More casual, please, everyone

This summer you should be “feeling free” in simple, casual clothes of bright colours, says the Bangkok Fashion Society, even though it’s feeling restricted itself due to the political chaos.
The continuing protests on the streets of the capital have blocked the umbrella clothing group from holding its usual fashion preview show, but its 13 members are still churning out the top togs of the season, says president Polpat Asavaprapa.
And the look for this summer is comfortable, he says. Asian women, who tend to have smaller figures, should consider pairing a loose top with close-fitting slacks or a drop-top with wide-leg trouser, Polpat suggests. Men can look right in style and still be comfortable in a loose shirt and shorts.
“With a pair of leather shoes, though, the guys look instantly a little more formal. As for colours, go for white, nude or black, while the prints this season are softer and feel better than last season.”
Polpat reckons the overall trend for summer 2014 comes down to the “three R’s”: Reform, Reorder and Relax.
For “Reform”, you connect design with the subculture, grabbing influences as diverse as Impressionist art, graffiti, American history, even a Victorian garden – modernising the ideas all the while.
“Reorder” is about cleaner lines and simplified details as fashion turns back to minimalism for a comfier summer. And “Relax” means less formal styles to suit everyday life without ever being impolite.
The silhouette is now voluminous with wide-leg trousers, wide-sleeve shirts (but no puffs or ruffles), longer shorts and skirts, Polpat says, although he admits that crop tops and short shorts continue to be popular. In the details, we’ll see more lace, appliques, sheerness and transparency, while frills and fringes get sportier.
Among the tones, Polpat identifies “neutral” (white, nude and black), “peaceful and soothing” (blue, pink and grey) and “Vivid and Energise” (lively colours). Prints are commonly art-related, letters of the alphabet or classic polka dots, stripes and flowers.
Polpat’s own brand, Asava, has had its eye on New Yorker magazine, in which stylish people are pictured in everything from sportswear and print bustiers to straight-leg trousers. He’s placed extra emphasis on eyewear too.
The label Curated by Ek Thongprasert proffers a “Giverny Garden” collection of skirts, shorts and shirts with Impressionist-style floral tracery and prints as seen in the paintings of Aristarkh Lentulov and Francoise Nielly. They’re ideal for mixing and matching in cheery pink, blue and yellow.
Greyhound Original’s “21st Century Hippy” line discovers a revolution under way on the social networks, where tie-dye makes a comeback alongside a Hippy Smile pattern on sharp-cut hooded tops, shorts and jumpsuits.
Bhubawit “Roj” Kritpholnara injects Thai pride into Issue’s collection “The Modernising Monarch”, with glimpses of classical Siamese theatre in homage to King Rama V. Colourful prints and embroidery adorn T-shirts, dresses and shorts as well as hats and shoes.
Kloset heads down memory lane to recall “When Mum was Young”. The childhood home and the “flower power” era are evoked in clothes from mother’s closet that are updated with embroidered doves and lace flowers on bell-bottom jeans, jean dresses of varying length, crop tops and platform heels.
Milin plays with modern American culture as awe-inspired Asians see it. There’s a sporty influence in the sexy curves in loose, pleated “cheerleader skirts”, high-cut swimsuits, athletic shorts and sports vests. The letters ABC are embossed on net, spandex, polyester and mesh and a metallic silkscreen appears on leather and foil-like fabric – think take-away meals wrapped in aluminium.
Munchu manages to marshal a mysterious allure, militant toughness, musical taste and hidden gentleness in officers’ jackets atop cocktail dresses and overflowing pants worn with sheer blouses. The fits accentuate healthy curves, and even a vampire rock princess looks hot in the “Goodbye Morning” collection. Bits of lyrics and musical notes appear on the clothes, among them “My Heart is Beating in a Different Way”.
Painkiller’s “Alphabet” line matches the letters to corresponding images – A for Azuki, B for buttons, C for Chrysanthemum. The men’s T-shirts, Oxford shirts and hoodies bear jumbo letters and there is denim everywhere, including a light denim shirt with a white collar.
Playhound finds a pooch pal in Jeff Koons’ famously expensive artwork “Balloon Dog”, applying a “foil screen-printing” technique to in the sewing of easy-to-wear trousers, pyjama-like tops and loose-fitting sweaters that are matched with tailored shorts. Its lightweight pyjama blouses can be teamed with cropped shorts as well.
Senada’s “Look at Me” edition includes off-the-shoulder printed tops paired with flared pants, and a cropped blouse with a casual, knee-length, A-line skirt. Another favourite is a slip dress in vintage lace. Versatile full-length overalls and a vest are coupled with striped tomboy shorts.
The “Time Out Lisboa” collection by Tipanan Srifuengfung at Tu’I takes its cue from the “Time Out” travel guides. All the sites and culture of Lisboa (Lisbon) are visited, including a botanical garden and the striking Azulejos ceramic-tile paintings. Python skin appears in 12 designs, beginning with the square satchel bag Filipe and its companion Filipa.
TuTTi is interested in “Just Love” this season, combining colourful fabrics with fresh gimmicks in iconic bell-bottoms and the “It-Bag Dress”. The latter has a handbag actually sewn on in a frank commentary on consumerism. Another dress is designed to represent a couple kissing – a reminder to take the time to care for one another.
Victeerut treks to the beaches of the French Riviera with nautical stripes adorning silk, high-waist trousers, a crop top and draping details. Its jumpsuit shorts and fitted, draped top with a full skirt keep the emphasis on “austere luxury”.