By Romina Tobias

Despite geography bestowing Manila a fall/winter-free fashion calendar, streets still spawn with seasoned style…a dash of whimsy here, shots of color there, a heavy sprinkling of shapes and cuts, a mixture of silhouettes…its a boiling brew of sartorial fantasy, only to be reveled by those with a penchant for all things wonderfully surreal.

All year-round, streets in Manila form a kaleidoscope of color binding profusions of pop couture, vintage dressing, and pimped out retail basics… all avoiding the cookie-cutter pieces. Style is as temperamental as the weather. Dark clouds can never foretell whether the summer dress will be overturned, nor could the ultra humid climate, keep those snazzy pairs of boots inside the closet. Filipino fashion-philes dress as they please, and anywhere that has space is their catwalk.

The ladies are always head over heels in-love with the ever so functional dress. From the frivolously romantic, the roomy tent dresses, body-skimming silhouettes, plaids and prints, worn alone or over a pair of tights, these sylphs stylishly swish from working day jobs to sipping martinis by the bar at night.

Whether in party frocks or not, shoe choice is of the essence. Ballet flats are a staple as they fuse comfort and flair to its muses. Trend-setting souls on the other hand prefer the adventure of the boot. Suede boots, ankle or slouch boots are for them, they were really made for walking. And despite the unparalleled coziness of the flat sole, the vixens at heart are never too shy to show their affection for the stiletto. Whether in skinny jeans or their mini dresses, heels add the punctuation mark to a sexy fashion statement.

Accessories range from shape-shifting belts, bold earrings, cuffs and bangles, head wraps, and scarves, that all give a fresh spin to what could have been just a so-so ensemble.

Men are just as playful. Their parade of show stopping fashion consists of graphic tees, the layering of the classic and casual over the dependable denims either in neutral shades or psychedelic hues like purple. No over-the-top blings for the gents. Their add-ons usually come in hats, vests, jackets, ties, a pair of shades, and some simple chains.

Manila streets, malls, and parties are the perfects places to style spy on how Filipino urbanites translate fashion. There, one can witness how basic cuts and shades give way to the geometric, the adventurous prints, the daring cuts…sometimes rugged, mix-matched, and seldom too simple.