A D.I.Y. (SORT OF) PROJECT

One of the biggest trends in Hong Kong streetwear during my brief stay in the city was the denim long sleeves shirt with Aztec/Navajo prints. Almost everyone were sporting it with pure masculinity and pride, but for sure if you have been following my blog for quite sometime now, you already know that I'm a guy who will never rock a trend if almost everyone around me is rocking it. Lucky me, since theres a handful Pinoys who go for this look. So I told myself why not just go for it...I searched most of the city's shopping malls and bargain stores to have my very own shirt, and boy oh boy, I found quite a lot from different brands with different designs. The downside - they cost a lot. The cheapest one probably costs more than HK$ 600.00, thats Php 4,000.00 (truly massive!!!) and I'm not that guy who'll spend a dough just for a trendy shirt.

Denim shirts 2 pieces for Php 50.00

So what a smart guy to do? Well, after the trip I visited my ever trusted ukay-ukay shops, then copied some Aztec/Navajo prints from the net and have it translated on my newly bought shirts. Check out guys the finish product.

THE STYLE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN

Ethnic print has been one of  seasons and the previous seasons growing trends. The fashion savvy individuals has made these prints as their new checks or stripes for the summer season. Whether it's the native inspiration of the Navajo Indians and Mayan or Aztec prints, this indigenously chic  look is really enigmatic and unique.

On the high fashion end of the rector scale of this print you saw in various international fashion brands (the likes of Missoni, Etro, Burberry to name a few) all played around with tribal prints for their Spring/Summer 2011 collections. There have been great efforts to reinvent the American Indian's look. Making  it tough, modern, elegant and super chic. Their interpretation of the native American  style is so appealing. Delivering wonderful abstract patterns which bring  touch of worldliness and mystery of far away places that anyone would love to discover. Just recently while surfing the net I discovered these amazing shirts from ASOS (is the UK's largest online-only fashion and beauty store). Here, let me show you boys & gals what I've been drooling over lately.

CLICK  HERE FOR ASOS NAVAJO YOKE PRINT CREW NECK GRAY TEE

CLICK HERE FOR ASOS AZTEC PRINT CREW NECK PURPLE TEE

The most excellent way to add a dash of pattern and a jolt of color to our style ensembles is through ethnic prints.   Try to keep it simple, concentrating on assembling specific ethnic items such as a  traditional Navajo print shirt/Aztec print shirt and more. Learn to pair 'em with  neutrals (white, creams, tans, black) or denim, for a bit of rock n’ roll edge. The last option – and possibly the most difficult – is to team your print with a contrasting print. It might not be your cup of tea but yes, it can be done! Bear in mind that while you might be taking cues from an exotic tribe, you've still got to fit in with your own style tribe.

THE TRIBAL REALITIES

Ethnic chic is the current trend that men are slowly submitting themselves into. One of the major inspirations were the creation conceived by Christopher Bailey for Spring/Summer 2012 (Burberry Prorsum's Chief Creative Officer) when he sent his army of male models wearing trench coats, cashmere knit tops, skinny trousers for the bottom, shorts and a variety of tees with ethnic prints or embellishments.

 

 

 

Burberry Prorsum S/S 2012 Menswear

There is no doubt that such collection would eventually translate into a trend, especially when Topman (the stand-alone fashion business counterpart of Topshop) released their  newest collection called "BE BOP" that embodies some clashing patterns that were aroused by divine influences from Aztec and Navajo complex tribal patterns.

SENSE Magazine for July 2011 issue

David Guison rockin' the trend.

The key in rocking this trend: Keep things in moderation. One should avoid wearing both pants/short and shirt with a tribal pattern, as this will look over the top. Pair it with your preppy clothing items, just enough to add some quirk. If you choose to wear shorts, a pair of boat shoes/loafers is a good bet. It sure is a mix of eccentricity and fun heritage style...So, what dya guys think?