Hi Leyn,

Magandang araw!

Minsan akong hiniritan ni Mariano na itanong ko daw sayo kung ano ang maimumungkahi mong maaaring gawin para ang neck collar/brace ay maging fashionable. Kaya eto na nga ako, nage-email. Haha!

Just a backgrounder, I have a (not so serious) cervical spine problem. My doctor advised me to wear my neck collar/brace religiously so that it won’t get worse, or else, I might need to undergo surgery (please, God, no.) to correct it or whatever (di ako nakikinig eh. nanay ko kausap niya so kebs ko hehe!). However, I seldom wear the neck brace for the following reasons:

1. MAINIT.
2. UNCOMFORTABLE.
3. OUT OF PLACE SA WARDROBE.

So there. I rarely wear it. But lately, because of work, the stress brought about by it, is causing my cervical spine to hurt once more and I feel the need to wear the neck brace daily to support the spine. Though my email is nagmamarunong@post.com I admittedly do not know everything, so can you suggest ways to make the unfashionable neck brace/collar fashionable?

Thanks thanks thaaaaaaaaaaanks!

-superboi (babae po ako, not bading, btw. girlaloo all the way. hehe.)

Dear superboi,

Alam mo bang ginagamit ka lang ni Mariano para pahirapan ako. Hahaha Wenk. But kidding aside, madali lang naman ang solusyon dyan. Ang sagot lang ay ‘wag mong pilit itago ang pagsuot nang iyong neck brace at mamili nalang nang mga damit na babagayan nito.

Though I’m not sure if your neck brace looks like this…

Just in case ito nga, try to be choosy with your tops and it’s recommended to wear high neckline blouses. Wearing spaghetti straps that show your chest makes it more obvious that you’re in neck braces. I know it’s uncomfortable and sweaty, but if you really want to at least match your clothing with your neck support then you have to sacrifice my dear.

As you’ve noticed, the shades are quite pale and safe. This is to complement the light color of your neck brace. Imagine if you’re in a shocking red or royal blue, the bulkiness on your collar part will be more noticeable. Also, picking light hues will somehow camouflage the color of your neck brace. Never try to use scarves to hide it, panget yun.

In case you’re into accessories, avoid wearing layered style necklaces. You can just be in a simple jewelry with a small pendant. In other terms, accessorize but not too much.

Lastly, we have to accept that wearing such braces isn’t usual and to some extent conflicts fashion. It’s for your health anyway. As recommended, just try to minimize the obviousness of your cervical support. That simple. Kadiri naman siguro kung isa-suggest ko na lagyan mo nang embroidery o sequins ang iyong neck brace diba. So there, I hope your pain lessens ’cause I bet it’s really hard to be in a collar brace everyday. Take care of yourself.

Love Lots,

Leyn

Dear ate leyn,

hi! matagal na akong nagbabasa dito (at sa JS) pero ngayon lang yata kita matatanong tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay. oo nga pala, hindi tungkol sa fashion ang itatanong ko ngayon, pasensya na. anyway, balita ko sikat daw ngayon sa pinas yung bagong commercial ng mcdo (bg music: huling el bimbo). gusto ko sanang itanong kung anong reaksyon mo sa mga JJ* na di naman talaga naabutan ang eheads pero nakiki-ride sa commercial para masabing ‘in’?  sa tingin mo rin ba pwede png sumikat ang eraserheads sa ngayon (kung mgbabati sila) kahit mga tagalized version na ang taste ng karamihan?

xoxo,
lei =)

Alam mo Lei,

Kahit ako di ko naabutan ang E-heads dahil mga Platters, Barbara streisand, at Beegees ang pinapatulan ko noong panahon ng kasikatan nila. Nagsisimula pa lang ako sa pagkamulat ko sa musika nun kaya di ko pa sila pinapansin. Gusto kong magsimula sa basics bago ako makinig ng sikat nong time na yun.

Kung mapapansin mo sa video eh kakilig-kilig naman talaga ito dahil marami sa tao sa panahon ngayon ang nakakarelate dito dahil nakaranas din sila nitong ganitong klase ng eksena sa lablayp kaya minahal siya ng karamihan.

Tungkol naman sa mga JJs na nakiki-ride maging sa tugtugin man o sa komersyal eh ang dapat sa kanila eh pakainin ng maraming Big Mac hanggang sa mamatay sa empatso at palibutan ng mga higanteng speakers ang ulo nila sabay patugtugin sa max volume ang Superproxy ng 500 bajillion times. Pero seriously, hindi na nawawala sa kultura natin ang pagiging “in”. Kahit ano na ata eh nasasakyan natin, ng mga kabataan, at ng mga JJs. Nakakainis mang isipin dahil kumbaga eh nawawalan ng class ang mga tinatangkilik nila pero respetuhan na lang yun. Para naman sa lahat ang musika at ang media kaya karapatan ng lahat na makinabang dito.

At ang pinakamaganda sa Eheads sa palagay ko eh ang pagiging ultimately timeless ng kanilang musika na marahil naging basehan na ng lahat ng banda ngayon. Hindi naman nalaos ang tugtugin ng Eheads. Nawala na ang banda, andiyan pa din ang musika. Hindi mo naman kasi pwedeng matugtog at makanta sa matino (o sa sabugan) na inuman ang tagalized shits, este songs. Andiyan ang kanta ng Eheads para sa lahat lalo na ang pagliligtas sa kantahan kapag walang maisip makanta ang mga lasinggerong tulad ko.

Nagmamahal,

Mariano Juancho

(’wag ka sanang magtampo kung hindi ang may-ari ng sosyalera.net ang sumagot. Sinigurado namang isang batikang blogista ang tutugon kung hindi man si leyn. For sure ay kilala nyo na siya, si Mariano Juancho, ang featured blogger sa latest issue ng PSICOM Nosebleed Magazine. Kaya’t wag nang magpatumpik tumpik pa, bili na!)

*JJ = Jumping Jologs

Dear Leyn ,

Happy holidays nga pala! Matatapos na ang 2008, kagaya ng nakaugalian sa mga magazines, baka makabuti sa mga tumatangkilik sa blog mo na bigyan kami ng iyong fearless fashion forecast for 2009. (Kahit yung first quarter lang) Ano ang magiging hot at not-hot? Sayo ako nagtanong dahil naniniwala ako na mataas ang kalibre ng taste mo sa fashion.

Side question pala! Kung bibigyan ka ng chance na baguhin ang style ng isang Pinay o Pinoy celebrity, sino ito at bakit?

Thanks Sosyalera.

Sosyal na sumusubaybay,

V

Dear V,

Tumambling naman ako sa term na mataas ang kalibre, para lang akong baril. Nyeeeh! Anyhow, marami na rin ang nag-fail sa mga fashion forecast sa mga nagdaang taon dahil karamihan ay hindi naman naging trend. Bumabase lang ang ibang reports sa forecasts ng western o european fashion pero dahil iba ang klima at kultura nila ay hindi naman lahat nauuso sa Manila. So it’s better to just tune up the entire basic fashion trend from Q4 of 2008 instead of totally shifting from another vogue dimension.

Pin-up Girl Look: 2008 was mixed with 70’s and 80’s retro style. For this year, say hello to the seductive stylish 50’s pin-up girl look. This style adaptation can be achieved with a neat hairstyle and bloody red lipstick; patterned prints, skirts, heels and anything femme. Featured at Preview Magazine’s December ‘08 issue, the fashion carries over this year.

Clothing: 2-in-1 piece Playsuits, Pencil skirts, Ruffled Blouses and Boyish Blazers.

Colors: According to fashion designers, Yellow will be hot for 2009. Though fashionistas, will also adapt Purple from what’s hit last Q4 of ‘08. Either way, I’m not wearing any of these flashy colors. Good news for people like me who appreciate dark hues because Black’s never out in the trend. So never give-away your classic LBD (little black dress) because it can cope with any occasion. Other predicted voguish colors will be dark citron, sea green and bright orange.

Design & Prints: It’s a year to be girly! Shop for tops and dresses with ruffles and sequins. Polka Dots might trend up again or anything vintage-y. Checkered and big prints of bright colors will rock again. Just be careful with matching so you won’t end up dressing like Ugly Betty.

Accessories: I’m a fan of Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass’ closet so I’d still stick with the Gossip Girl look. Feathered headbands, bows and ties will remain but it’s better to know when and what occasion to wear them. With scarves, ZigZag prints might fad up.

Footwear: Gladiator flats are already everywhere so fashionistas will be gradually shifting their taste to the T-strap sandals. If you love heels, then Gladiator or T-Strap Pumps are this year’s must-haves.

I have so much ideas and researches in my mind but so little space to elaborate. To point out, these are just general forecasts and I bet more fashion will come our way. And regarding the Pinoy celebrity I want to change style? I think it would be Iwa Moto, in my opinion she looks like a cheap Starlet rather than a Sexy Actress… i hope you get the difference.

I’m sure most of you are looking forward to what’s hot and what’s not. And as for me, I’m just waiting what’d be the next craze after the Emo style. Lastly, thanks for this Buena Mano letter for 2009 V!

Love Lots,

Leyn