter days, with loose-fitting walking shorts. A simple high-waist skirt will work well, too. The cropped top plus high-waist bottom combo is really my favorite as it accentuates all the right parts of the body, too.
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Layering earrings! In particular, I love mixing big, eye-catching pieces with small and dainty ones.
I get most of my earrings from Yesstyle. They've got an incredible selection of affordable earrings, so that's the first place I check when I'm looking for something in particular. They're based in Hong Kong but offer free shipping for purchases above P2,000, so I usually buy in large amounts or cull orders from others. I also get more minimalist earrings in sets from H&M and Aldo.
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I’ve always been intrigued by constellation piercings, so I got inspiration from those. I also follow a Korean beauty vlogger, Heizle, who loves to mix and match earrings and has the most adorable collection. Hours of watching her videos and double-tapping her Instagram posts eventually got me here.
via @heizlemakeup on Instagram
Start out small. If statement pieces are still daunting, I suggest piling on small, geometric shapes first. When you feel like you're ready to go for the bigger pieces, go crazy! Also, while this style tip works best for people with multiple ear piercings (I’m guilty of impulsively getting pierced for the sake of the look), women who don't want to commit can always fake it 'til they make it. Use adjustable ear cuffs to create the illusion of a helix piercing!
Summertime in the Philippines is just too hot, so my styling tendencies have been leaning more toward a sexy but boyish aesthetic. To offset the “too showy” ensemble, I make it street by pairing revealing pieces with baggy ones, sneakers and then caps or beanies.
I always get the best clothes to pull off this kind of look at thrift shops around the metro (especially the ones in Cubao!)
I usually shuffle from that “Rihanna Bad Gal Swag” to “Dua Lipa Sexy Athleisure” to “Tara Chandra Art Girl.” I love looking for inspo from brands like FENTY, Dolls Kill, Opening Ceremony and UNIF.
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There is always a common denominator in all the looks I do and that is: I bombard the ensemble with colors! Whatever your taste, whatever pieces you wear, I hope you find the courage to stand out and be the rainbow in the crowd!
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Art Alexandra Lara
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