Alternative Prince

The Alternative Blue

2009-03-27T12:39:00.004-04:00

Topman (Top) VS American Apparel (Left) VS Dior Homme (Right)

Friends Keep Me Alive (Literally)

2009-03-26T12:35:00.004-04:00

Just this past weekend my friends took me up to Wachusetts to snowboard (my first time). It's probably one of the last weekends to go snowboarding around here before all the snow melts off completely. I fell about a million times, and woke up the next day sore all over....BUT IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! Everyone should try it out once in their lifetime :)

My Best Friend's Wedding

2009-03-26T12:32:00.003-04:00

Aww, my best friend is getting married! It'll be the first time I'll take part IN a wedding instead of just watching it. Hmm....if only I can convince her to change her mind about the light-pink tux....

Woo-hoo! Topman Spring Sale!

2009-03-24T09:43:00.002-04:00

Hurray! Topman

Why I Hate The Mall on the Weekends

2009-03-23T15:52:00.005-04:00

Last weekend I went to the Natick Collection. It's been a while since I've set foot in a mall aside from Copley/Prudential...and then I remembered why. It's so crowded and loud. Yikes... next time I'm saving the visit for the weekdays.

Shopping time is sacred! If there's tons of people there as obstacles, it ruins the experience!

I Wish My Office Looked Like This

2009-03-23T12:08:00.002-04:00

Dior Homme Paris Installation

I'm feeling kind of... blue

2009-03-20T10:15:00.012-04:00

Electric Blue Trousers from Topman
Dior Homme Cobalt Blue Pin from eLuxury
Leda Bag from Matt and Nat
Poncho and Drapey Cardigan from YesStyle

When I was younger, all I could think about was collecting superhero action-figures and anything with the color blue. They were my first addictions (and later on came the clothes, video games, etc...). As I find myself getting older, I've noticed that my addictions have followed me into the next phase in life. Now it's all about the drapey tops and sophisticated pieces...it's like a superhero costume being applied to ready-to-wear clothes.

Boston Restaurant Week

2009-03-19T16:42:00.004-04:00

You know that restaurant that you've passed by a million times but never dared to go in because it looked too fancy and probably overpriced? Well.......it's BOSTON RESTAURANT WEEK (March 15 through March 20, 2009 and March 22 through March 27, 2009)! I always look forward to Restaurant Week - and almost every restaurant in the city participates in it.

What does that mean? The restaurants have three-course prix-fixe dinner menus for only......$33! And for lunch only $20! It's a great deal if you are going to a place that usually has appetizers that are higher-priced than that.

Some of my favorites are: L'Espalier, Excelsior, Radius, 33, Persephone, Aura, Great Bay, and much much more...

Go out and experiment!

Energie VS Dior Homme

2009-03-19T09:32:00.003-04:00

I saw a Dior Homme jacket in Riccardi the other day that resembles this one from Energie. The difference? A huge gap on the price tag. Purchase at Energie Online (though I'd wait for the seasonal sale).

Splash of Color

2009-03-16T10:21:00.004-04:00

VMan Editorial

Obsession of the Day

2009-03-09T13:58:00.005-04:00

American Apparel Slim Slacks (similar to the Club Monaco Royal Blue jeans but not as baggy)

Obsession of the Day

2009-03-05T09:34:00.002-05:00

Saint Augustine Academy- Black Zachariel T-Shirt w/ motorcycle panel flap

available for purchase at For-Tomorrow

Obsession of the Day

2009-02-24T11:45:00.005-05:00

Blue Blazer @ Yesstyle.com

Ugh it's been a while since I've blogged - everytime I surf the web to find interesting things to blog about I end up holding back the urge to purchase everything!

Topman

2009-02-19T15:04:00.002-05:00

Finally! Topman's SS09 Lens collections have finally been released. I have to admit though, it is a little disappointing. I prefer the Topman Design collection more than the Lens. There are many pop colors similar to Marc Jacob's collections.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009-02-18T17:42:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day! (Not really.) Adding salt to the wound was the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic. I swear, the theatre was filled with nervous laughter as if the movie was a documentary based on people like us (yes, myself included). All in all, it was a good therapy session.

Boston Gems

2009-02-11T15:52:00.007-05:00

Ever heard of Bodega? From the outside, the place looks like a grocery store. However it's actually an underground/urban boutique. The stuff here is awesome and the design of the place is quite clever.

Obsession of the Day

2009-02-10T15:54:00.001-05:00

Diet Butcher X-High Tops

Obsession of the Day

2009-02-09T16:35:00.008-05:00

Maybe because it's almost Spring, or the tartan/plaid patterns showing up all over the place, or it could just be Gossip Girl (my new guilty pleasure), but I've had a yearning for those old Western cross-ties!

Beat Poet Cross-Tie (available at For-Tomorrow), Cross-Ties from Western Emporium, and Sat N' Spurs.

Spring 2009

2009-02-06T10:16:00.005-05:00

Gucci Spring/Summer Moccassins VS ASOS Boat Shoes

Colors are popping up all over the place. I love Spring!

A Slave to Fashion or Fashion Victim?

2009-02-05T17:31:00.018-05:00

One of my favorite articles from 2008: "Are you a Fashion Victim?" from men.style.com. This article particularly stood out to me because I think it applies to everyone, no matter what year it was written in (worth reading!). The article starts off with: "Blindly adopting every trend will turn you into a punch line, not a player."

I could not agree more! Some people can get away with wearing certain things (Kanye West pulling off those shutter sunglasses), but when everyone else starts applying these trendy things to their dailywear, they become fashion victims. When it comes to trends, the first thing people should consider is "can I take this trend and apply it to my personal style?" as opposed to blindly following them.

Shopping Smart (Alternatives? Yes please!)

2009-02-04T17:41:00.026-05:00

I'm not going to lie: I'm addicted to labels. Unfortunately, last year's consumer addiction has left me in debt, so now I'm battling the Barneys Mafia/Credit Card Mafias every month. My New Year's Resolution is to stop being an impulse buyer. Before making any purchase, carefully think about how much I want something and do research on the current market to see if there's a good alternative.

Due to the current recession, it seems irresponsible to invest in labels (Sorry, D&G, I love you too, but it's just not going to work out this year). As many others have said before me: 'Style should not be compromised just because the economy is going down the drain'. This year it's all about being a flexible and smart shopper. Here are several examples of what I mean:

Kenzo Minami Dot Cluster Tee VS American Apparel Space Scape Jersey Tee

Gucci (top) VS Urban Outfitters (middle) VS Ray-Ban (bottom)

Spring 2009

2009-02-04T16:32:00.023-05:00

Spring is just around the corner, so it's time people stop shopping for Winter and start for Spring! I'm already thinking of Spring outfits. Unfortunately, I have champagne tastes on a beer budget...so I'll just have to settle for something else. Here are a couple stylish pieces (that won't break the bank):

Co-lab Retro Sunglasses

ASOS Biker Jacket

Topman Biker Jacket (Two different options)

American Apparel Oversized White Tee

Spring 2009 Must-Haves

2009-02-04T10:11:00.006-05:00

13 Stores across the nation have chosen their "must-haves" for Spring 2009. Check out all the gorgeous items at Men.Style.Com...

Lily Allen's "The Fear"

2009-02-03T14:53:00.009-05:00

I love Lily Allen's songs. She is so controversial and her songs reflect how messed up society is. She's coming to Boston on April 19th @ The House of Blues. I also can't wait for her new CD to come out: "It’s Not Me, It’s You"

Lily Allen

"The Fear"

I want to be rich and I want lots of money

I don’t care about clever I don’t care about funny

I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds

I heard people die while they are trying to find them

I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless

‘Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous

I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror

I’m on the right track yeah I’m on to a winner

Chorus

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore

I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore

When we think it will all become clear

‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers

It’s all about fast cars and cussing each other

But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic

And that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic
And I am a weapon of massive consumption

And its not my fault it’s how I’m program to function

I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror

I’m on the right track yeah I’m on to a winner

Chorus

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore

I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore

When we think it will all become clear

‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear

Forget about guns and forget ammunition

Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission

Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner

Now everything is cool as long as I’m getting thinner

Chorus

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore

I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore

When we think it will all become clear

‘Cause I’m being taken over by The Fear

Obsession of the Day

2009-02-03T14:49:00.002-05:00

Maison Martin Margiela L'Incognito Sunglasses

10 Basic Wardrobe Upgrades

2009-01-28T13:28:00.058-05:00

When I was transitioning from one stage in life to another, the things I wore reflected those stages. The days of the lunch bag and backpack are now upgraded to an iPhone and messenger bag. Here are ten basic wardrobe upgrades that I think are worth investing in:

1) Blazer - An icon of sophistication. Make sure the shoulders and chest fit properly - personally I prefer a slim-cut blazer. When it comes to clothes I believe fitting is the most important (know what works for you and what doesn't). A good starter-piece would be a black one with one or two buttons.

2) Slim Black Jeans - A perfect mix of casual and formal. Slim-cut jeans accentuate the length of your legs and there's nothing excess (loose-cut blegh).

3) Leather Jacket - Every man needs a leather jacket. The authentic, fits-your-body-like-it-was-made-for-you type of leather jacket. A good leather jacket can cost upwards of thousands of dollars, but save up for it. You'll wear it for life.

4) Boots - And no, I'm not talking about the brown Timberland boots. A nice pair of biker boots or combat boots are perfect for a casual day out.

5) Sunglasses - Find the perfect shape for your face. If you have a round face, don't buy rounded sunglasses. If you have a long angular face, don't buy a pair with sharp edges. Although you could buy cheap sunglasses from Urban Outfitters for $10, it's always nice to have atleast one classic pair in your accessories arsenal (I suggest aviators). Oh, and I recommend you don't get the ones with the giant logos on the band.

6) Dress shoes - Although I'm not a big fan of formalwear, once you invest in a good pair you'll be wearing them for years.

7) Tuxedo - Unless you're attending prom night in high school there is no excuse why you're renting one. You only wear a tuxedo when you're trying to look your best anyways, so why not buy one instead of renting one? You can have it tailored .

8) Wool Coat - If you lived in Boston like I do (where the weather is usually cold and unpredictable), a coat is definitely something you'd want to invest in. You wear it everywhere - on the way to work, in the mall, or basically anytime you step out of the house. With such frequent use, it's worth getting a top-quality coat.

9) Watch - Don't worry, you can keep your G-Shock. It wouldn't hurt to have a formal one, either, for the formal dinners or special occassions.

10) Wallet - Your money is only as good as what you hold it in. An alternative to using a wallet is using a money clip.

Boston Gems

2009-01-27T11:47:00.009-05:00

One of the most interesting places to go for the fashionistas in this town would be the Achilles Project. This is not just a boutique; it is also a restaurant and bar/lounge (fantastic food and drinks by the way). The staff here are very friendly and helpful, and it's the perfect symbiosis of atmosphere, fashion, and food that makes this place attractive.

Fall 2009 Burberry Prorsum

2009-01-26T16:20:00.010-05:00

Although I think Christopher Bailey's Fall 2009 collection for Burberry Prorsum is not the most innovative nor the prettiest, it's refreshing to see a designer draw inspiration from its past and go back to the classic look (I'm still dealing with my Fall '09 Fashion overload/hangover). I found this collection to be rather romantic and its strength lies in the outerwear. The pants on the other hand, seem sloppy and wide. The jackets/coats seem like a practical investment, especially since Boston is so cold.

(P.S. Love the neck tie!)

You can also check out the rest of the Paris and Milian Fall 2009 collections here.

Obsession of the Day

2009-01-26T11:28:00.004-05:00

Carolyn Massey Cape

and if you prefer a chunkier version:

McQ by Alexander McQueen sold on ASOS

Sale!

2009-01-26T09:45:00.006-05:00

Okay I normally wouldn't blog about something like this, but LUISAVIAROMA is having a nice sale. This website carries lines such as Dior Homme and Ann Demeulemeester, and at these prices it's quite a steal... I'd buy some if they had my size (damn x-small...). Anyways, it's worth checking out!

Obsession of the Day

2009-01-22T16:27:00.002-05:00

Topman Black Drapey Cardigan

Boston Gems

2009-01-22T12:15:00.009-05:00

This month, Boston Magazine has published an article on the 50 Best Restaurants in the city. Amongst the list are some of my favorite places to go! What's the point of looking sharp and buying fancy clothes if you've got no place to wear them to?

At the top of the list is the leather district's O-Ya. The small cozy restaurant definitely has the best food I've ever tasted (and the most expensive as well...$400 for two people), but it's worth experiencing at least once!

A gift for moi?

2009-01-21T23:05:00.013-05:00

Look what my best friend Debbie in Hong Kong sent me! SWOOOON~ Thank you Deb I love you! It's too bad I didn't go to the Inauguration Ceremony in D.C., I seriously would have stood a fair chance against Michelle Obama for the most blingy outfit. Oh Michelle, you're always one step ahead of me.

My favorite two pieces from Izzue's Fall/Winter '08 collection...

The blazer is very reminiscent of Maison Martin Margiela's Spring '09 collection. Except at a fraction of the price.

Disco Mirror Lapel Blazer available for purchase at eLuxury.

Fashion Pet Peeves

2009-01-20T22:03:00.010-05:00

This is kind of a rant, but it needs to be expressed. Here's a list of fashion no-nos that applies to guys and gals: (I'm hoping that the world of fashion is ready to leave these things behind for 2009)

10) The side-ponytail. UGH what are you thinking? Unless you're 5 years old I can't think of an excuse for anyone to wear it sideways. I don't mean the ponytail swiped off to the side. I mean the one that literally starts on the top side of your head.

9) Pajamas as pants. There's a reason why they're called pajamas. It means you wear them indoors!! I don't care if you're running downstairs to the local market to buy a pack of cigarettes, put on some real pants!

8) Pants under a dress. Yeah, Boston is cold. But dresses still aren't made to be worn with a pair of slacks or jeans underneath. It just looks like layering-gone-bad.

7) Crocs. I hate the "they're comfortable" excuse. There are plenty of cuter shoes out there that are comfy. You don't always have to sacrifice fashion for comfort.

6) Uggs. Hunni, it's short for "ugg-ly". It's like wearing bread on your legs.

5) Leggings are NOT pants. Leggings are not made to be worn as pants. They look cute with a mini-dress, a cute skirt, some shorts, but NEVER alone!! Oh lord how my eyes have suffered this winter seeing countless teens at the mall wearing nothing but leggings and ugg(ly)s. Girls, it's not attractive to show VPL (visible panty line).

4) Logo bags and logo tees. Yeah ok, I get it. You want the universe to know where you bought it. Good for you. But personally I find it tacky to be a walking advertisement.

3) White shirts VS. Undershirts. Yikes. This one even pisses my sister off, so I know it's a good one lol. Guys, please, if you're going to wear a plain white tee, that's fine. But please don't try to pass an undershirt off as a white tee. You're not fooling anyone.

2) Carpenter jeans. They're pretty much the equivalent of the "mom jeans". Those gigantic ugly Wal-mart blue jeans. They're wide-legged and have those hideously huge pockets. I can deal with a little bit of slouch but carpenter jeans are just unforgivable. I think every guy should have at least one pair of slim jeans that can translate from day to evening easily.

1) Black dress shoes and white sports socks. Really. This is for the guys. You couldn't put in the effort to get black socks?

Obsession of the Day

2009-01-20T12:52:00.005-05:00

Dior Homme Zip-Top Shopper Bag

Dior Homme Wing Tee

Seen @ eLuxury

Fashion Designer (SPY Henry Lau)

2009-01-20T10:57:00.009-05:00

There are so many new up-and-coming designers out there, but here's one from my hometown, Hong Kong....

His name is Henry Lau, and he has designed for many celebrities in HK including Anita Mui, Hacken Lee, Leslie Cheung, etc...

Henry's label, SPY, translates his unique style into the wearable and sells it thru boutiques throughout the city and online retailers (check his website for more info).

Here are a couple of his pieces (I acquired throughout the year):

Cropped Tuxedo

Military Shirt

"The Twisted" Cardigan

Drapey Shirt

Style Nest

2009-01-14T15:58:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite new websites is LookBook. What it makes this website unique is that its content is user-generated. It's a cool website that allows users to post up photos of their own outfits and have people rate them, without having editors filter them.

Obsession of the Day (Underground Boots)

2009-01-12T14:53:00.003-05:00

Hardcore boots from Underground... too bad I just spent my $$$ on Chucks :(

Obsession of the Day (Kenzo Minami)

2009-01-09T12:13:00.006-05:00

Funky T-Shirt from Kenzo Minami...
It's $198 (YIKES) but I can dream, can't I?

Sold at Blackbird

WTF does this mean?!

2009-01-09T11:00:00.010-05:00

Whenever I do laundry with new clothes, I always take a look at the tag inside to see how it should be cleaned. Often times it confuses the crap out of me because I don't remember what the symbols mean.

The Explainer is a nice little guide... every guy should take a look at it! Aside from laundry symbols, it also talks about how you should treat your white shirts, the different types of collars, etc....

Oh how I love Chucks

2009-01-07T13:21:00.003-05:00

I'm so glad I work in a casual office where everyone can get away with wearing jeans and sneakers. Who says you have to wear expensive sneakers just to look cool?

http://www.converse.com/

A Good Alternative...

2009-01-07T13:13:00.008-05:00

I hope all of you had a great Christmas and New Years! It was certainly the busiest time of year for me: non-stop family events... -_-;;

Did everyone go out shopping the day-after-Christmas? It was incredibly hectic, and even with all the sales going on, some things STILL remain unaffordable! Such as the case of these Dior Homme shoes I've been lusting after for a long time. However, I found a good, affordable, alternative to the Dior patent leather boots... go Converse!

(Click the image to enlarge)

My Love for Everything Bling

2008-12-26T23:28:00.027-05:00

I'm constantly being criticized for my strange love for everything 'bling'. Sequins and beading on clothes! Although, I only like it in moderate amounts... (especially for menswear!) It is easy to cross the line and end up looking up a walking disco ball or a madman armed with a bedazzler.

I recently read an article about Brandon Flowers from The Killers and how he also loves sequins because he is from Vegas. The popularity of 'bling' clothing in Boston seems to be rather low, I guess it's because fashion here is still on the conservative side (although every year I see more diversity in clothing). Being from Hong Kong, and still immersed into their mainstream culture, I've noticed that the celebrities in Asia are definitely much more tolerant and, might I say, LOVE, sequins/beading.

Here are several pieces from one of my favorite stores in HK called Izzue:

Harmon's Creative Designs

2008-12-24T10:47:00.011-05:00

I love how these pieces can be worn in different ways... especially the cargo bomber jacket on the bottom... feels like you're getting 2 jackets for the price of one (although I still can't afford it)...

Harmon Tuxedo 'Jock' Shirt

Harmon Cargo Bomber Jacket

Found at Oak

Hot Gloves for a Cold Winter

2008-12-23T14:58:00.006-05:00

Both gloves by Lauren Urstadt...

you can purchase them at Oak (NYC boutique)

Winter Neckwear

2008-12-22T11:56:00.011-05:00

Hey Bostonians, since the snow storm this weekend has brutally reminded us that winter has arrived, what better time to break out the winter neckwear? Several alternative choices instead of the traditional scarf:

Hood Cowl

Neckwarmer

Felt Scarf

Found these on Etsy

Boston Gems

2008-12-21T21:21:00.010-05:00

Riccardi, located at 116 Newbury Street, is one of the best boutiques in Boston. The boutique has two floors, carrying both womenswear and menswear. What really makes this place stand out are the brands they carry all under one roof: Chrome Hearts, Comme Des Garcons, D&G, D-Squared, Dior Homme, Ksubi, Martin Margiela, and Vivienne Westwood (just to name a few).

The looks are straight off the runway, which may be an extremely high dose of style for some people, especially the average Bostonian. But if you're looking to find something special, this is definitely the place.

On the stage

2008-12-20T22:30:00.004-05:00

Fashion has always been something I've taken a great interest in because of its transformative properties.

Alternative Prince

The Alternative Blue

Friends Keep Me Alive (Literally)

My Best Friend's Wedding

Woo-hoo! Topman Spring Sale!

Why I Hate The Mall on the Weekends

I Wish My Office Looked Like This

I'm feeling kind of... blue

Boston Restaurant Week

Energie VS Dior Homme

Splash of Color

Obsession of the Day

Obsession of the Day

Obsession of the Day

Topman

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Boston Gems

Obsession of the Day

Obsession of the Day

Spring 2009

A Slave to Fashion or Fashion Victim?

Shopping Smart (Alternatives? Yes please!)

Spring 2009

Spring 2009 Must-Haves

Lily Allen's "The Fear"

Obsession of the Day

10 Basic Wardrobe Upgrades

Boston Gems

Fall 2009 Burberry Prorsum

Obsession of the Day

Sale!

Obsession of the Day

Boston Gems

A gift for moi?

Fashion Pet Peeves

Obsession of the Day

Fashion Designer (SPY Henry Lau)

Style Nest

Obsession of the Day (Underground Boots)

Obsession of the Day (Kenzo Minami)

WTF does this mean?!

Oh how I love Chucks

A Good Alternative...

My Love for Everything *Bling*

Harmon's Creative Designs

Hot Gloves for a Cold Winter

Winter Neckwear

Boston Gems

On the stage

My Love for Everything Bling