A fresh start for 2015!
MODE-K takes a new simpler look!
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The Urban Traveller, or how to go about Summer In Style, the easy comfy way. Being comfortable is what we all strive for, day and night, in or out, irrespective if we spend the whole day dozing onto the couch or going to the mall. When it comes to being comfortable in summer while still looking good, it gets trickier, especially if you're like me - a guy who tends to sweat easily (I can't believe I just put this out here!) but still wants to look good. So this Sunday, I thought I'd talk about how to sport a comfy yet stylish summer look out and about in the city. For this outfit, I picked two simple pieces as base: a pair of dark chinos and a plain white granddad neck T-shirt. I completed the look with my Mark Nason pair of derby shoes I got from SKECHERS Bagatelle, plaid shirt, a Quiksilver backpack, my leather watch, silver ring, Mexx shades and a black cap (which I literally stole from my mum!). Firstly, large scoop neck allows for the neck and upper chest to breathe (I talked about how it's important for the body to breathe and how to enable that in my previous post Posh Summer.), which I find very helpful in keeping one cool (as in fresh, not the adjective relating to style). The black cap serves 3 funtions: first, it prevents the back of the neck from tanning - a part of the body which I notice tans really REALLY quickly -; second, it spices up your usual 'style' by giving off a distinct street/urban feel; and third, it spares you from doing the whole hair routine. If you're like me sporting a quiff despite having rather thick and wavy hair, then you know what I mean by the hair routine: washing and blow-drying every time you need to go out in order not to look like a mess or like Bruno Mars hair after a night drinking A LOT. Again, if you're like me and not a big cap wearer, go for black. It's much easier to use and match. Play if safe until you're comfortable enough to wear different colours - again it's all about being comfortable. I also chose to complete the look with a long-sleeved plaid shirt which I got as a gift - a piece which rarely leaves the confines of my wardrobe. When receiving a piece of clothing as gift, it's always tricky to fit it into your existing wardrobe. But to make the most of your wardrobe - read to get as many different outfits as possible from your wardrobe pieces - and thus increasing your wardrobe output for the same input (don't worry if it gets too technical, I'll be writing about this concept in my Midweek Mode post The Economics of Fashion), it is important to find ways to blend your clothing gifts into your existing closet. So, as you can see in the picture below, I used the plaid shirt as an outerwear piece rather than one innerwear/base piece, and can even pass it off as an accessory when it is worn wrapped around the waist. This way, you can still add a bit of street style to your ensemble, while sporting a light and summer look. If I get back home rather late in the chilly Curepipe air, I can then pull up the shirt and even button it up mid-length, to block out the chilly breeze and still be comfortable. Finally, I picked my fabric Quiksilver backpack which I bought when I was in Form 3, that is, in 2007 - almost 8 years back! This proves that one should always go for Quality over Quantity (but I'll get to talk more about this in my upcoming post on Wednesday, The Economics of Fashion). Not only does it contributing to the street style, almost adding a skater dude touch to the whole look, but also adds functionality to the outfit. As an urban traveller, you'd need your camera, your city map, wallet, your sunglass case, bottle of water (very important to stay hydrated during your day out in summer. That bag will hold it all, in style!
So this is it for today! Let me know what you thought in the comments below. Have fun with fashion and don't forget to smile! SC Kelvin
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Hey readers! So here I am, getting ready for Sunday's post, The Urban Traveller. If I originally planned on uploading a special Midweek Mode post about an informative piece on how to have a complete and functional wardrobe in an affordable manner. Named The Economics of Fashion, I promise that the wait will be worth the wait!
As some of you might have been aware from my Instagram, I spent the last 48 hours at Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, up in the north, and this resort retreat so happened to coincide with the hesitant Bansi, the most intense cyclone of the Indian Ocean (or so I read earlier!). Even though I did not manage to enjoy the water and other outdoor activities, I still ended up feeling exhausted. What I thought was going to be a restful and calm stay to recharge batteries before university resumes next week actually turned out to be quite tiresome, working on the blog, and university assignments (being stuck in a room with gusts of wind and rain allows for nothing else much really!). I still managed to capture a few shots which I hope to be able to put together for a special Resort upload. But anyway, enough of excuses, I can assure you that Midweek Mode will be on as from Wednesday next, in an effort to bring you all 2 posts a week, one on Sunday and a second one on Wednesday night. As for Sunday 18th, The Urban Traveller will showcase another style which I find to work well for me when I need a comfy and easy-to-put-together outfit: simple versatile pieces which, when mixed and matched, serve to create a completely different look, still for Summer In Style but dissimilar to Posh Summer. So this is it for tonight readers! I wish you a stylish return to university if you're joining next week! Until then, have fun with fashion and don't forget to smile! SC Kelvin Cotton.
There is no other way to head into summer, and there is no other way to head into Summer In Style either! For a fancy meet up at my favourite place to eat or hang out during the day, I would probably wear this outfit and for numerous reasons. First, 100% cotton shorts will allow for your legs to breathe, and, well, your crotch too (provided your undies are cotton too! But then again, why buy anything other than cotton undies...). Anyway, let's not go too deep, down the layers, we'll stick to the surface, for now! So yeah, white shorts - careful if you're travelling by bus - and an olive green polo shirt. I got this one from ESPRIT and simply love it! Also in cotton for +90%, it'll let your upper body breathe nicely. Another cool idea is to get straight cuts and not slim fits for summer; remember, the body needs to breathe. I got an XS because it looked just right and also because I've been losing weight since my gym injury which made me drop a size down. My latest coup de Coeur were these Derby Shoes I got for Christmas from SKECHERS. Although a little heavy, with loafer socks, these pair can take you anywhere! Easy to wear, their biggest plus point is that it is a versatile piece. Those who know me already know that my whole wardrobe - or pretty much everything I own - is versatile. These pair of Derby work from day to night, from a friendly chat to a semi-formal dinner out. I completed the look with my all-time favourite leather wristwatch most of you already know and my silver ring. I picked Wayfarers from ALDO since the metal work matched that of my bag. I feel like this bag takes me anywhere, come summer or winter, rainy day or blazing heat. A men bag always comes in handy, especially for us in Mauritius, where the weather literally changes in every town/city/village/location! A men bag allows to you carry anything you'd need to keep your look: an umbrella to protect your from the rain or sun, maybe a light shirt if you get back home late and it's getting chilly, water for long bus routes, the book you're reading, your sunglass case - very important! Posh. I feel like the whole ensemble gives off a rather posh look. Here, it's not about necessarily being posh, acting posh, but finding a style that works for you. I wouldn't say I have a posh style, but depending on my mood of the day, I do sometimes find that it works pretty well for me. But behind the wonders of mix and match is truly nothing expensive. I bought that polo shirt for half price during BagaSales (Rs600 something); as for the white shortie chino, I bought that in Accra, Ghana during my trip there at Mr Price, for like Rs400. The sunnies were also on sale at Rs390. So all in all, it's a look for under Rs1500, which I think is reasonable when you try to look nice. Of course, I didn't add in the watch, ring, shoes and men bag because they are accessories, which serve to complete the ensemble, without making it one (if that makes sense to you). If you're still visiting family for the New Year festivities daytime, this would work just fine! So that's it for this Sunday! Let me know what you thought of this look in the comments below. See you very soon for another #SundaySpecial! SC Kelvin First Sunday of the Year! Here's to MODE-K's first #SundaySpecial!
Before I proceed, to those looking for a complete look overview, I warn you: it is not one. Not one of those MODE-K-esque piece per piece description of what to wear and how to wear it et cetera- that is scheduled for next week. I will not lie, I have not had time to put up what I wanted to in time for this Sunday, hence my very late post. Shooting all day from 11 a.m. until late afternoon, driving back and from Valetta, meeting family and rushing through my Adobe collection to try creating something decent for tonight got me exhausted! The thought of having to re-do part of the shoot tomorrow - yes, I will have to because of one stupid stupid mistake - is already killing me! But in any case, here's to MODE-K's first Sunday Special. More of an introduction to what is going to follow, this blog post is probably a foretaste, a preview, a sneak peek. Summer is that time of the year when nothing but a loose tank top and swim-shorts feel comfortable to wear; bear in mind that it is a 'Curepipian' talking, or writing rather! I literally have no idea how residents of coastal regions bear the heat! So my Summer 2015 In Style series, probably stretching until late April (depending on weather and how many looks I can actually put together!), will consist of a blog entry every Sunday (or so I hope!) to highlight some of my fashion moods and looks of Summer 2015. I am also looking to writing during the week, probably about student life, Mauritian life or just random reflections which I deemed worthy of sharing with you all. I hope that you enjoyed this foretaste. Stay tuned next Sunday for a complete overview of what I wore up there (in the promo picture). Until then, have fun with fashion and don't forget to smile! P.S. Massive thanks to my cousin Kensley Suddoo and good friend Khatleen Minerve for their help and support! SC Kelvin SO HERE WE ARE!
Three years after my very first few words, right here, on this virtual platform, this blog, this shared cocoon. I had started out shyly, probably writing carefully-thought words, one after the other, much in the same fashion as I am doing now, to my surprise. Getting back to blogging, after an eventful year which barely allowed me time to regularly update my blog, was a need. But now that I am back on, behind my monitor screen, things are harder than expected. Has it been too long? Today is not day to doubt oneself. Today is Day One. Day One of another cycle. Day One of 2015. Although I believe that January 1st is just like another of first of the month, another man-made scale of measuring the incessant flow of time, calling this January 1st as New Year changes a lot. The New Year. The new. The fresh. Day One. Although everything feels just the same around us, calling today New Year allows us to adopt, or try at least, a new perspective, a new lens into the world. So here is to Day One. Of a new year. Of a fresh start. And of a new beginning. P.S. Massive thanks to my cousin Kensley Suddoo and good friend Khatleen Minerve for their support and help! Sine Cera Kelvin |
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September 2015
AUTHOR22-year old Fashion enthusiast. Find here ramblings about my fashion moods and occasional reflections. Categories |