As a trentahin, I’ve embraced a simpler style

Muted colors, quieter designs, and adaptable pieces are my go-tos now.

As someone in my trentahin era, dressing up has become simpler.

During my undergraduate years—and even as a twentysomething who just entered the workforce—I gravitated toward the loudest clothes: edgy statement shirts, complex tops, and Lito Atienza-style floral polos.

These days, I find myself choosing loose, plain shirts: in white, off-white, cream, olive green, gray, or black. Denim and bomber jackets are more than welcome. Nothing beats classic navy jeans or above-the-knee black shorts. At most, cargo pants in dark hues are as “loud” as I get.

In other words, less is more.

Am I tired of life? Far from it. For what it’s worth, I’ve just become more comfortable with myself. I know what I like, what suits me, and what I can wear again and again.

I haven’t bought new clothes in months, but I still find myself “fitting” simple clothes in my head whenever I pass by a store or see something on my feed.

I got to put that mindset to the test at a media preview of UNIQLO, which celebrates its “LifeWear Week” from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. The Japanese brand’s longstanding philosophy is about clothes that are “simple to care for, consistently pleasing, and just right for daily life.”

At the global flagship store in Makati, radar Lifestyle and other members of the media were directed to designated stations to try items from across the LifeWear range. They weren’t necessarily the brand’s new Fall/Winter arrivals; we were simply asked to choose what caught our eye.

My first pick was the Coverall, a vintage-looking, workwear-style denim jacket with a brown corduroy collar. It feels straight out of a series or movie from the 2000s or earlier. With a white shirt and any dark pants, it’s as pangmalakasan as it gets. Aura farming, if you will.

Then my eye went to something more understated: the Cotton Linen Short Sleeve Shirt. Once I tried it on, I liked its loose, roomy fit and relaxed feel. Its clean, no-frills look doesn’t try too hard. I went for brown, a timeless shade that works easily with my current wardrobe.

The Sweat Oversized Pullover Hoodie was fine as well. Not too loose, not too fitted. Though I wore it with pants during the preview, I could already picture it with shorts, whether for a typical labas or to keep warm during these chilly tag-ulan days.

The Milano Ribbed Short Collar was fine, too. Its versatility is hard to miss: it works open or closed, with shorts or pants, and with the sleeves rolled or left as they are. I especially preferred the off-white, “Natural” shade—for obvious reasons.

Then came the Barrel Jeans. There’s no other way to put it: swabe ang bagsak. I won’t deny being one of those who jumped on the bandwagon when today’s generation brought them back as part of the retro aesthetic. And honestly, gets na gets. The silhouette is roomy, the fit feels natural, and perhaps most importantly, it plays well with whatever footwear I happen to already own: dress shoes, sneakers, boots, and even clogs.

As for the Jersey Easy Cargo Pants, it’s easy to see why they’re a longtime bestseller. They’re easygoing without looking too casual, practical without sacrificing style. I can easily wear them for quick mall trips, spontaneous dates, or even work days.

The Smart Culotte was probably the biggest surprise for me, as I’d never really tried a pair myself. But once I did, I quickly understood the appeal—in terms of fit and style. It may carry the “Women’s” label, but good clothes know no gender.

By the time we returned the clothes, I already knew which ones could budol me into upgrading my wardrobe again.

I appreciated how I kept gravitating toward denim, darker shades, and the occasional off-white or cream. Loose fits have become just as appealing, especially because they can be mixed, matched, and worn anytime, anywhere.

Maybe this is what my trentahin era looks like, fashion-wise: simpler fits, clearer choices, and greater comfort.