Commuting in Style: Quick shift from day to night look

I find it quite ironic how my previous blog entry has talked about "starting over" and yet, as soon as I hit my life's "reboot" button, the sooner I slip back to my old habits. By that I mean being absent from blogging (or social media) for the past week. Aaaaw. Hmmm... It's been a little frustrating because I really want myself to  efficiently multitask, but it seems like I need to push so much harder on achieving that. Every time work comes up, I don't know why, but it has its own way of consuming most of my time and energy, and that just drains me, making me unable to blog anymore.

Despite everything, my disposition in life remains positive. This mind-set requires me to believe that what happened is just a tiny setback that I can easily reverse as I continue to figure out how to master the art of time management and juggling multiple tasks.

Before I go on over and over about this, I'm stopping myself right at the second paragraph to give way for my entry's real topic for today. You see, the core and most important pieces of advice here in my Commuting in Style segment are all stated in my pilot entry, Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety. Most of my tips there are probably quite similar to the ones you might just encounter in some of my future posts.

Now, one of the major dilemmas of fashionista commuters is changing looks from day to night. Imagine, you either have work or school in the morning till afternoon then after, you need to go directly to a dinner or event in the evening. 

Again, like what I always say, I'm not an expert on anything. Everything I say in this segment is purely based on experience. I know the feeling of how burdensome it is, tiis-ganda lang ang peg, when dealing with this situation. So how do I manage to wing it?

1. Choose a versatile closet piece that'll last till night

To those who have their own cars, this will never be a grave predicament. All they have to do is put their items in the trunk and conveniently change at the backseat. But since you don't have the luxury of time and space to do so, you have no other choice but to pick one and that's it! 

Bringing extra clothes is impractical. It will be such a hassle to carry along a heavy bag during a lengthy walk on the side road and foot bridges; especially on public transport vehicles. Also, switching to a completely different ensemble is too tedious; not to mention, very time consuming.

For this outfit, I decided to stick with my cute floral dress and popping yellow blazer

2. It's either a minor add-on or take-off 

If you really can't stand wearing the exact same outfit during the day to your night affair, fine, you may pack just one additional clothing. Example, wear a casual dress and put on a sequined blazer at night for instant glam. If you're donning separates like a skirt and a blouse, or a shirt and pants; just modify either the top or the bottom piece.

You can also choose to take off something instead. I've had one of those days when what I did was I wore a bodycon dress and put on over a maxi skirt and sandals. When I got to the event, I made a quick change by getting rid of my skirt and slipping on some sexy pumps then I was so ready to party!

Switched my red flats to Parisian boots, black tassel necklace and black and gold accessories

3. Shoes and accessories will do it
When you're already feeling good about your evening ensemble, then just seal the deal with a change of heels and accessories - two of the easiest things to add in your look. Meanwhile, accessories are the lightest items to have in your handbag.

4. Make-up: The best change of all

If you're too lazy to bring anything at all, simply put on make-up for an effortless yet dramatic transformation. You can either do a smoky eye and dab a red lipstick; or in my case, I just sweep heavy eyeliner and mascara then I'm done!

From bare face, I added a dash of pink lip tint and swiped some liquid eyeliner

It's definitely a tough act to balance practicality and style especially when you have to be at different places and various occasions all in just one day. Add "commuting" as a factor and most of you would probably just go for the easy way out and not dress up at all. However, there are always a lot of means to go around it. If there's a will, there's a way! Cheers to us fashionista commuters!

BTW, let me know if you find these tips useful. If there are topics about budget shopping and commuting in style tips that you want me to blog about, feel free to tell me! Happy Friday everyone, I miss you all!

Photo Credits: Paul Chuapoco

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Commuting in Style: Anything goes in wearing prints

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered so many views and feedback. For that, I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this has inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

Denim Jacket Thrifted | Dress Gifted | Bag c/o Freeway

Times have certainly changed. In the past, wearing a "print-on-print" ensemble was just a trend. Today, prints have become a part of our everyday style. A creative mix of florals, animal skins, stripes, polka dots, and tribal prints never fails to make an eye-catching statement.

If you ask me, there are no definitive set of rules on how to wear prints. Still, you just can't pile on the prints and expect them to blend perfectly without a little effort. A daredevil stylephile may go all-out and crazy with it, and in the end, manage to pull it off. However, not many of us possess that gift.   

In wearing prints, most of us would want to look well put-together rather than a random mess. Without any "expertise" on this matter, let me share with you how I go about injecting prints and patterns to my own personal style. 

1. Pay attention to the color and texture of the garment

Let the fabric speak to you. O ha, parang baliw lang, haha. Lay down all your clothes first and check out which ones seem to go well together. In her blog, I remember Camille Co saying that there should be at least one color/shade/palette which is related to the rest of the items in your outfit.

This is true to a certain extent. If you notice my outfit, you'd see that accents of brown are consistent in my look. However, you may also go on a completely opposite direction and avoid coordinating the colors and prints. A balanced contrast is a good thing, just like this acid wash jacket, yellow zebra print dress and colorful canvass tote bag.

2. Have a fashion inspiration

What I always do is I surf the web for style blogs and e-mags that I could use for reference. Magazine editorials are also very helpful. I make sure that I don't just put a personal spin to it, but also make it appropriate for my lifestyle.

3. Do not excessorize

A print is a show-stopper in itself. Do not overkill by layering too much accessories. Remember that when commuting, your outfit is already a head-turner so keep everything else plain and simple as much as possible. Kung hindi, baka tuluyan ka nang ma-hold up nyan teh, haha!

4. At least one item in solid color

You have the option to discard this tip. If you want to go printed literally from head to toe, including your shoes, socks, bag, accessories and everything, go ahead! Ikaw na, bongga ka teh! But realistically speaking, I personally think you shouldn't over-do it. Some prints just call for a single pairing. For example this ensemble, I went for brown boots and stacked a few black and brown thin bangles. 

P.S. Was wearing flats during public transport.

Boots c/o Shoe Etiquette

5. Confidence is the only key

Sometimes we have a feeling that a certain style or trend would only fit "certain people". We tend to be too hard on ourselves, yung tipong, sa kanya lang naman bagay yun eh. Well change the mind set, will you? Yes "prettier" girls may have a way of wearing anything with their faces as their saving grace when all else fails.

Go and face the mirror, now na. What do you see? You are looking at a beautiful person who's deserving to wear anything that her heart desires. Carry lang girl! You can't buy confidence. It's something that you have to harness from within. Work on that! 

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From a fashionista commuter's perspective, these are just a few factors on how to successfully wear prints. A good deal of practice and research will also help you hone your print-on-print palate. Only a few could pull off such a daring look but again, just be confident and proud. It's the only way so never fear to go for a graphic get-up every single day.

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Commuting in Style: Applying it in real life

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered many views and feedback and I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this has inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

For another Commuting in Style segment, I'll take a break from the usual how-to format and show you the "application" of the things that I've talked about in my past blog entries. But before everything else, here's what I was caught wearing: sheer tunic with floral bodycon dress worn underneath, F-STOP boots and my everyday bag.

Sheer tunic Thrifted | Floral bodycon dress (underneath) c/o Closet Chic | Boots F-STOP | Necklace c/o Diva 

"Commuting in Style" Tip of the Week:
Never mind repeating items for forever.

Just in case you haven't notice, I've been using the same Accessorize gray messenger bag for so many outfits already. So many that I lost count on how often I've used it. For budget and fashionista commuters like me (raise your hand), conscious spending and practicality is our lifestyle. Never be ashamed to keep on repeating and repeating and repeating. It doesn't make you less of a person and not even close to being less fashionable if you do.

To those who can afford having too many bags, that they can change everyday for about a month (or more), this is a totally different story. Sometimes I even find it funny when other people tell you it's "okay" to repeat clothes only to find out they've only worn a certain item twice, thrice or a few counts more. Regular people repeat outfits for as long as they like.

To refresh your memories, here are my previous tips:
1. Safety always comes FIRST.
2. Never forget your flats.
3. Don't get your bling on yet.
4. Save your stylish self for later.

To read more details about each tip, make sure you check my entry, Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety (click on the link). And for you to see how I actually look while I commute... tadah!

The change is really subtle but little details like these make commuting safer without totally compromising your sense of style. 

Above is a before-and-after photo to give you an idea. And oh, one last tip: find a really stylish bag that'll fit your heels. I'm carrying a studded one so it's really not that obvious. I know, bringing another bag seems too much of a hassle but who ever said things are way too easy? It's not. It never is. If you want to be a fashionista, well, magtiis-ganda ka, haha!

P.S. I haven't chosen a giveaway winner yet. I'm still finding the time to collate all entries. Hope you can still wait! Thanks guys! :) 

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Commuting in Style: Simple outfits made interesting

My very first set of tips in my Commuting in Style segment garnered so many views and feedback and I'd really like to thank my readers for being supportive. The feeling of being relevant to a group of people is overwhelming and this inspired me to keep on writing for this blog series whenever I have the time.

In my previous post, I told you guys that Globe has invited me to the premiere night of Won't Last A Day Without You, a local movie starring Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson. Because I've been completely catching up with my backlogs due to my busy work schedule, the movie has already passed and doing a complete movie review about it would be useless since almost everyone (in the entertainment category) has written about it. Unlike my in-depth Rosario movie review, I decided not to publish any article about this rom-com movie anymore.

But overall, it was a pleasant but crazy experience and I've witnessed how fans are truly committed to the stars they idolize. Thanks again to  Globe  for inviting me. :)

Detachable collar DIY | Bangles and silver pearl ring Bazaar | Tiger ring SM Dept. Store | 

For the premiere night, I decided to go for something very laid-back and comfortable. The camera battery ran out but thank God, JR got me one great shot which showcases what I wore that day (the other shot, well I had my eyes closed, haha). Having only one photo and another cropped in so many ways will make this blog entry incredibly dull. But since I didn't want this outfit to go to waste, I opted to provoke attention by writing another entry in my  Commuting in Style  series!

I know not all of my readers are fashion bloggers and there are a lot of you who find it really difficult to pull off the type of outfits that we wear on our blogs - overly styled and excessively accessorized. It's even harder to dress up if you're a fashionista commuter like me. However, like what I always say, achieving a balance between safety, comfort and fashion is possible. And the same goes with dressing up simply and at the same time being your fasyon self.

Over-sized tunic Thrifted | Bag c/o Accessorize | Shoes & socks SM Dept. Store

Accessories ALWAYS Do The Trick

It always boils down to accessorizing. Mix and matching your rings, bangles, bracelets, necklaces, and hair pieces can instantly transform any outfit. Just wear a different set of trinkets every time you wear the same outfit and you don't have to worry because it will never look the same. 

To give you the core of this outfit, let me share to you what I wore:

1) an overly loose tunic (with denim shorts underneath)

2) my gray everyday messenger bag courtesy of Accessorize

3) classic black boots from SM Department Store

Simplicity doesn't equate to being boring. And to avoid completely looking like a plain Jane and to stay true to myself, I accessorized (as simple as that)! I put on: spiked earrings, tiger ring and checkered socks all from SM, self-made detachable collar, silver bangles and pearl rings from a bazaar.

P.S. While on public transport, remove all your accessories first and put them on at the comfort room when you get to your destination. :)

Make a Statement with Your Bag or Shoes

I kept everything else on this outfit low-profile because I'd like to highlight my quirky and colorful detachable collar. But if I were to put on this outfit again, I'd definitely wear it differently by adding a printed bag or slipping on a pair of printed or show stopper heels. That would make a totally different story.

If you're not an accessory-type of person, then keep the accessories on a minimum and go for statement bags and/or shoes instead. Wear something with attractive prints, bursting pop of colors or weird design and unique forms.

P.S. When commuting, wear your trusty flats first then slip on those statement heels when you get to the event. 

Practice Your Mix and Matching Skills

I was once totally clueless on how to effortlessly repeat outfits and be able to make them look brand new with every wear. For other people, it comes as a natural gift. For some of us, we would have to train ourselves for it. What I do is, I read ample fashion magazines (or blogs/websites). I always look for style inspirations on wardrobe sites like lookbook and chictopia. Plus, I practice at home by preparing outfits a few days in advance or just dress up for nothing, haha. Looking good also takes effort yah know. :) 

I hope in one way or another, this post has helped those fashionista commuters who wanted to look interesting but at the same time not over-the-top when they take public transport. To end this post, I'll share with you one of the many ways, I've worn this outfit. This was taken during one of my styling stints. Paired it with combat boots, red bowler hat, fur vest, dove necklace and black cuff. 

See? Looks totally different right? Another way I've worn this outfit as seen in this post.

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Commuting in Style: How I balance fashion, comfort and safety

My good friend and blog sister Aisa declared last October 18, 2011 as the National Day of Events for bloggers. Of course, that pronouncement was one of her many benta jokes. However, we (her fellow bloggers) couldn’t agree more. 

I’m not sure what was so special about that particular date but for some reason, it was the same day when the following events were scheduled: MTV Exit Press Conference, Canon Pixma Launch, Freeway X Manansala Special Tribute, Multiply Shopping Party and MEGA’s Fashion Crew Grand Finale Event.

It’s pretty practical to just choose one event among the bunch but on the contrary, it is ideal to attend everything on the list. I can picture you guys reading this and asking in your heads the big WHY with me throwing back a “WHY NOT?” at you.

But before I continue with what I have to say, (this is me having a disclaimer now, haha) you would probably judge that I’m such a hypocrite whenever I would go on and tell you about how tiring it is to be present to almost every event that I get invited to. Honestly, going to events (almost every day) really wears me out.

But being a freelancer, jumping from one project to another, my schedule is pretty much unpredictable because I don’t do an eight-hour routine job. My socially mobile nature subconsciously drives me to go whenever my planner tells me I can pretty much squeeze it in.

My income as a free agent depends on how many projects I book (some months doing so great, and some doing just okay) and gracing events gives me an advantage that helps me network, meet people and build contacts. Most importantly, I personally believe that attending (as long as I’m free) is a form of “courtesy” to the brands and PR agencies who have given my blog opportunities and exposure that I’m truly thankful for.

Taking into mind all these reasons, I knew that I couldn’t just choose one. And so, I went with the latter three. Realistically speaking, I’m not paid to go to any of these events and so, it was a practical move to keep myself busy with work during the day and have some fun later in the evening.

For this event-hoping night, I admit, I was pretty conscious of what my outfit would be. Being a “fashion blogger” there’s a certain pressure to keep up with what everyone would probably be wearing just so I would somehow “blend in” (to stand out is another option) in a sea of fasyon people.

Cardigan Vivienne Westwood | Bodycon dress Closet Chic | Boots Shoe Etiquette

But unlike a good number of fashion bloggers who can wear basically anything because they have their own cars, a fashionista commuter like me has always been in a constant struggle deciding on what I really want to wear without the fear of getting mugged in the (let’s be honest) not-so-safe streets of Manila.

It is indeed a tough act to juggle fashion, safety and comfort altogether. But I get by because I’ve been commuting all my life (mostly riding jeepneys, buses, trycicyles and trains) and it has opened my eyes to all the social realities out there.

1. Safety Always Comes FIRST. 

No matter where you’re going or what the occasion is, safety should always be your priority. You can’t always have someone else to accompany you and even riding a taxi doesn’t guarantee security.

When I pick out an item in my closet, I keep in mind my chances of attracting attention – good and bad. If possible, I prefer to remain unnoticed during my whole commuting period. My paranoia starts kicking in when people stare at me. There’s no way for me to know what each person is thinking. Who knows, I could be a target (yikes).

P.S. If it will be too dangerous for you to commute to an evening event, then don't go. I'm sure the person who invited you would understand. 

2. Never Forget Your Flats

No matter how comfortable you say your heels or wedges are, I strongly suggest you give your feet much love and wear flats first.

Commuting requires you to be quick on your feet. You need to be on the look out when you cross the streets and most of all, be alert for any danger. In my experience, heels can slow down your pace and can keep you distracted especially when you start to feel pain or when all you can think about is how to walk on them without slipping or falling flat on your face.

With a pair of comfy flats, you'll be able to walk so much faster and move with ease when you do long walks and climb the stairs (when crossing foot bridges or overpass). Just make sure these are the lightweight ones or the roll-in flats that come in a convenient packaging.

Thena killer boots courtesy of Shoe Etiqutte

  

3. Don't Get Your Bling On Yet

Fashion isn't worth any danger and so I try to maintain a really low profile bordering on wanting to be invisible when I commute. I pack all my accessories in a kit and wear them before I get to be seen in the event. 

Chunky necklaces, stack of bangles, statement rings - all these give your outfits that pow, umpf, whatever x-factor you call it. Wearing all these during travel will (let's face it) draw unnecessary attention. There will be a lot of avenues for you to express your creativity in your style. The jeepney, or the bus, the train, or the sidewalk is not the place for it though.

Printed bangle from Tomato, Tiger ring from SM Accessories, the rest from F-STOP

4. Save Your Stylish Self for Later

Always prepare for two looks. Dress down as a random commoner on the way and when you get there, transform into the trendsetter that you really are. It’s not as difficult as it sounds like. When you do this, make sure these two looks comprise of almost the same pieces of your planned outfit. Transforming to the second look can be as simple as adding something or taking out a piece from your ensemble.

One of your options is to use a bigger bag that can house an extra top and/or a pair of shoes. Dress comfortably first and when you reach your destination, head first to the comfort room, change your top, slip on those heels and don't forget to retouch your make-up.

My usual trick when I commute is I put on a blazer or any kind of cover-up first, and then remove it afterwards. I always aim to look as plain (or covered) as I can. For that night, I got out of my house wearing this long mullet-style cardigan and used a belt to wrap it around my body to hide the sexy floral bodycon dress underneath.

Sexy floral bodycon dress courtesy of Closet Chic

I would have to stop here for now and save a few other tips for another entry. After realizing how long this entry has been, I've convinced myself that some of you are either bored or tired by now reading this lengthy article. Anyway, the next set of tips and tricks, I can share some other time but these four are on the top of my list.

Don't forget the order: safety, comfort, fashion. Thinking of your safety is not an option; it's a mind-set. I couldn't stress that any further. Ever since my older brother (at the age of 22) who went to a party with his friends, unexpectedly passed away a few years ago, I've never ever stopped thinking about how precious (and short) life is. I would never risk it for anything, especially if it's just fashion. 

Stay safe everyone!

P.S. I used to hate writing tips about any topic because I feel like people might judge me, thinking I'm pretending to know better than any one else. I don't, really. But if there's anything you appreciate or dissent about my blog entries, feel free to comment or send me an e-mail (melanie_entuna@yahoo.com).

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