Recently in Hmmm... Category

I can go on and on about my love for Alexander McQueen's skulls. I have a thing for skulls and I especially like it when they are incorporated in my clothing. So season after season, the trademark of Mr McQueen is spun into varying versions. 

I paused when I saw this interpretation. The skull motif is obvious and bold which is how it should be. But I don't feel anything for the patchwork detail. On closer inspection, the patchwork is varied and interesting. However, it has the ability to easily overwhelm. 

You would need to be able to carry loud prints off and make them look cool. Any lesser and well, this tee would look like it's wearing you. Which is never good. So I am on the fence on this one - yay for the patchwork intricacy and boldness but nay for the fact that lesser beings, like myself, can't pull this off. 

Get this Alexander McQueen Patchwork Skull Tee for US$348.30 at Matches.  

Rick Owens, makes dark beautiful clothes that have details that really draw you in. His dark, Gothic aesthetic is lean, mysterious and strong although I don't know if the prices of his pieces go with the anti-establishment sentiment of said goth movement. But nevertheless, there are always individuals like the AFI guys (one of my fav bands) who can certainly afford his pieces. 

I digress. I saw this pair of jeans and I was inexplicably drawn to the zipper detail. It instantly gives an edge and an elevation of toughness that goes perfectly with this pair of jeans. The flap on the front pocket provides another sliver of detail that I really dig. 

But then I look at the back and I am greeted with two jumbo pockets that honestly just spoil it for me. Their sheer size take away the sleekness of this piece and really just look unnecessary. Plus, they would look too overwhelming if you are shorter than 5'10. Which is a shame because aside from the pockets, this is a kick-ass pair of jeans. Shame.

Get this Rick Owens Drkshdw Black Aircut Zip Denim for US$634 at Oak. 

It is not a secret that not every piece that is shown on the runways make it to the stores. Some add to the collective vision of the runway show without being actual pieces that non-models can actually (or want to) carry off. There is also the factor of cost - most consumers would very much prefer mileage out of their ready-to-wear pieces; the more the better. 

Which is why I am surprised that this apron got made. I understand the Alexander McQueen envelope-pushing vision - from human skulls on t-shirts to lampshades at hats. But an apron? Seriously? Well, I guess it is seriously after since it is sold at Barneys at a whopping US$2335. 

The price tag is one issue but more importantly, where would one wear an apron? If you wear this to run errands, people might just mistake you for the person working behind the meat counter. And just what are you supposed to wear it with? The mannequin at Barneys is wearing a work shirt and grey pants - even for a creative environment, this is very much pushing it. 

The worst thing is - it doesn't even look chic or stylish. It might look edgy to some but it's more scary than edgy but there are far cheaper ways to scare the people you and make a statement. Way cheaper. 

Find this Alexander McQueen Butcher's Apron for US$2335 at Barneys.

I am a huge fan of Maison Martin Margiela's work. He's a visionary and very forward. I admire his aesthetic and sense of individualism.

That said, however, there are some pieces of his that make me scratch my head. Like this one. I dig its sci-fi vibe and influence but it's just unwearable. And I don't think it's flattering at all - no matter how great your features are.

It's too wide and it's too tall and unless you're really blessed with chiseled, angular features - this won't be feasible at all. Really cool but just not as wearable. Or maybe I am just not cool enough for this but I prefer to think the former than the latter....

Find this for US$494.94 at Oki-Ni.

I have a personal shopping criteria these days: I only buy stand-out pieces. No more generic, same old same old designs for me. As I get older, I should better edit my wardrobe and think before I whip out my piece of plastic.

These pair of boots have that stand-out quality. I am digging the wrap detail and the elastic strap closure. Futuristic and different - this is a pair that would be admired. I also like the sheen on the leather - it further adds a hit of sleekness to this pair. 

Which is why I really don't get the chunky rubber sole. I mean look at it, it completely steals attention from the wrap elastic band detail. It looks clumsy and not all at sleek which in itself is a contrast to the chicness of the top portion of this pair of boots. 

If they had just used a regular sized sole, this would have been a pair to covet instead this leaves me hot and cold and in my book, that means skip it and move on. 

Get this for US$995 at Barneys.

The New York Times had an article 2 weeks ago that made me think about the perennial favorite: flip-flops and where exactly do they fit into the whole scheme of dressing up/down. In the article, Jason Kilar, the CEO of Hulu; an online video service - talks about his penchant for wearing flip-flips to work and the office.

Of course, he can get away with anything; being the CEO and all. But it is also a known fact that certain industries/companies like IT firms, Google, Microsoft, advertising firms leave the the choice of dressing up to their employees and I applaud that. While also at the same time understanding why certain industries say; law firms and banks, require a strict dress code. Would you want the private banker that you are going to trust him/her with your hard-earned dough to meet you wearing a Hawaiian shirt and rubber flip flops? No matter how you spin it - first impressions count.

I do get the greatness and comfort that is flip-flops. When I was working in Seattle for a great start-up company, there were no dress codes, and in the Summer, everyone came in shorts and flip-flops and that added to the relaxed vibe in the office. And since, it was a start-up, you could get away with most anything.

But personally, I just can't wear flip-flops to the office and I have a hard enough time to wear them with jeans while running errands. For a lack of a better term, I feel naked and exposed. Like something's missing.  

Picture of Zac Efron to prove my point and more after the jump!

I love fashion and I spend a considerable amount of money yearly on my wardrobe. I remember the days when $500 for a pair of shoes and $75 for a tee shirt was considered ridiculous. You would be hard pressed to find that kind of price now. With most shoes above $750 and tee shirts in the 3 figure range, $500 for a pair of lace-ups would be considered a bargain today.

It was this Julius Cut & Sew tee that got me thinking - not so much the tee itself but rather its alarming asking price: US$350. Have we gotten so accustomed to hefty price tags that we no longer question anymore? And if so, how much is too much then?

I have paid much more that $350 for shoes, blazers, jeans and shirts. That's because I see the intrinsic value and the timeless designs of said pieces and I know that I will wear them for years and years and years to come.

But I draw the line at paying $350 for a mere tee shirt. This tee looks simple and it is pretty simple and on a closer inspection, you can see intentionally created holes and abrasions on the neckline, sleeves and hem. I get the whole distressed, grunge rock thing and in fact, I love that movement and its pent-up frustrated, angst-y garment manifestations. I know that I will outgrow said phase one day in the future and can I still rock this strategically destroyed tee when I am 35? I don't think so. And what would Kurt Cobain say if he knew how much this was?

This is far too much to pay for a tee-shirt that is neither silk nor cashmere. It's resin-coated cotton with a waxy feel - now that just sounds like it would give me a rash so how can anyone expect you and me to part with $350 for a piece of clothing that might just trigger skin allergies?