Do you remember the time when I could not be bothered to look good because I paid so little attention to my outfits? Well, my blog does. 😅
Then I realized how making a simple upgrade to my style just made me feel better overall. It does feel empowering, you know. Every outfit that I chose to rock—despite getting shot at with those disapproving looks for not dressing "like a mom" because I love to flash my belly button out—is a reminder that I can be anything.
For this trip, I prepared about ten outfits. Yes, ten! However, our seven-day trip was unexpectedly cut short, so I only got to wear five.
The idea was to wear something fresh and appropriate for a hot and humid country.
I would have loved to put on some light layers just for the aesthetics, but I'm pretty sure my armpits will go on a wild and violent protest. I also thought about wearing a summer dress or that plaid top and mini skirt set I've been meaning to wear for a long time. But I'm afraid I will have that Marilyn Monroe moment while running after two hyperactive toddlers. Or one of them will lift the back of my skirt up and expose whatever horror has been kept hidden there. 😝
So after a few days of planning, I came up with outfits that will still show some skin to keep me cool from the sweltering heat without putting myself at risk for an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.
Yes, OOTD planning is one of my favorite parts about traveling. I like getting creative. But I am never really too eager to go overboard with the spending. So, here are the budget-friendly outfits that I wore in a fine, sophisticated, first-world country, Singapore:
Outfit #1
This is what I wore at the Singapore Zoo. The goal was to look like a zookeeper but make it stylish.
Love the blazer and short set. Still thinking where else can I wear this. |
I have a new pair of shoes!
And it's one of the most beautiful shoes I've ever laid my eyes on.
I know I don't need another one. Call it absurd, a weakness, a toxic trait, or whatever. But shoes do make me happy. Probably because I may have been healing from my "past traumas". You know, the time when we couldn't afford such. Growing up, I've never really owned more than one pair at a time, and it is usually a tad bigger for my feet just so I can use it longer until it gets worn through the soles.
When I started working, majority of my shoes were from ukay-ukay. I did "splurge" but I would still limit my choices only to the items displayed on the discounted rack and never bought anything more than Php1,000 because that was already a luxury for me.
I have been skinny for as long as I can remember. While I can devour a truckload of burgers and still not gain a pound, being cursed with a metabolism that burns up calories more quickly than I can eat isn't always a good thing.
I always had trouble finding clothes that fit me well. Size extra small (XS) is not exactly easy to find. Plus size women have a shop and an entire clothing line dedicated for them. But for the petite size? Not much. And I cannot always shop for children's clothes if I want to be taken seriously.
So, I'd usually end up with these constricting, figure-hugging clothes because it's the only way for me to look womanly and accentuate my low-key curves. If I wear anything loose and comfier, it would be impossible to tell me and a coat hanger apart.
But lately, the baggy fashion is making its way back to the runway and, without a doubt, I immediately jumped into it. Such has always been my thing.
What I wore in our high school class reunion last December 2022. The shirt is medium. |
Perhaps I have not made it very obvious but I've said this before: I am addicted to boots—even if it is something I know I cannot wear regularly here in the tropics.
Anyway, I finally got my very first Dr. Martens!
Hands down to the coolest, sickest, and most badass shoes I've ever seen.
I love how I can rock the boots with anything. |
I never thought I'd experience a heartbreak far worse than a break up.
I was never really a sandal girl. My toes look funny and ugly to be wearing one. But I have always wanted a pair of Birkenstock. They are not exactly attractive but they go well with my manly feet. They are also easy to wear and can go with anything—jeans, shorts, even dresses!
The malls here sell them for more than Php5,000. And each time they go on sale, I would slip one on in hopes that one day I would finally give in and get myself a pair. But every single time, I'd take it off with an expected dismay. Because every single time, it doesn't feel right.
I get it. I pay for the brand and durability. But if I'm paying for something that steep, I would have to pay for comfort as well. At my age, comfort has become my deciding factor for everything. Seats, accommodation, car, clothing, and so on. Apparently, the Birks do not have it. At least, not on the first try.
I settled for different brands that have a similar look to the classic Birkenstock Arizona because they feel much more comfortable. Unfortunately, they didn't last that long.
And then yesterday, strangely enough, I finally own a pair of authentic Birkenstock Arizona sandals. I love them. I've always wanted them. But wearing them for the first time wasn't as magical as it did with my brand new sneakers. (New Balance 574 ftw!) If anything, it was unsurprisingly anticlimactic.
That's Chino, our adopted cat. |
I find this funny, ridiculous, and stupid because I am living in a hot, humid, tropical country where boots are an abomination. And I got 3 pairs!
But before you raise an eyebrow on me for having 3 freakin' pairs that is more useless than a white crayon, let me tell you how it started.
I bought my first pair because I needed one for a Farm-themed party.
I got these ankle boots on sale for P899 (from P1,899). To save this from becoming a single-wear item like how most boots tend to be, I used this in my travels to Taiwan and Japan. It is not as comfy as any of my sneakers (duh), but it does not hurt my feet and that is important. It does well in long walks. The only thing that makes me want to take it off is the annoying tapping sound it makes everytime I walk.
I proceeded to a nearby mini grocery afterwards to buy something and left the prized ukay-ukay at the baggage counter where you can just put your things in a box and trust that nobody else will get them. Of course, I've been there a lot of times and so far, no one has taken away my stuff.
I bought the things I needed, went back to the baggage counter, and to my dismay, my jacket was gone! There was a similar red sando bag that's left there but it was full of children's clothes. No one claimed it. So I figured, whoever owned that bag accidentally picked mine. I told the staff to send me a text message in case the owner returns my jacket and claim hers (yes, I assumed she's a mom who bought clothes for her kid).
Honestly, losing eighty pesos is not a big deal for me. What upsets me the most is that it's not all the time you can score an expensive item that's rock-bottom cheap. I really hate this word but, sayang. Bihira lang yung ganon.
I could sulk all I want for losing something I've always wanted to have and probably will never have unless I see another one from the thrift shop (brand new leather jackets are expensive and cheap leather jackets in mint condition are elusive) but that's only going to draw negative energy. I believe in the Law of Attraction. Positive thoughts can draw positive energy, leading to positive events in life. With that kind of mindset, I have easily moved on and decided that the leather jacket is not what I really need for our Korea trip that's happening in four months. Excited masyado, te? Haha.
I might have lost a jacket BUT on the bright side, I am one of the chosen bloggers invited by Uniqlo for a styling event with Pia Wurtzback and stylist/designer Bea Constantino, leading to the reopening of their biggest store in Mindanao this July 19, 2019. I am a fan of this brand so this is huge for me. And who knows? Maybe I can score the perfect outfit for autumn from there.
I really should take styling seriously. Ever since I've been doing this, more doors have been opened for me. Btw, my coat is also from ukay-ukay, P30. |
Update:
Day 3, the jacket was returned. Now all I have to worry about is how to clean the thing without ruining it. 😅
Sending out positive vibes to everyone! Have a nice day!
He scored an ultralight down jacket for only P1,990. Not bad, I must say. And he was quick to shop. Unlike me, I was torn between colors that it took me quite some time to choose. Picture this, if we were in the battlefield, Jan already got his target acquired with a shot gun and his finger on the trigger. I, on the other hand, will be killed before I even got to choose what weapon to use (mind you, by standards, I shop faster than 90% of girls).
There's no way I'm going to buy a 3k worth of item that I could use probably once or twice in every two years. I was about to settle halfheartedly for the cute red one (don't get me wrong, I love red) when I, like any other female, hopped from one rack to another at the risk of buying more things I don't apparently need.
And I'm glad I did.
I found the same jacket in my favorite color at the kid's section for only P990!
I was doing okay with my casual style until one day, I got into a job position that requires meeting and interacting with some of the big names in the industry. From then on, I set all my life bars higher, including my style.
December 28, 2017. Claire and Karren's wedding. |
This is why I preferred keeping this blog clean from sponsors and ads. Somehow I took the bait and now I feel a little pressured to consistently update this blog with POSITIVE content. I definitely miss those times when I had tons of shit to say without feeling a single ounce of guilt or worry. But right now, that's not going to happen.
My role as a Vice President of Davao's premier blogging community will be interacting with PR managers and probably big names from known brands. My usual jeans and shirt would be too underwhelming. And I hate to think that I might sell myself short just because I have not made an effort to look, if not impressive, at least presentable. Bad impressions have higher chances of breaking deals, you know.
Last Thursday, I did the unthinkable.
Okay, the "need to dress my age" part is not true at all. I was, honestly, left with no choice because all my clothes are still in the laundry, and that includes all the four jeans I have.
I finally understood why some women do not like wearing jeans. All this time I was led to believe that these closet staples are the comfiest, being conservative and non-restrictive to movement, but my whole life has been a lie.
I love how this hangs like a skirt but is actually pants. I hope this style lasts a long time because I'd like to make it my closet staple like how I did with jeans. |
"Ilang taon po ang susuot, maam?"
"10."
I lied.
"Congratulations! You deserve that!"
"Thanks! But I want to add something right there."
There was a pause.
"I want to win a Palanca," I told Jan flat out loud.
He gave me an eager look as he continued to listen to me and my absurd dreams.
I rolled my eyes, gave out a soft sigh, and blurted, "I just do not know how to do it."
You see, I've read this year's winning entries - mostly from established writers, journalist, and columnists - and I certainly do not make the cut.