But being 21st century global citizens armed with cheap airfares, this means that traveling to temperate countries are never completely ruled out. In the same . . . → Read more]]> I do realise that I live in a tropical country, what with the current heatwave to remind me that we are practically smack in the middle of equator.

But being 21st century global citizens armed with cheap airfares, this means that traveling to temperate countries are never completely ruled out. In the same vein so does the need for a jacket to travel along with. As plans are underway for me to be traveling somewhere this autumn, I thought it would be apt for me to get a jacket. But choosing a suitable design is of the essence, as such travels are few and far between. And so it seemed wiser to get a jacket that was less ‘of the moment’ and more of a timeless design to prolong its wearability. Something I can imagine myself wearing 10 years from today yet not look outdated.

Woolrich Woolen Mills Spring 2011 (credit: GQ)

Few things options came up when I was thinking of potential looks that would remain timeless and trendless. One of them was Woolrich Woolen Mills Spring 2011’s compact yet solid collection of vintage outdoor wear (see full collection here). The other was Junya Watanabe Man’s utilitarian work jackets and parka’s (see here). Finally it was a very current nautical/washed out British coastal look (reference here)

Below are the jackets that struck a chord with me in terms of design and price.

Junya Watanabe Man x Le Laboureur Wax Jacket

Possibly the most affordable jacket with Junya’s design footprints on it. Apparently the medium and large sizes were sold out from GoodHood on the same day of release. (photo credit & link)

Commes des Garcons Shirt Jersey Duffel Coat

I was extremely attracted to this coat ( I have a thing for hoodies) when I saw the excellent fit on the model on TresBienShop’s site. Price was still within my means, and jersey material made it a suitable candidate for my choice of long lasting good quality timeless jacket.

(photo from Coggles via Selectism)

Bumped into this online shop while I was on the lookout for a lightweight jacket that I could use for my overseas trip some time later in the year. They have a good selection of stuff – deceptively simple yet well-constructed premium menswear, and more importantly they ship worldwide and provide 20% VAT deduction . . . → Read more]]>

Bumped into this online shop while I was on the lookout for a lightweight jacket that I could use for my overseas trip some time later in the year. They have a good selection of stuff – deceptively simple yet well-constructed premium menswear, and more importantly they ship worldwide and provide 20% VAT deduction for non EU shoppers. Above are the ‘table top’ items which I feel encapsulates what will be worn by the discerning guys as the warmer months arrive in the northern hemisphere. While I would by every item on that table top if I could (except the polka dot jeans – I am too old for that) my favourites are the Junya Watanabe MAN gingham anorak and the Quoddy chukka boots which look buttery soft and deliciously comfy.

[more info on each item at their website here]

While browsing I also came across this PAM shirt which seems simple in design, yet I still love the slightly ‘choirboy’ effect it lends to the wearer.

Or have I been watching Kate and William’s wedding ceremony re-runs one too many times?

[link]

I have been eye-ing these ones for quite some time already. The frame design has a vintage feel to it as evidence of this eyewear . . . → Read more]]> If I needed a pair of prescription glasses anytime soon, these two would be already on the top of my list. Now which one shall I choose? Hypothetically?

Moscot’s The Lemtosh

I have been eye-ing these ones for quite some time already. The frame design has a vintage feel to it as evidence of this eyewear maker’s 90-odd years history. What takes the cake, though, is the two-toned colour scheme of this particular pair. I’d figure the emphasis on the upper part of the frame would be good to balance out my bottom-heavy face shape. I was hoping to try these on when I was down in Singapore last month. Sadly, the ones stocked in KIN on Haji Lane looked so small that forcing them into my ‘caucasian sized’ face would risk me paying for broken goods.

Good thing about Moscot’s frames are that they can be fitted as either eyeglasses or sunglasses. In my personal opinion though, the impact of this frame was somewhat dampened by tinted lenses. But that’s just what I think.

Oliver People’s Gregory Peck

These vintage looking acetate frames are inspired by Gregory Peck’s role as Atticus Finch in the movie ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. It also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee’s literature classic from which the movie was adapted. Looks beautifully made, but slightly more expensive than the Moscots ($315 according to these people here) .

(via GQ Eye)

As the world becomes increasingly sophisticated and advanced technologically, I somehow find myself finding pleasure in things that are lo-fi and simple. My recent affair with the Holga, for example.

Along the same reins, yet another simple product has caught my eye. It is the deceptively simple but eye catching Fullspot O Clock watch. Just a clean . . . → Read more]]>

As the world becomes increasingly sophisticated and advanced technologically, I somehow find myself finding pleasure in things that are lo-fi and simple. My recent affair with the Holga, for example.

Along the same reins, yet another simple product has caught my eye. It is the deceptively simple but eye catching Fullspot O Clock watch. Just a clean white face with phosphoric hands (even the numbers are omitted) attached onto a silicon strap with 15 colours to choose from. Simple has never looked this good. Colours are lovely and may change according to the seasons- for this season I like the lime-green model, ‘Moss’.

Good news for the greedy ones, the watch is detachable from its strap and can latch on to straps of other colours which can be bought additionally.

This wonderful item comes from an Italian based design company, Fullspot, which takes pride in Italian design and produce. Through O Clock, they are also inching towards realizing their aim of creating a line of cult objects that possess a design aesthetic and practicality at the same time.

Thus, we the consumer are blessed with a product that is simple, practical, modifiable, designed and made in Italy, at a very attractive price point! Mooks & Ripcurl have brought these watches to KL, retailing at only RM99.

Hope to get one in the colour of my choice very soon while the stocks are still available.

And for the incorrigible shopper who is a sucker for packaging, the O Clock comes in a tuna can, replete with a pull-ring at the top. 

photos via hypebeast

Photo below, taken last weekend:

Uniqlo under construction. It'd better be good!

Apparently it’s gonna be three floors of clothing. Sounds good for now. If only an H&M opens next door to it, KL will be quite . . . → Read more]]> From the looks of things, it wouldn’t be long before Uniqlo makes its gigantic presence felt in the Malaysian shopping scene.

Photo below, taken last weekend:

Uniqlo under construction. It'd better be good!

Apparently it’s gonna be three floors of clothing. Sounds good for now. If only an H&M opens next door to it, KL will be quite complete on the highstreet front.

Other updates from the Bukit Bintang area:

1. I spy that also opening on the ground floor of new old mall, Fahrenheit 88, is Ripcurl and Vincci. Hope the other tenants will bring in something fresh to the area, new brands that are not found in other malls. Because my sixth sense tells me that the opposite is likely to happen…

2. Other new shops to look forward to, this time in Pavilion- Havaianas, adidas originals, bauhaus. Joy, Havaianas for world domination while punishing all fashion faux pas committed by ignorant Crocs wearers! And bauhaus, I wonder if it refers to this Australian streetwear label? And Club Monaco has closed, being replaced by Selberan Jewellers.

3. Not so new in Lot 10: Zara is in, and Topshop is nowhere to be seen. Love the Zara here, layout is spacious and windows give in light and a view of the busy street outside. Reminds me of the Zara shop in Barcelona that I visited yonks ago (Passeig de Gracia, methinks).

4. More of Lot 10 transformations- the lower ground is D.Bomb. On one side is the fantastic Isetan Food Market, with counters catering to Japanese desserts ( dorayaki, anyone?), sushi, sashimi, bento, soba, salads, even one that cooks your pasta and sausage platters for you. And next door is the popular and crowded Hutong, a collective of the best in KL hawker food, gathered in one basement. Ho Weng Kee, Kim Lian Kee charcoal Hokkien mee, Soong Kee beef noodles all within a few metres of each other. Who would have thought? Can’t wait to give this place a try.

Walk down these steps to enter the gourmet's hawker centre.

5. Okay YTL-corporation, what is happening here? Seeing these guys stuck in a diagonal cage, painting it, I thought it was a some weird publicity stunt or a modern art performance. But the sweaty and squinting foreign workers inside the metal cage took their painting job a bit too seriously and literally to be mistaken for a street performance. It seems like YTL has more plans of optimizing business at this pedestrian-heavy thoroughfare.

What's happening here lah? Back view.

Something revolutionary eh?

Amidst my seemingly never ending cashflow problems, I still think it is high time for my next sneaker purchase. My last purchase was made almost a year ago- a pair of the classic off-white Vans Authentics. With age catching up, other priorities demand my attention, other items demand my money, . . . → Read more]]>

The Aina Chukka in Urban Haze

Amidst my seemingly never ending cashflow problems, I still think it is high time for my next sneaker purchase. My last purchase was made almost a year ago- a pair of the classic off-white Vans Authentics. With age catching up, other priorities demand my attention, other items demand my money, making me slightly behind time with the sneaker world. This post on Streething’s facebook page reignited my hunger for some sneakers, though.

The Aina Chukka in Stone

My first impression of this chukka shoe was “Japanese ethnic”, and guessing that the name Aina had something to do with the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan. My assumptions were incorrect, however, after reading this interview with shoe designer Nathan VanHook on the origins of the name. The shoe was meant to have a nautical/nature-centric element (evidenced by its shoelace and all-round lacing), however to me I still see tribal influences with its woven pattern on the suede uppers and diamond chain motif around the vulcanized soles.

I haven’t been salivating over sneakers this much since the release of the Adidas Ransom collection last year. Loving the fact that they employed a classic shoe shape (chukkas and desert boots are the boat shoes of 2010) and combined with a more grown-up design that typifies the lifestyle sneaker. The quintessential Nike swoosh is absent from the side profile, replaced with sophistication lent by the woven suede and leather laces.

Nike Aina Chukka: check out the fantastic back panel and green detailings at the tongue and soles!

After I regretfully missed the boat on the Adidas Ransom’s late last year, I am quite determined to get my hands on this one very soon. My eyes are set on the Urban Haze (olive) or Stone (grey) colourways, the ones in navy or terracotta didn’t really do it in for me. (The only orange sneakers that I covet are these). Urban Haze and Spice (orange) colourways were just released for fall of 2010, while the rest were released earlier this year for the Spring collection.

Hello shoes, good-bye cash!

(photo credits: 1.nicekicks 2.kicksaholic 3.kengrifferjrshoes.com)

From KLue’s twitter :

RT @amrirahim: CLUB MONACO Closing Down Sale @ The Gardens. Up to 80% off with multiple purchase discount. Starts August 19. #kl

3:18 AM Aug 18th via Twitter for iPhone

Is this piece of news verified? Are all Club Monaco stores in . . . → Read more]]>

Salut! If you are leaving, that is.

From KLue’s twitter :

RT @amrirahim: CLUB MONACO Closing Down Sale @ The Gardens. Up to 80% off with multiple purchase discount. Starts August 19. #kl

3:18 AM Aug 18th via Twitter for iPhone

Is this piece of news verified? Are all Club Monaco stores in Malaysia closing down? So my prediction is true after all!

If anyone had been noticing, Club Monaco hasn’t brought in any new clothes for at least a year. One thing for sure is that there weren’t any new items on the racks since Fall/Winter ‘09/10 and the most recent Spring Summer ‘10, although I can’t be certain for Spring Summer ‘09. When my shopaholic friend and I noticed exactly the same clothes that go on sale every time in their Gardens branch- the same old green and white ribbon belt, v-neck tee’s in the same colour, that navy blue knit tie- the alarm bells are already ringing to signal that the end was nigh. In fact, my friend was bold enough to ask one of the sales staff late last year whether they were closing down, to which we were replied with a neutral smile.

If it is true that they are closing their Malaysian chapter, this means they would join the ranks of Gant as yet another casualty in Malaysian shopping who are still doing well overseas. It would be sad to see another clothing retailer, one that afforded Malaysians a bigger view of global fashion trends, to bite the dust. Club Monaco was to me a retailer that gave fashion-deprived KL not just classic and stylish clothing, but more importantly access to key seasonal items which otherwise would be available only in Zara or Topshop albeit much later. They stocked slim trousers, the knit-ties, ribbon belts, gingham and seersucker long before the others did, along with some good-looking classics like linen sportcoats.

The price may explain why their shops are seldom chock full of people- I would only buy Club Monaco items during the sale, of which are usually pretty genuine. The exchange rate means labels that are considered ‘budget’ in the US and Japan, including Club Monaco, Gap and Gant, are sold at premium prices in KL. If a mega retailer like Gap could close its doors in Pavilion, KL’s supposedly premier shopping mall, what more could be said about a brand with a higher price range and a slightly niche appeal?

Me? I would drop by the Gardens to verify this piece of news. But I would not buy anything albeit being my last chance- I have seen their rather dismal (and depleting) range of items over the last two sales, and I do not think things would be any different this time. That said, they would definitely be sorely missed (if it were true that they were closing down). Here’s to more affordable (and good looking) clothes.

But you already knew that, didn’t you?

Bernama reports here that this high-street bigwig of Japan (their version of high design, low price akin to H&M, Zara, Topshop, Cotton On) is going to occupy the “newly renovated Fahrenheit 88 shopping centre located in Bukit Bintang”. Say what shopping . . . → Read more]]> … for shoppers, at least.

1. UNIQLO is coming to Malaysia!

But you already knew that, didn’t you?

Bernama reports here that this high-street bigwig of Japan (their version of high design, low price akin to H&M, Zara, Topshop, Cotton On) is going to occupy the “newly renovated Fahrenheit 88 shopping centre located in Bukit Bintang”. Say what shopping centre? That’s right, apparently Fahrenheit 88 is the new name given to the former KL Plaza.

Anyway, anticipating its opening in the coming months. It will save many people a trip down to Singapore, where the nearest Uniqlo store is to be found. And judging from the roaring success of Cotton On in Malaysia, I predict a good future for these guys too, provided the prices remain competitive.

With even Uniqlo making it down to our shores, there is only one store yet to make our high-street shopping experience complete. Hint, hint: H&M…

2. Urban Outfitters ships to Malaysia!

I am not sure how long this has been going on, but it was something I just found out, and I am quite elated upon knowing this. Anyone who has been to the US or UK might have come across this shop, it is like the generic supermarket of hipster clothing. I knew of this shop while studying in Glasgow, and it used to be one of my favourite hangout spots after the ever warm and welcoming Borders. Note: hangout spot, not shopping spot.

This clothing and lifestyle store also has an online incarnation, just like most other labels and clothing shops. And while most US shops ship either locally or to any other country except Malaysia, this one has been quite welcoming to us. And another good news is that shipping starts at USD10.00!

Naturally I checked out what was available, and there was a wide selection of clothes, accessories, footwear, bags and even household items. I have set my eyes on the footwear, the canvas plimsolls are selling at very reasonable prices. What I love most, though are the collection of bags that are on sale- all great looking bags not available here in Malaysia: canvas totes, messenger bags, duffel bags from American labels. I love the Filson bags the most, they are a classic American outdoor brand with a reputation for solid construction.
Check the shop out here.

Would like to share my experience with the few shops that I visited around this very wallet-emptying period of the year.

Went in about a month ago when the shop was 30% off (almost) storewide. . . . → Read more]]> It’s that time of the year again, sale time! (And as luck would have it, also coincides with broke-ass time )

Would like to share my experience with the few shops that I visited around this very wallet-emptying period of the year.

Went in about a month ago when the shop was 30% off (almost) storewide. Headed for the shirts I had been eyeing and fortunately got a fitting one that was on sale. Unfortunately a grey chambray shirt that I had been eyeing on was not a sale item.

Oh well, money not spent is money saved ( I keep telling myself). They had some plain pocket T-shirts, but I passed since the ones in nicer colours were not discounted.

Anyway, now is the time to GET YOUR ASS IN GAP! Because they have gone from 30 % off to 50% off most items. Of course some of the nicer items have either disappeared from the racks or considered new arrival and thus not discounted. Still, there are some noteworthy items I would have gotten, like :

• their beach shorts (half off from RM199) if I only I was headed for another beach holiday
• 
• their denim shirt (half off from RM199) if only I could find a time to wear it
• 
• and their mandarin(?) collar long-sleeve white linen shirt, if only it wasn’t so damned see-through.

I have to admit that the 50% sales are worrying me, especially coupled with the fact the shop wasn’t exactly bursting with people and also that the Pavilion branch closed down several months ago. I hope there is no bad news to be heard.

Anything YOU got from the Gap?

PS: I am curious as to why the GAP website is willing to ship to so many Asian countries including Thailand and Singapore, even Cambodia, Nepal and Pakistan but not Malaysia. We must have a reaaaalllllly bad reputation for e-commerce security.