Gutsy Fashion LIVE: Spotted at Greenbelt 5

Correspondence Coordinator Judith Octavo

Loose striped black blouse from Liz Claiborne (thrifted)

Blue leggings from Landmark Department Store

Grey flats from Charles and Keith

Pearl necklace and black ring from Wellmanson's, Quiapo

Bag from Victoria's Secret

College student Bernice Go

Dress from Get Laud! purchased at 168 Mall, Divisoria

Beige tube from 168 Mall, Divisoria

Flats from Merona (an American brand)

Bag purchased from a UP College of Music bazaar

Just goes to show that you don't have to spend a lot of money in order to look stylish and pretty!

Gutsy Fashion LIVE: Spotted at the classrooms of Regina Maria Montessori

Freshman Clarissa Macapagal

Freshman Irish Uy

Senior Alyssa Singson

Freshman Guianne Macapayag

These four stylish young ladies came several hours early for their High School Buwan ng Wika program, and GUTSY was able to ambush them for an impromptu fashion shoot of sorts in their classrooms.

We liked how they expressed their youth in quirky and fun ways like multi-colored toenail paint and woven anklets! Their outfits are a welcome whiff of fresh air in an ocean of teenagers wearing tank tops and spaghetti straps.

Gutsy Fashion LIVE : Spotted in the playground of Regina Maria Montessori

Teacher Janette, all relaxed and casual in blue-toned clothing and camel accessories

While it is true that the oomph in a put-together outfit lies in the details (i.e. accessories), one does not need a whole truckload of bling in order to look polished. When wearing a blouse with details like pleating, necklaces are no longer necessary.

We like how commuter-friendly this outfit is, yet it can look equally at home in a mall or at a cafe during merienda with friends!

The S word

Just last week, a friend and I had a mini tiff because we both did not understand what the other meant by the word "sexy." While my friend was going on about how fun and exciting it was to be "sexy," I got especially concerned and said maybe it's best to tone down "sexy" because it's one surefire way of making people forget you're more than just a pair of legs (or whatever else you have). It turns out that all she meant by sexy was make-up and heels--and basically looking pleasant, attractive and approachable--while there I was worrying that, living amidst this mumbo jumbo of media-propagated beauty culture, my dear friend has become sort of numb.

I honestly don't like using the word "sexy" because it is too overused in media that it's become "diluted." You know what I mean: you see a person with celebrity wearing something very stylish and elegant and they call her sexy; then in the next page, a not-so-well-sheathed actress is described with the same word used as a praise, too. What, is "sexy" some sort of catch-all term that means "I don't have any other word to use so here's one I'd like to throw and hopefully you'd all think I gave a compliment"?

I'm like this with words, so please forgive me. I looked up sexy in the dictionary and this is what I learned:

sexy–adjective, sex·i·er, sex·i·est.
1. concerned predominantly or excessively with sex; risqué: a sexy novel.
2. sexually interesting or exciting; radiating sexuality: the sexiest professor on campus.
3. excitingly appealing; glamorous: a sexy new car.

Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada

Sexy is probably overused for it's third meaning because it's much easier to say Anne Hathaway's green coat is sexy than Anne Hathaway's green coat is excitingly appealing. (Besides, if we're going to be all grammatical about it, I may as well point out that: a. "sexy" referring to any item or article of clothing means number 3; b. referring to a person means number 2; and c. referring to an attitude or being, number 1.)

If we just consider meaning number 3, then there really is nothing wrong with sexy--I mean, what's wrong with being glamorous? We all want to be glamorous! and beautiful! and elegant!

The problem, then, lies in the other meanings attached to the S word. Number 2 entails "radiating sexuality," which means putting sexuality above personhood. Some may argue that if you're a woman, you can't help looking like a woman--but of course! I'm not saying we should all dress androgynously. The fact is: there's "ladylike" and then there's dangling one's sexuality for all to see. (At best, the latter just makes you attractive to the opposite sex; at worst, it takes the liberty to scream "Look at me! I'm sexually available!" for you.)

And number 1, of course, is just plain tasteless.

Gutsy Fashion LIVE: Spotted at the UP College of Music

Ms. Therese Gemora, pianist extraordinaire and Stylish Lady

Jet Gemora, the fresh-faced Voice Department resident accompanist slash corporate career woman, was ambushed by GUTSY as she was about to leave the room after a long day at work. We like her no-fuss get-up, which is both dignified, practical, yet pretty! We like how the pearl earrings brightened up her face, and we're envious how she can look so neat and crisp at the end of the day. Of course, having a job that fulfills you will contribute to that quiet aura of joy that Ms. Gemora possesses.

Top from MASTINA (a Hong Kong brand)

Blue Rider jeans from SURPLUS SHOP

Footwear from Matthews (available at SM Department Stores)

Watch from Anne Klein

Bag from FAVE (also from Hong Kong)

What do YOU like about her outfit?

* Aside: I googled "Mastina" and came across this lovely Norwegian woman's blog. She is also an advocate for dignified dressing! Do visit her blog at http://mastina.wordpress.com/ (with more recent entries at http://mastinas.blogspot.com/)

On Maria Callas and Accessories (No. 2)

There are several pictures of La Divina online. Sifting through them, what I find most fascinating (apart from the fantastic outfits and extraordinarily detailed opera costumes) is the woman herself. She was a chameleon, and no two pictures of her are alike. You know how, when you watch America's Next Top Model and some of them are told (and not in a complimentary manner!) that they only have "one look?" Well, Callas is the total opposite. Her "life force" is so powerful, it permeates each photo with an anima that renders even two photos taken at a single photo shoot unique in their own way. The way she tilts her head, or raises her eyebrow an infinitesimal millimeter higher, makes her a worthy subject for us ladies when studying the art of possessing an "interesting face," which to me, is a more beautiful compliment than merely saying "She's pretty."

But I digress. On to the next photo! Please share your thoughts by commenting, and tell us what YOU liked (or didn't) about the picture.

Isn't this a classy look for an evening affair... say, the prom? :) The opera-length black gloves are a throw-back to the glamorous 1950's (think Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, etc.).

The breakdown: Two solid colors. Again, we have a navy blue shawl draped dramatically against a fit gown that beautifully shows Callas' hour glass figure to advantage (and yet, not overly tight such that she can't breathe).

The face: Impeccably groomed eyebrows, well-defined eyes and a pop of bright red lipstick.

The accessories: The aforementioned blue shawl and diamond drop earrings, and a diamond bracelet over the black gloves.

But more than the dignified clothes, again, what makes this photo breathtaking is the woman herself. Observe her posture! If she were stooped or fixed her gaze on the floor, this would have been an ordinary picture.

Our style lesson for the day: There is no substitute for self-confidence and good posture!

On Accessories and Maria Callas (No. 1)

I have just come from the most highly-anticipated show of Philippine theater this year... Cherie Gil's reprisal of the lead role in Terence McNally's MASTER CLASS. She played no other than La Divina, the Diva of all divas herself... Maria Callas.

In the award-winning play, Maria Callas utters this sage advice (among several other bon mots) to aspiring student singers:

"If you want to be remembered, you've got to have a look. You have a very fine face and figure, I'm sure, but you don't have a look. How do you expect people to remember you? There are thousands... no, millions of you out there, and you all look the same. You've got to have a signature!"

Now, this might have been uttered to would-be opera singers, but I'm pretty sure that this is something all of us can learn from. After all, we wouldn't want to dissolve into the sea of humanity ALL the time. There is a difference between "disappearing into" a crowd, and "blending in." Of course, there are situations wherein we purposefully dress down (like when we know we're commuting to a potentially hazardous location), but even the simplest outfit can be dressed up just by adding a simple accessory or two. You can simply bring along some earrings or a scarf in your handbag, and put them on when you're in more civilized territory. :)

Here is the first of a collection of pictures of the famous soprano, and what I liked (style-wise):

See how wearing two contrasting solid colors (navy blue shawl against a snow white dress) can dramatically change one's look? And see how classy drop earrings look when paired with a simple yet elegant coiffure! They draw attention to the face. Let's not forget, ladies, that the most important accessory we can have is our facial expression!

Pictures taken from here.

GUTSY Fashion LIVE: Spotted at Dad's, SM Megamall

Architect Shamcey Supsup, July 2010 Board Topnotcher and Stylish Lady

Beauty and brains in one package!! We like how effortlessly put-together her outfit looks, yet the carefully chosen matching accessories indicate that considerable (but not too much!) thought went into the clothes.

We also like how fittingly the outfit's smart casual nature took her from a day at work to a dinner with friends. Versatility, "put-together-ness," and appropriateness... isn't this what all winning outfits are made of? :)

What, for you, constitutes a "winner" outfit?

Got any photos of dignified, stylish dressing? Send them over to the GUTSY fashion team! :-)

The formal question

Photo of Cate Blanchett (styled by Michael Roberts) taken by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair.

Why is it that when it comes to formal wear, showing off more skin has become the "accepted" way to go?

I've noticed that girls who won't normally wear plunging necklines to the mall seem not to think twice about wearing cleavage-bearing gowns... is it because the more skin you expose, the more festive you look? Or is the formal occasion enough excuse to subscribe (succumb?) to a Hollywood-ized definition of beauty?

When it comes to formal occasions, the need for wearing appropriate attire seems more highlighted (I say seems because appropriate attire is required on all occasions), possibly because it's indicated in the invitation. What makes a dress formal? It's definitely not "more skin," or else beachwear would be formal.

The right dress (a better word would be "evening dress" or "gown," but let's stick to "dress" for more flexibility) for a formal occasion is made of the right fabric (chiffon, silk, velvet, satin, taffeta...) in the right cut (it complements your body type), length (either mid-calf, ankle-length, floor-length), and silhouette (A-line, sheath, empire, mermaid...). I use "right" because all these options must suit the wearer!

Just describing the typical formal gown is making me feel constricted already! But that's just the basic idea; the fun starts in how the lady wears the dress. What color (or color scheme) does she settle with? What kind of shoes does she pair with it? Jewelry? Accessories? Makeup?

Besides all these considerations, there's the underwear to get right: always figure out if your dress needs a slip before wearing it! (Read: Where did the slip go?) Hardly does a dress come with the right lining nowadays.

Now, going back to the question: is more skin-bearing a requirement to formalize the attire? Definitely not! After all, it's all about playing up what looks good on you and not about showing off what you've got. And when each lady dresses the part to celebrate (and not to get attention), the true spirit of the occasion will be better felt.

Fashion Camp!

It's time to start a revolution in the fashion world!

At a time when style is being equated to "showing off what you've got," advocates of person-centered fashion certainly come off as non-conformists. They are the ones who don't believe in everything the media proclaims as "beautiful" because they know what suits them and what highlights who they are (and not what they have).

Getting such fashion revolutionaries together, the GUTSY Fashion Team held their first Fashion Camp on July 31-August 1 at The Coffee Farmhouse, Alfonso, Cavite. In the camp, the gutsy girls learned about the difference between fashion and style, how to choose the right clothes for their body type, how dressing affects the way men look at women, how to give effective talks & presentations, and how to be active advocates of dignified dressing as consumers (and come to think of it--producers) of media.

To know more about this revolutionary movement, how about dropping by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), Ortigas Center, Pasig City, on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at 10:30am? If you're a gutsy girl too, it's never too late to find out how you can help give dignified dressing a leg up.

Fashion non-conformists, unite!