PLANNING the perfect “outfit of the day” has been a favorite hobby of the modern millennial. While you can never go wrong with a good, clean shirt paired with jeans and your sneakers of the moment, many would like to go for pieces that are bold and unique, outfits that express their individuality without compromising on style.
Lifestyle magazine editor Rainier Dagala and fashion stylist EM Millan recently joined ranks with other fashion visionaries for The SM Style Series, which brought together a powerhouse of style influencers to help shoppers find the best fits for their style escapades. The series of styling activities happened at SM Aura and SM Makati.
During the kick-off launch of the campaign, Dagala and Millan asked the audience who their favorite celebrities were. A number of hands shot up and names were shouted out. The redeeming qualities of the celebrities cited were very much the same: feminine, classy and simple.
“We’re emphasizing these words because we believe that we like a certain celebrity not because of the outfit that she’s wearing, but because we’ve successfully found a connection, a key characteristic that will connect them to these images,” explained Dagala. “It’s the same as when you style your own outfits: it must also mirror what you want to be perceived as.”
“We’re trying to transpose those key elements and ideas that celebrities use,” Millan said. “For instance, we ask them, do you want to look clean? Edgy? Fierce? From there, we work things out and then we help them find pieces they can use for everyday looks, and these looks you can cap, as well” Dagala added.
Millan shared that when traveling, it is important to pack pieces you’re comfortable with and which you can use over and over again. “In terms of function, it’s important to create looks that are well-put together,” Dagala said. “When in doubt, just keep it simple because you can still stand out even with the simplest of looks.”
“For workwear pieces, it is important to marry the fashion and functional aspect of your wardrobe. It should be able to take you from boardroom meetings to your other activities through the day and during the night.” Dagala said. “It’s always about looking professional,” Millan said.
As a demo, the two styled SM models and showed how one can style their outfits even with the modest pieces that they can find in their wardrobes.
“We start with the most basic piece, like a typical off-shoulder top. This is something you can easily find because this was recently considered as a closet staple. So, we found ways to restyle it by turning the knots into a bow, and you can restyle it over and over again,” Dagala said. “So, if you’re the type of person who like experimenting, you can also try mixing prints and different genres of fashion.”
To inject a bit of dainty to simple looks, like a plain top and jeans, Dagala advised on using statement earrings and accessories for contrast. Nautical stripes and hues, he added, can easily go with other clothing options.
“We also don’t believe in overstyling,” Dagala and Millan said. “We’re pushing the idea of putting a personality to your looks.” Even a little black dress can be styled to reflect your own personal style through personal pieces like heirloom rings, shared Millan.
For officewear, since it’s restricted by corporate dress codes, Millan and Dagala advised on doing smart layering, using neutral colors but with the injection of pops of colors. It must also be well-fitting and should ideally embrace the best parts of one’s body.
“It all depends on one’s personal style preferences but what we’re really trying to push here is for you to find the perfect look for you—you must find a connection with your image, something you can make your own and identify with,” Dagala said.