When I was in college, the in-thing to have were sandals worn by mountaineers. My mom wouldn't buy…read moreme that kind of footwear because she felt that they won't last long. Instead, she'd always buy me boring dark brown Our Tribe leather sandals. Out of frustration, I'd try my best to get rid of my Our Tribe sandals by trying to break their straps through all manner of abuse I could think of, short of using knife or scissors. But I always failed. The sandals lasted even beyond my college days. Back then, I felt that my sandals were unfashionable and old school. But now that I'm a grown up, I know the value of genuine leather and good workmanship. Thus, when it comes to leather wear, I usually go for Our Tribe. Now they have a kiosk in Glorietta 2. They do not offer sandals in this outlet, but they have other leather goods like purses, wallets, passport holders, bracelets, and keychains. All stocks come in different colors that are perfect for gifts to family members and even colleagues at work. Since Our Tribe is a Filipino original, their products are also good souvenir items.

I think in terms of men's fashion, there is a shift from the casual and the indifferent, to the…read morestructured and refined. The idea that men can also be fussy and sartorial about their fashion choices says a lot about how our attitude towards dressing up has changed, with many of the boys having a renewed interest in classic and timeless pieces that just set one apart from the crowd. It doesn't have to be anything striking - the fact that you are dressed in quality clothes that fit well already make you a standout in a city where people go for functionality over aesthetics. Boys can be "maarte" too, and in a good way. That just goes to show that we value self-branding and presentation now as much as the girls do. Shops like Signet in Legazpi Village will pave the way to a more fashion forward Manila. This multi-brand store carries a number of different brands and styles for the modern gentleman. If you like to splurge a little on a few basics, such as a pair of body-hugging Selvedge jeans, or really cool socks to match your power suit, or even fun every day footwear that highlight both comfort and looks, Signet has imported brands that must be in every man's closet. Looking for that Picasso-esque Breton tee for an effortlessly fashionable look? Signet has different brands that have a great fit for every body type. The overall aesthetic is gunning for a strong homage to vintage and classic styles that give the modern gentleman such a polished, refined and nonchalantly classy look. Savoir faire at quite a price, but it's all worth it. I chanced upon this store because I was intrigued by the really classy facade. I love the window display - simple yet elegant. I was waiting for a meeting so I went inside and had a chat with Kevin, one of the shopkeepers. He is very well-versed about his brands and he also gave me a few recommendations as to what brands will suit my lifestyle better. Their store is all about investment pieces that will age well, and though I'm not in a hurry to part with my hard-earned cash even for really nice clothes, it's nice to know that I now know where to shop.

Finding the perfect gift for your boss can be difficult, especially if you think that he or she…read morealready has everything. One place that I have discovered, thanks to my aunt's family, is Fino Leatherware. This Filipino-owned company makes beautiful belts, bags, key chains, purses, passport holders, and wallets that are made from genuine leather. The craftsmanship of their products can give international brands a run for their money. What I like about Fino is that they have modern and colorful designs. Sure, there are other shops that sell authentic and Filipino-made leather goods, but many of them fail to update their products to current fashion standards. Well, not with Fino. Even the product packaging used by this leatherware brand is elegant. You will feel proud of giving away their products as gifts. It doesn't matter if you're just buying a keyholder or a small coin purse, your item will surely look luxurious because of the way it has been wrapped and packaged. Also, since the products are made in the Philippines, they are a lot cheaper than their foreign counterparts. In fact, the price of Fino's bestseller bag is about a third of that made by an Italian signature brand. But the quality of Fino's is the same, if not better.

In the Philippines, most women are accustomed to the "pagawa" culture, which essentially means…read morehaving just about everything you wear custom made--from Christmas dinners to weddings. Which is why it was such a big thing when Myth opened in Greenbelt 5. Unlike your usual retail shops, Myth offers designer RTW finds. That means, gorgeous embellished gowns and perfectly tailored cocktail dresses readily available for purposes. For someone with a busy schedule and not too much time to shop for dresses for special occasions, Myth is a godsend. I can enter the store and come out with the perfect dress. A well curated shop, the boutique offers finds from established (Randy Ortiz, Noel Crisostomo, and Francis Libiran) designers as well as up and coming ones like Nixon Marquez whose embellished tees are my current personal favorites. Its like a quick introduction to Filipino fashion and if you have some balikbayan relatives or foreign friends visiting the country, it's a great place to take them to if they'd like to bring something special home.

Just the place to get some bargain knock offs! Yep, I'm cheap. Everyone's respectful and no one…read morepushes their stuff on to you. Just check them out and get only what you want.

Over the years, Tumblr users have skyrocketed. It's so popular that a lot of kids, teens and hip…read moreyuppies get inspiration from Tumblr blogs. May it be photography, quotes, memes, gifs, art, pop culture, style and most especially fashion. My friend actually introduced my sister and I to Fashion Market. After learning about it, we go there every time were at this mall. Fashion Market is split into 2 sides on the mall - the left and the right. I suggest going through all stores. It can take hours though, haha, but you won't regret it. They have every style and trend you'd typically see on Tumblr, fashion blogs, Youtube beauty channels and fashion week! Inside, you'll also find spas, salons, money changers and ATM's. The prices range from super inexpensive to normal clothing price rates. A lot of stores sell super hip shoes, clothes, hats, shades and even prom dresses and traditional Filipino costumes. Definitely check out these stores I frequent when you're there - (right side) Push Thru, Mastermind Chase and Muradito, (left side) Nava, Berca and Ballow. Happy shopping! :)