hi leyn,

good day!

just started reading your blog and i noticed that you are good in noticing the latest fashion do’s and don’ts, runway looks and don’t-try-this on your next nightout look. Which brings me to why im sending this letter. Call me PICKY-EATER. I’m 22 y.o. Gay male from cebu, a nurse turned billing adviser for a telecommunications company abroad (outsourced-callcenter baby), and im borderlining chubby vs. obesity. I tried to lose weight but i still got a long way to go. Which now brings me to this email. I would like to ask you stuff regarding Clothes that would look good, err great on me, as you know the fashion industry is not that Kind to people who are plus-sized or a bit too JUICY. please indicate trends that would TRY to complement me, my body in general.

thanks… Ü

jeRemiAh

Dear jeRemiAh,

Actually, plus size figured bodies can also wear the latest trends but you just have to know the cut, style and colors. Like it’s recommended to wear a cardigan instead of an old school bulky jacket – though its design should be vertically inclined. The tips below are mentioned in general because fashion trends change every now and then. You just have to know the ABCs of plus size clothing:

Avoid wearing two contrasting colors like blue jeans and an orange top. Pairing such colors emphasizes your middle part. Stick with dark pants and go neutral with your upper body. Looks boring, but at least quite effective.

It’s really not good for plus size people wearing solid bright colored apparel. Aside from the fact that it shows more fabric stretches, it doesn’t camouflage your figure as a whole. And speaking of bright colors, avoid soild purple. Big purple shirts look so Grimace.

Lines and stretches can show off your flabs so it’s not recommended to wear anything spandex. Shop for clothes with substantial fabrics that stay in shape. If you wear shirts a lot, try to be particular with texture and thickness. A polo shirt in Lacoste is a good example, though you don’t have to spend like 3k per garb. You just have to be keen with quality.

Everyone already knows that horizontal stripes make us look wider. If you really dig for prints when buying clothes, just be picky and look for chevron patterns with V shaped graphics.

Inclining style with your profession, it won’t hurt if you put some corporate touch with your clothing. Buy hip length blazers that perfectly fit on you. Wearing blazer adds lining on your chest-torso part and buttoning can hide bulges. Vests and waist length jackets aren’t plus size friendly because it will make your body look “boxed type”. Hooded cardigans are also good replacements for your huge-looking sporty jacket.

With pants, skinny jeans aren’t that big-sized-figure flattering so you have to stick with the straight-cut style. Choose trousers with vertical linings that exactly fit without flare.  With shorts, buy the knee-length ones and avoid Capri pants.

Quit the manly jordan rubber shoes and square tipped loafers. Since lace-ups are in, these kind of pair complement a heavy figure. The slim structure of a lace-up/plimsoll shoe doesn’t make your footwear part bulky.

Let’s admit that whatever apparel we’re in, it doesn’t totally cheat our figure. As I always say, I suggest that you have to invest on quality clothing and look sophisticated as much as possible. Citing locally, Raymond Gutierrez dresses well regardless of his big built. Rumors say he’s gay, but we don’t care. It’s obvious that he’s plus sized BUT people are more excited to see what he’s wearing. You need to have this kind of intuition. Love your body and just add vanity. Also, good physical impression starts with a light aura, smart posture and a contagious smile.

Thanks dear.

Love Lots,

Leyn

Leyn,

Isa ako sa mga libo-libong (hehe) fan ng blogsite mo. I’m so happy to know na ngaun ay mayroon ka ng sariling domain. I hope magtagal ka pa sa blog industry (hahaha diba! parang showbiz industry lang) bukod po sa pagbabasa ng blogs ay mahilig po akong magbasa ng magazine. sa katunayan nagco-collect ako ng cosmo mags. by the way i’m 21 years old and i’m proud to be a gay. napansin ko lang di rin maxado nakakatulong sa akin ang cosmo when it comes to fashion. puro kasi pang girl ang mga fashion advice na nandoon. at bilang isang fashionista sayo ko naisipang mag tanong ng advise kung ano ang mga type ng out fit ang maganda sa paningin ng ibang tao.

As for my body built matangkad po ako, medium built, at may shoulder lenght na hair, hindi naman ako panget kasi as a matter of fact madami naman nagkakandarapa sakin (joke!). sa ngayon kuntento ako sa nakasanayan kong t-shirt, pants, rubber shoes attire since nasa liblib na parte lang naman ako ng parte ng laguna. pero xempre ndi pa rin ma-iiwasan na gustuhin kong sumunod sa trend lalo pa ngayon na nagtatrabaho ako sa isang botique as sales supervisor. sana you can give me advise in what to wear during working days, nigh-outs, and ordinary days at kung anu-ano pa…..

Thanks in advance and God bless you!!!

Jazzie P.

Dear Jazzie P.,

I’m happy that you made effort to send an e-mail. Much appreciated! So far ay pang-3rd gay ka nang nafi-feature ang sulat dito, hulaan nyo nalang kung sino pa yung dalawa. Actually, I have lots of gay friends so I’d base my answer from their preferences. Basing from your profession and fashion statement, I assume that you’re not the Baklang Parlor type and the following suggested outfits suit your lifestyle. To start, I advise that you complete your “basic” closet first.

The items above are cost effective. If you’re practical and think Aldo or Topman is pricey, it’s fun to stroll the malls and look for  good finds with almost the same style. With trousers, I suggest you need to collect the basic colors black, gray and brown. Also make sure to take care of your favorite dark jeans; specially if you’re not as vain as some gay people who apply credit cards just for a pair of Viktor. Hehe.

For Working Days: You can layer the garbs. Wearing light colored-shirts as undergarment won’t hurt a semi-corporate style because the Coat or Cardigan will do the drama. At least you can remove your Coat after work and still look casual.

For Night Outs: Everytime I shop, I always take in mind to buy clothes I can wear during night-outs and at the same time appropriate with our work dress code. This tip can save money. You just need to accentuate if you’re going to a party – like wearing accessories, flashy belt or hat.

Casual Day: Still make yourself look decent during casual days with a pair of jeans, light shirts, aviator shades and sneakers. Avoid wearing Chuck Taylors if you’re too gay for a rock-band-member look. If the temp is going negative, be in a jacket without looking dull because of your light colored shirt.

Lazy Day: Have yourself a pair of sandals. You can match it with jeans or long shorts.

If you’d notice, I suggested pieces of clothing that you can mix and match together. In that way, you’d have a variety without piling junk apparel in your closet. So try to think of the colors and style – does your prospect top fit almost all your trousers and jeans? It’s also helpful to have a trademark bag you can use anyday.

Gay fashion doesn’t always have to be colorful, glittery and everything nice. As what you’ve mentioned, you’re currently working in the town of Laguna. I’m sure you want people to admire your fashion statement instead of being mistaken as a frustrated cosmopolite. Stay gay as you are and look neat, professional, sophisticated but upbeat. With regards to magazines, I honestly don’t collect Cosmo. I’m about to suggest Icon Mag but unfortunately it’s already pulled out from the market according to my gay friends. Your only hope are GQ Magazine (International) and METRO Him (local).

People get bored when I say too much without bashing something. So this ends here. Merry Christmas and wishing you more boys to come. Hahaha. ;P

Love Lots,

Leyn