Manila hit by US designers’ fall favorites

MANILA, Philippines – In countries that have 4 seasons, autumn means a huge change in color. Everywhere you look, leaves will start turning from green to orange, ushering in the colder months of the year.

It’s usually a very beautiful and picturesque season with just the right temperature for you to start wearing bold-colored coats and cardigans.

Here in the Philippines, a tropical country with only two seasons, we don’t really get to experience fall. We only have have wet and dry seasons but due to climate change, it seems that these days, we have seasons that are only wet and wetter. Such days in Manila are perfect for channeling fall trends.

While some would say that dark colors are in every fall, a good number can argue that a pop of color can actually be a nice change.

For Tory Burch, the darker colors of autumn fall together as scarabs and dragonflies are a good inspiration for this season’s collection.

In an in-store launch party last week, celebrity stylist Alyanna Martinez showcased Tory’s new pieces that consist of bolder prints. This is not that usual for the designer who is famous for color blocking and pieces that tend to have a more “strictly-business” theme.

Tory Burch’s Fall 2013 collection consists of dark blues, reds, and purples with muted pinks and tans, while prints add fun to the collection. As the scarab makes a comeback in her designs, bejeweled dragonflies make an appearance in some of her designer footwear.

Her pieces, though obviously made for layering, can still be worn in Manila’s climate by using them separately. A lot of the dresses in this season’s collection are sleeveless and can be worn without a cardigan on warmer days.

Martinez said that mixing prints is risky business. The usual printed plus plain ensemble usually works. But for more adventurous girls out there, she has a tip when it comes to wearing more than just one print on an outfit: “It’s best to stick with prints from the same color family. Big prints top, smaller prints bottom. Not too bold with colors. Go for muted tones.”

Meanwhile, Kate Spade also brought something new to Manila for this season — the iconic Beau bag. Kate Spade’s answer to competitors’ epochal bags such as Louis Vuitton’s Speedy and Michael Kors’ totes is something that can really be attractive to the younger generation and the young at heart.

It’s fun, flirty, young, and it comes in vibrant colors such as pink, red, and purple. But for the more conservative set, the Beau bag also comes in black, nude, and a hint of leopard.

For October, Kate Spade also has a collection called ‘Boys make passes at girls with glasses’ that’s very reminiscent of shool girl days.

When dressing up for fall, one can never go wrong with bold colors (which can either be dark or bright — it’s up to you!) and comfort. Sweaters and boots in the US can be traded for jackets and rain boots for Manila’s wet version of autumn.

But don’t fret. You can still be fashionable by doing a bit of layering, print mixing, and even going for those cute plastic rain boots with an aztec or floral print in department stores. The possibilities are endless. – Rappler.com

Want to be up-to-date with the latest fashion styles? Shop online and get the best brands with the hottest deals and biggest discounts here!