Shopping Intel: H&M Fashion Against AIDS 2011 Collection (with Price Lists)

After the previously announced environmentally-friendly Conscious collection, H&M will be launching another special collection for a great social cause in April. The Fashion Against AIDS campaign is back looking way more polished up this year - quite a departure from the previous loud, colorful and celebrity-backed collection from last year.

I really like the use of softer, pastel colors which are perfect for the Spring / Summer look and the use of typography is quite refreshing. My favorite pieces so far from the unisex collection are the grey and orange parkas, several message t-shirts, the grey sweatpants, and oddly, the typography jumpsuit:

 

 

 

 

The collection will be available in all H&M stores on April 28, 2011. 25% of all sales will be donated to HIV/AIDS projects to promote safe sex and raise HIV/AIDS awareness worldwide. Find out the prices for all items in USD right after the jump!

Gossip Guys: It-Girl Happened One Night

Gossip Girl lost me on Valentine's night. I didn't quite understand how one is supposed to prove one's worth by throwing a decadent party; how a full-time college student could also work at a fashion magazine as an executive assistant, full-time; how said full-time college student/fashion magazine executive assistant could tell whether love is true or false by eavesdropping behind curtains; and how an ex-convict could get over being thrown under the bus in public and then come crawling back in just a few hours. But then again, nothing is impossible on the Upper East Side. 

What I did get, though, was all the hot outfits every one was wearing. Let's dive into our weekly Gossip Girl menswear fashion recap!

Photo credit: The CW

Nate Archibald strikes again in this classic black peacoat. This one isn't as gorgeous as the Gucci one from last week, but still looks great. That's the thing I love about peacoats - you can never really go wrong with them. So it'd be wise to invest heavily in one that fits you well and in a color and cut that you can wear for a long time.

Here's a very nice peacoat I found online from American Eagle Outfitters which looks quite similar to the one Nate was wearing. Too bad only the biggers sizes are available; otherwise, at US$89.95 it's a total bargain.

Photo credit: American Eagle Outfitters

Photo credit: The CW

Chuck Bass was the one throwing the decadent party I was talking about earlier. This outfit is perfect for the party and Chuck looks smashing with the white bow-tie and rose accessory. I thought the white bow-tie was a curve ball considering we're usually accustomed to bow-ties in a different color than the shirt. But the monochromatic effect worked out really tastefully and the rose was spot-on. In an outfit like this one, you know he's definitely someone's valentine.

Photo credit: The CW

So I was right about Eric van der Woodsen having a smaller clothing budget than the rest of the core members of the cast! Eric was spotted wearing the same duffle coat three weeks in a row! Even though he looks cute with the navy scarf which hid his usual plaid shirt and sweater combo, they really need to get him in another coat or jacket. He's supposed to be rich.

As for Dan Humphrey, he hopped on the leather gloves bandwagon but looked rather boring in this grey and black number.

Wanna see more of Nate Archibald? And guess who's still lurking around when we thought he was exiled for good last week? Find out after the jump!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all 12 Cavaliers readers! 

Here's my very own personal Valentine's Day playlist to share with you all. There's a bit of everything for everyone - like a box of chocolates, from me to you. Hope you'll enjoy it with (or even without) your valentines!

SS2011 Shopping List Item #5: Baseball jackets

Photo credit: PopSugar.com

Photo credit: PerezHilton.com 

Photo credit: 5preview

5. Baseball jackets

My obsession with baseball jackets has reached fever pitch after Zac Efron, Joe Jonas, and Lookbook.nu celebrity Andreas Wijk were seen wearing them back to back to back over the last couple of days.

Baseball jackets are perfect for this Spring / Summer because the sporty look is totally on trend, but at the same time, the retro vibe is also very timeless. Wear a simple t-shirt underneath like Zac and Joe or layer it up like Andreas - they're super versatile and can be very easily blended into our everyday wardrobe.

As a side (and cheeky) note, this baseball jacket trend might very well have been brought on by one of my favorite and the most popular show on TV right now - Glee!

Photo credit: Fox Broadcasting Company

Last year, denim jackets were huge; this year, I think baseball jackets are the new denim jackets!

Recap of the previous four items on my SS2011 Shopping List:
1. Leather belts with a twist
2. Clothes with blotches of paint on them
3. Leather shoes with colorful soles
4. Light beige-tone jackets

Gossip Guys: Panic Roommate

This week on Gossip Girl, everyone is back scheming and plotting: Dan, Eric and Damien teamed up against Ben, but in the end, Ben triumphed while Damien waved the white flag; Chuck's plan also backfired but all's not lost when Blair stepped in with some damage control after her own plan (sort of) worked and she got way more than what she bargained for.

Like every other episode, all the dirty work was done in stylish and chic outfits, so without further ado, let's move on to our weekly Gossip Girl menswear fashion recap!

Photo credit: The CW

Nate Archibald is back... fashion-wise! After donning one too many plaid shirts and the occasional tuxedoes, Nate was seen wearing this gorgeous peacoat from Gucci's FW2010 collection (see below) on this week's episode. I'm loving everything about this coat, from the color to the collar, and the elbow patches to the cuffs... absolutely everything. I've been on the scout for a nice peacoat for some time and I think I've found thee perfect one. Or at least the perfect one to reference after when looking for a close substitute at Zara or H&M.

Photo credit: Gucci via GQ.com

Photo credit: The CW

Not to be upstaged by his roommate, Chuck Bass spent the entire episode trying to win Raina Thorpe's heart in this preppy combo with a pinkish purple shirt, purple paisley tie and a classic navy peacoat - which mildly reminds me of the one from Lanvin's collaboration with H&M last year (see below). If you're in the mood to go preppy and dandy all the way, this color coordination would do no wrong.

Photo credit: H&M

Photo credit: The CW

Another peacoat! Seriously, they're trying to make me feel bad about not owning one myself. Now even the least fashionable of the bunch, Dan Humphrey, has one. Dan was sporting this grey one and I think I've seen something quite similar at H&M (see below). Not loving the green x beige scarf but otherwise a nice effort from Dan.

Photo credit: H&M via Styles I Love

Missing Damien already? And what about Eric? More looks from the guys on Gossip Girl after the jump!

Guess who's coming to town?

U.S. clothing and accessories giant, American Eagle Outfitters, is finally making a landing in Hong Kong this March! Find out where it's headed to right after the jump!