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MATTEHATTER
Someone suggested that I should start a personal style blog. And I thought to myself, "Why not?" It could be really fun. Or not. Anyhoo, this is my little hole-in-the-wall of vintage finds, style obsessions and the sort. Let's not take things too seriously around here, shall we?


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Floral Pastels
POSTED ON : Sunday, 16 June 2013
There's usually this stigma of being effeminate or ladylike when it comes to wearing floral prints (for guys of course). Well, I'm gonna make a little confession here. I'm OBSESSED with floral prints. And it's not even like a mild obsession, I would grab anything I see that's floral and nice. Does that make me any less manly than I already am? I don't think so. Get over your manhood issues and start rocking them, will ya? HAHAHA all right I kid. I, for one, used to be really shy with floral as well. So much for playing the nonchalant guy.

I guess once you have succumbed to what they call "flower power", it's hard to look back. These days, there is a multitude of designs, styles, colours etc. Gone are the days where we only have run-off-the-mill Hawaiian vacation shirts. It really comes down to your personal taste as to which sort of floral print appeals to you the most. They are not always about bold patterns and loud colours y'know. So if you're new to this and do not wish to overdo the bloom, I say go for more subtle prints and neutral tones. They attract less attention and are much easier to go with your wardrobe staples, don't you think?








I love this shirt that I got from United Colors of Benetton (or you can get it here as well). Shades of grey with well appointed floral accents that are not screaming out. I decided to keep it clean with a simple pair of chinos, I like how it adds a pastel touch to the entire ensemble. Overall, one of my personal favorite looks. What do you think?

On Me: Floral Print Shirt by United Colors of Benetton, Washed Red Chinos by Dockers, Shades by Komono, Watch by Triwa, Chukkas by Timberland, Briefcase by Bally (Thrifted) 

 Photography: Amanda Wong
When she's not going awww over cats (Bengal cats in particular) or busy editing tons of photos, she's flaunting her "muscles" and trying to upkeep her "manly" image which I would consider a flop HAHA (a good thing really, she's an amazing girl through and through). I'm lucky enough to have her input and photography expertise on this entry despite her busy schedule. With possibly more collaborations to come, I would like to offer my sincere thanks in the form of drinks. Or kittens. Jokes on the latter :)

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Gillman Barracks
POSTED ON : Saturday, 20 April 2013
A few weeks back, I was too bored and decided to dwell into a deep reflection of myself as a person. The conclusion of the reflection? I can be an oddball at times, I'm always late and I have absolutely zero cultural depth. Let's work on the easy one.

I slowly began to develop an appreciation for the arts and the commendable effort behind every piece of work. I started opening my eyes to local budding artists, exposing myself to another side of Singapore I haven't come to know about (shame on me) - its vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Talking in generalities doesn't really help here. So lets's talk about Gillman Barracks, shall we?

A former military site (how apt now that I'm in the army) preserved and transformed into a contemporary art cluster, Gillman Barracks is the answer to Singapore's bid to make art a bigger part of people's lives. It houses 17 commercial galleries (each with its own unique and distinct styles) and a Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA). And to make things even sweeter, it's free of charge.

Set amidst lush greenery, I thought it would be a cool place for an outfit shoot. So here goes:











I had a chance to speak with one of the curators at the Rodel Tapaya Exhibition. She filled me in on the many exciting events that Gillman Barracks has in plans. Despite that, she admitted the place is a ghost town.

"Not many people have actually come to know about Gillman Barracks. It can get pretty quiet around here on a daily basis. We are beefing up on our marketing efforts right now but it's all a step at a time" 








We often claim that the arts scene in Singapore is lacking and inadequate. Probably due to its insane censorship regulations - Singapore is not exactly the most open society around. I totally get that, especially after the recent incident with the Sticker Lady (oh by the way, your stickers and artwork were really awesome) and disruptive art as a whole.  But I feel sometimes we may either be too overly critical or just plain indifferent towards the local arts scene.

I strongly believe that support should always come from home. If we don't even have that, how do we expect our local artists/art communities to have any form of improvement, and needless to say, gain any international recognition?

So it's the weekends now. You have yet to plan anything. I say make a trip down to Gillman Barracks. Pictures really don't do justice to the amazing display of artworks and its entire aesthetic allure. Like many of the best experiences, you just have to be there.

Photo Credits: Gillman Barracks
This one is my personal favorite, but I wasn't able to take a nice picture when I was there. So I had to resort to taking it from the site~

On Me: Green Jacket(thrifted), Striped Tee by H&M, Chino Pants by Muji
Photography: Benedict

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Springing Back to Basics
POSTED ON : Monday, 25 March 2013
So Spring is upon us... Not like we can feel much of it anyway, but Spring always calls for some light layering. And I like to think that a cardigan isn't too much. It's a simple way to add a layer without too much bulk. The key to wearing a cardigan in our unforgiving heat? Invest in one that's sheer and thin, something of lightweight material yet doesn't look cheap on the texture. Threads coming out everywhere like little earthworms are a no-no.

Lowrys Farm anyone? $30+ for a cardigan sounds good? Sounds AWESOME to me. And so I pulled the trigger on this teal cardigan. It's so breathable I had no qualms about feeling hot or bothered when I was out doing my thing. Lowrys Farm tend to have some really nice basics and patterned shirts that can go really cheap during its sale. Like dirt cheap. You might wanna go check them out.




I used to wonder how do I get the right look. Do I wear something out of my comfort zone? Should I try what sartorially-inclined guys are dishing out online? Then it struck me. A good rule of thumb is to always keep it simple, because day-to-day wear should always be effortless and natural. Whenever I find myself getting lost in transition, I go back to basics.

I like how the basics formula oozes a sophisticated brand of minimalist vibe. Throw in an accessory or two to give it that subtle hint of individuality. You can never go wrong with them unless you decide that you wanna be a premature Christmas tree. Or Snoop Dogg with those little braids and his chain-hang-lows. Of course, an iPad never hurts :)


On Me: Teal Cardigan by Lowrys Farm, Candy Skull Beaded Necklace by Wood Wood , Navy Chinos by Muji

Photography: Benedict - thanks alot man! Drinks are on me the next time. 
P.S - This guy has insect fetish.  He loves shooting them. You get what I mean. 

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No Sweat Summer Style: Stripes & Colors
POSTED ON : Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Anyone who knows me would know that I'm a huge fan of stripes. Striped basics are just so versatile; they could go with everything. By itself, I think it just has that summer appeal that I like. Well for a fact, we ARE staying in Singapore.

So if you like to keep things casual yet not look too shabby, stripes are the perfect choice of wear. And as the season tips in favor of a kaleidoscopic palette, I decided to indulge in some brighter tones to keep things fresh. When it comes to colors, it's not always about making bold statements with wild color combinations. I prefer to add a subtle chromatic touch to an otherwise neutral outfit.







Saturated pants like the one I'm wearing are usually great to add that right amount of pop that doesn't get you stares. Straying away from my penchant for more earthly tones, there are a few things to take note when wearing such colored pants:
  • First of all, don't wear the same color in other pieces (unless it's an accenting color but not recommended still) - that will make you look like a real-life teletubby. Seriously.
  • Always find the right composition. If you want to commit to a colored pants, you gotta keep the top pretty simple. The pants should be the main color draw and toning it down with neutrals like blue or grey could work really well.
  • Feel comfortable in your own skin. Or in this case, the color you're wearing. Do not choose a color that you will feel out of place in, since your legs make a good half of your body and that pretty much says everything. (For me, bright orange makes me feel like I'm one giant walking carrot)  
If you'd like to have a deeper insight into the use of color palettes, I always go to Color Collective as my source of inspiration. Enjoy experimenting y'all!



On Me: Striped Sweatshirt by Uniqlo, Faded Chinos by Dockers, Sandals by Timberland

 Photography: Sufyan

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Style Inspiration: Menswear Dog
POSTED ON : Wednesday, 27 February 2013




Just recently, I've stumbled upon this unusual menswear tumblr blog - Menswear Dog. For those who love the two, you get the best of  both worlds now (well I certainly do!). Starring this handsome little Shiba Inu here who has a natural flair for the camera, Menswear Dog offers delightful yet pragmatic outfits that I would wanna try on any day. 

Who knew that there ever comes a day I would take style advice from a dog? And a dapper one at that. Welcome to the 21st century, my friend. 

Here's one of my favorite piece of style advice from THE dawg himself:


Now you get what I mean? Gotta love this dog, he's a style guru through and through.

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Wardrobe Essentials: Denim Jacket
POSTED ON : Monday, 25 February 2013
The denim jacket has been a staple in my wardrobe since way back. Check out my young kiddo self sporting a denim jacket, feeling just comfortable in my own skin :)


Maybe I wasn't the sartorially suave guy I thought I was HAHA but I wore a denim jacket nonetheless. All my favorite stars back in those days wore them and I felt like a badass wearing one - you know one of those childhood idolization every guy used to have when they were young. Looking back, the denim jacket has transcended countless trends and time itself. Very few pieces in a men's wardrobe can be as comfortable as they are durable. And be adaptable to nearly any style and color, from preps to rebels and everyone in between.

Point is, the denim jacket will always be a timeless classic and investment-worthy piece of outerwear. Of course, this is nothing new to all you denim aficionados out there who have a tried and proven jacket that you so adore. But if you haven't own one yet, you might want to consider getting it. More and more variations of the denim jacket have been released in recent years and that means that there are a multitude of styles, cuts and wash for you to choose from. Here are some that I really like:

Levi's Many Variations of its Denim Jacket

For those who are new to this, you may want to opt for a crisp blue summer wash/indigo denim to start off that will contrast against your jeans color. From there, you could experiment what kind of style and wash suits you best. If you are feeling a little adventurous, you could even go for black/grey denim for a monochrome look. Or you could check out how I like to wear mine.









I got this Levi's bleached jacket second-hand from a vintage boutique in Taiwan and I haven't had one single bit of buyer's remorse. It's simply a tremendous find for the price that I have gotten it for. I like to fold the sleeves up for a more casual look; this could be a great alternative if the sleeves of your jacket are too long for you.

The weather has been really erratic recently and it's just so hard to do a proper outdoor shoot. I would like to give a quick shout out to Sufyan - thank you so much for the amazing pictures despite the rain. This is our first time collaborating and you can definitely expect more of his works in the posts to come!


On Me: Thrifted Levi's Bleached Jacket, Henley Tee by Fourskin, Chinos by Muji, Wallabees by Clarks

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Trends from 2012 that should take the bench in 2013
POSTED ON : Thursday, 17 January 2013
I believe everyone has had a smooth transition into the new year by now. The first month always provides us with a good opportunity to reflect on the past year and think about what we really want/don't want this year. So I thought it would be cool to evaluate which styles, brands and expressions have become ubiquitous in the local menswear scene last year (some in a not so good way). Since the following will be based on my own personal opinions and observations, let's all read on with an open heart and mind shall we?

1. The Skinny-Jeans-with-Boots Culture 

The Look:
Top - The only variable in this whole equation
Bottom - Your favourite pair/fit of April 77 or Nudie Jeans (self-inflicted wear and tear with fade is a must)
Shoes - Your favourite pair of either Dr Martens or Red Wing
Accessories - Small leather pouches and straps along with keys, hanging around the waist for God knows what reason


I assume that everyone should have at least a vague idea of what I'm referring to since they are so common on the streets nowadays. There's nothing wrong with this denim-leather culture. But what I don't get is how mostly everyone only gets April 77/Nudie for bottom, with Dr Marts/Red Wing to complete the look. And regardless of individual build and height, this look has somehow become the default look for many guys in Singapore - with 2012 seeing its immense rise in popularity.


Here's a reality check. We have to understand that not all of us can work the skinny jeans look - guys with bigger/muscular thighs, guys with a larger body frame or guys with a longer body to leg ratio. And it's not the end of the world. There are always other styles/jean fits that you could try and who knows, they may just complement your body perfectly.

2. Abercrombie & Fitch
2012 also saw the rise of this particular brand in Singapore - Abercrombie & Fitch. With its launch featuring a fierce parade of internationally handpicked man candy, A&F Singapore has never looked back since. Guys wearing the A&F T-shirts (ahem plain-looking T-shirts ahem) and living the so called "All-American" style just comes to show how it has officially become a glorified replacement of  New Urban Male in Singapore. It has probably got a lot to do with the direction of its marketing campaigns as well, so yea, I could be biased.

3. Snapback Caps
The snapbacks experienced a revitalization in 2012 and like most trends, they were welcomed with open arms - making them work with almost every form of outfit. However it was only a matter of time before anyone could be seen wearing one in Singapore. New Era caps were selling like hotcakes and the trend became more over-the-top as the caps grew louder by the moment. Add on the fact that every newly-enlisted recruit will wear them when they have to shave their heads; and you've got every reason to not wear them out as often.

That's not to say that snapbacks should disappear altogether. On the contrary, it would be nice to see it take the back seat for a while and come back every now and then, when it's been infused with some renewed sensibility.

4. Baggu Canvas Duck Bags
Here's a Baggu. There's a Baggu. Everywhere's a Baggu. 2012 definitely belonged to the year of the Baggu, especially the Canvas Duck Bag. And guess what? I have no idea what's with the hype. The most probable appeal would be the ever-changing assortment of colours and prints (and its price) that it comes in. Seems like the natural choice for a casual bag but definitely not anything stylish if you ask me. I have come across many guys who were dressed to the nines with the Baggu bag and it simply can't make the look work!

5. Jeans + Flip-Flops

You are not at the beach - put on some shoes. And I'm not even sure if the look is supposed to say "I don't give a damn". But I've seen guys wearing them with a carefully chosen ensemble and that clearly shows that they do give a damn. If you are spending so much effort (and money) on your clothes, why would you wear them with flip-flops? No reason can justify that. Not the unforgiving weather nor any form of social acceptance of man-pedicure. Not even Havianas (Slippers are slippers are slippers). So just put on some shoes and shed the flip-flops unless you are going somewhere nearby. If you wanted anything convenient, slip-ons are made for that exact purpose.


So what do you think? It would be unfair for me to wish any trend's non-existence. Who am I to say that? Some trends/brands may not be what I like but I firmly believe they have all contributed, in one way or another, to each's personal style.

Let me in on which trends you wish could take the bench in 2013 as well as the ones you are looking forward to in the comments section below. And if you wish to dispute - feel free to do so. The aim of this entry is to generate a healthy discussion on menswear anyway. Have a good weekend ahead y'all :)









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