Up the fashion ladder

A HOBBY, an idea, a passion, a trip abroad, a Web page and soon enough you’re designing your own clothes for the shops. Two very different sets of people nudge their way into Bangkok’s style consciousness.

 

 

WEAR IT LIKE A MAN

 

ATTEMPTING to unchain the masses they consider slaves to fashion, Piyasil Kalayanakoul and Kulatuch Sawattanapunkul have built up a new styling community through their blog Wear It Like a Man, where fans of vintage and minimalist Japanese clothes – and a few truly outrageous get-ups – are busy comparing outfits.

The two engineers, both 25, discovered their mutual love of avant-garde threads while studying at Chulalongkorn University. Spending as much time poring through fashion magazines as they did on their textbooks, they went for the sort of clothing that’s basically un-wearable in daily life – but down that road is utter freedom.

Their idea is to help men find a personal style, no matter how conservative or extreme. Their blog – and their three-year-old Facebook page with more than 10,000 followers – offer tips on mixing and matching apparel and colours and reviews of what’s new in the shops. 

“It all comes down to taste,” says Piyasil. “There are all sorts of ways to reflect your character through you choice of clothing. But we make the distinction between ‘trends’, which change with every season, and ‘style’, which means dressing in outfits that fit your figure, your lifestyle and the occasion. That’s the key to being a good-looking man.” 

Interestingly, the two pals have completely different approaches in the way they dress. Piyasil goes for the classic look with button-down oxford shirts and neat slacks, while Kulatuch prefers street clothes like denim shirts, shorts and sneakers. In both cases, though, the way they combine elements is impeccable.

Each man writes a column for the blog. Kulatuch shares his love of Japanese fashion in stories about the places to see, dine and shop in Tokyo and other locales, fully illustrated with lovely photos. 

Kurume, for example, is a town famous for its tonkotsu ramen, handicrafts – and the sneakers made there for the brands Moonstar, Converse, Doek and Shoes Like Pottery. Then it’s off to Kojima, where denim is famously manufactured for Momotaro, Pure Blue Japan and Fullcount and there’s a Denim Street and the Betty Smith Jeans Museum.

“I worked in Yokohama for three years,” Kulatuch says, “and saw how the Japanese dress in their own style, everyone unique. It was fascinating. I try to do the same, but with an easy and simple look, just a shirt and shorts with my New Balance sneakers.”

Piyasil’s column is called “Look” and covers the latest Bangkok trends and advises newcomers. He’s something of an expert when it comes to matching clothing elements and accessories and usually recommends “safe” shades like grey, black, navy blue, beige and brown. But he always stresses that there are no fixed rules when it comes to colour.  

“You should pay attention to good fit, materials and patterns,” he says. “Every detail is important. And on our blog we try to focus on quality Japanese and Thai brands that anyone can afford.”

The duo recently invested some money into publishing in an English-language edition of the book “Tokyo Shop”, which visits 70 boutiques and cafes in the Japanese capital. One spot they recommend is a concept store called the Pool Aoyama, where the fitting rooms occupy a former swimming pool. You can get cool T-shirts with pockets, pullover sweatshirts and canvas totes there. Another place is called Safari, renowned for its vintage merchandise, including second-hand garments from Ralph Laurent, Brooks Brothers and Black Fleece. 

“We spent a few months roaming around Tokyo gathering the information and taking pictures,” says Kulatuch. “Every store in the book is unique in its own way, whether in the concept, the interior design or the products.”

Especially for The Nation’s Sunday Leisure section, they dreamed up two outfits using items from Gin & Milk, the multi-brand boutique at Siam Center. 

Characteristically, Piyasil chose the more formal look, but one that would look great in the office – a tidy denim shirt from Meticulous and charcoal-shade cotton slacks by Jin Vondervic with preppy leather shoes from London Brown and an oversize canvas tote by Container. For Kulatach, it was a white Khaki Bros T-shirt and comfy linen shorts by Jin Vondervic, matched to a smart indigo-dyed cap by Sakol Project and sneakers from Mango Mojito.

 

 

WARDROBE MINISTRY

 

DEFINITELY NOT a portfolio you’ll find in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Cabinet, Wardrobe Ministry is a website launched four years ago by a trio of Thammasat University economics graduates. 

Vasawat Supaamornkul, Vanit Tohsanguanpun and Nath Suriyachantananont, all 26, invested Bt60,000 to turn a hobby into a business chronicling Bangkok grooming services and touting popular brands.

Also found on Facebook, where they have 20,000-plus followers, they cover fashion history, trending topics and runway news as well.

“We’re all fans of designer clothing because the quality is so good,” says Vasawat. “It’s expensive, but it’s worth the money. When we were students we used to go to Chatuchak Weekend Market looking for second-hand brand-name goods, and since graduation we’ve picked up a lot of business experience in different fields. Now we’re doing what we love!” 

Nath is the editor-in-chief, spending his days online monitoring fashion news. The content gleaned from there is adapted to suit Thai tastes, and they also interview specialists on such topics as what women think about male grooming. “We’re all straight men, but when it comes to grooming we pay attention to every detail,” Nat says. “The website tries to educate guys about grooming from head to toe.” 

Vasawat is the business director, keeping an eye on fashion marketing. “Wardrobe Ministry is set up to be everyone’s friend,” he says. 

He’s a true scholar when it comes to matching up colours. “There are all sorts of techniques for combining colours properly, but the perfect match is basic white, navy blue and grey. That alone can give you four different looks.”

Vanit, head of design, guided the production earlier this year of their own tailor-made outfits, with the focus on good fit and quality textiles, as well as affordable prices. They comprise slim-fit oxford shirts, soft cotton T-shirts with small pockets, and trousers in a choice of shapes and styles. 

“They’re playful and simple, but luxuriant at the same time,” says Vanit. “The design is simple but classic, with a good silhouette thanks to traditional tailoring methods and imported fabrics. To complete the look, you just need some beautiful shoes, and for Thai men, a pair of Castle leather loafers would look good anywhere.” 

If you want to look like a prince, Ministry has just the clothes for you at the Contemp Men multi-brand boutique at the Emporium. 

Vanit pairs Ministry’s white oxford shirt with graphic-print shorts by Timo Trunks, leather Edward Green loafers, a Mismo tote from Denmark and colourful bracelets by Miansai. It’s an outfit that will really stand out at Siam Square, he says. 

Vasawat keeps things smart for business meetings with a red woollen jacket from Massimo Dutti, a Wardrobe Ministry T-shirt, Tricker’s wingtip leather shoes and a nylon messenger bag from Orobianco.

And Nath evokes a holiday mood with a Ministry’s oxford shirt partnered with linen shorts by MSGM, leather sandals from Pollini, a luxurious leather bag by the Bridge and a smart hat from Borsalino.

 

 

 

ONLINE AND IN THE SHOPS

>>www.WearItLikeAMan.com

>>www.Facebook.com/WearItLikeAMan 

>>www.WardrobeMinistry.com

>>www.Facebook.com/ WardrobeMinistry 

>>The “Tokyo Shop” guidebook from Wear It Like a Man is available for Bt450 at Kinokuniya, Asia Books, Book Smith, Candide Books & Cafe and the Onion Cafe.

n Wardrobe Ministry’s togs are sold at the Contemp Men boutique at the Emporium.