Because I can't think of anything more creative than "Back to Basics"

Nadine and I were trying on pairs of shoes yesterday, when she saw a five-inch stiletto with silver studs on black suede. She remarked that studs are the embellishment du jour. I am not sure whether I am jaded, my workplace has affected my preferences (I'm a merchandiser/ marketing officer for Viseversa, which has refined styles), or  what I hope is not the real reason: I am getting old; but I threw a semi-fit and said that such trends appear every year and there's nothing really new to expect of mass production fashion. Check this WhoWhatWear post, for example:

 Click to enlarge

Leopard prints, red leather, maxi dresses... we've seen and heard and felt this even just a year ago! Of course, such trend behavior is very economical - buy a trendy piece now, keep it when the trend wanes, wait another year and you can be (ironically) fashion-forward again.

I wish that with my complaints about trends, there's something major I can do about it but I have begun to make basic clothing choices. My usual work and play clothes include:

A black dress

A black pencil skirt and a graphic t-shirt (I'm on the hunt for a plain V-neck and I hope a trip to Forever21 will do the trick)

Gray slacks

This and other button-down shirts

Jeans

Tan heels

I know this is not in Tim Gunn's must-have basics, but I love my violet metallic flats worthy of causing heavy traffic in EDSA. If I had them in gray sequined leopard print, that would be nice. Please e-mail me for my shipping address and my foot measures 9" US Size 6.

My classmate/friend/workmate Khai also mentioned she wanted to reinvent her style. I want to streamline mine. So although I have sworn off jeans, what I am wearing right now really adds inches to my height especially when worn with heels. I like the casual chic effect - jeans with heels (back in year 2000 my cousins said it was a big NO), graphic shirt with pencil skirt, dress with boyish shoes.

Everyone says we all look the same in our basic pieces, and I admit I said that before. But I would rather look presentable and put together effortlessly than pile on a mess of shredded $50 shirt I could have DIY-ed. Besides, everyone still looks the same - classic, edgy, artsy, what have you. Maybe I am getting old, and maybe deep down I am jealous some people can actually pull off wearing leftover fabric, but I am now sure to "subscribe" to that clothing investment list of Tim Gunn.

Photos from Nadine Camunay and Therese Co