3 Beautiful Philippine Landscapes to Inspire Your Style This Summer Break

Graphics by Joy Tagle

There is an abundance of culture to be discovered from nature. Today, nearly everything around us is inspired by designs found in nature, and the clothing industry is no exception. Despite the pandemic’s function as an accelerant being visible and felt throughout the whole fashion scene, still, fashion endures, and it continues to see nature as a rich source of inspiration. Perhaps this is why, while in quarantine, international designers like Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, and Riccardo Tisci of Burberry looked to nature’s wide array of visual cues for inspiration. The warm milky glow of the moon amid the skylight, the peaceful shifting of the seasons, and the boundless fields of wildflowers in full bloom all served as inspiration for them, not just in design, but also in life.

Just like these designers, we do our best to pull ourselves out of our lockdown slumps by focusing on our surroundings. From the golden rays of the rising sun that peak through our windows and the songs that birds sing that come as invitations to a new day, to the clothes we wear that can define who we are – we welcome a reality that transcends life’s setbacks and strengthens who we are.

Whether you’re simply staying at home or waiting for your next vacation trip, allow these gorgeous Philippine landscapes to inspire your style. Taking inspiration from 1,776 Chocolate hills, the vibrant hues of the rainbows in Mount Pulag, and the turquoise waters of El Nido – these three locations are a feast for how you express yourself.

El Nido, Palawan

Not comparing El Nido to a fantasy island would be hard to do, especially because that’s exactly what this coast is all about. Its extraordinary natural beauty and ecosystem would not make you wonder why it’s ranked as the 4th in Condé Nast Traveler’s list of “20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” and labeled as the Best Beach and Island in the Philippines, Imagine powdery white sand shores with clear turquoise waters, breathtaking limestone cliffs, secret islands and lagoons, and dramatic sunsets, all in one – El Nido has it all! In addition to the many gorgeous islands off its coast, El Nido caters to adventurers and nature lovers with exciting trips such as cliff climbing, kayaking, waterfall hiking, and lazing on pristine beaches on the main island.

What to wear:

Match the powdery white sand shores and clear turquoise waters with blue and white tones.

Dress and Bag: H&M, Sandals: Forme

Hat, Crop Top, Denim Shorts, Bag and Sandals : H&M

Sunglasses, Shirt, Shorts and Leather Mules : H&M

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

What you’re seeing below are not enormous Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, but the spectacular scenery of the famous Chocolate Hills located in the province of Bohol. The well-known tourist site continues to attract attention due to its distinctive and majestic qualities, which give it strange shapes and cause it to turn brown during the dry season (thus the name) and green during the wet season. Till this day, the exact number of these hills remains unknown but some estimate this number as high as 1,776.

What to wear:

Match the brown Chocolate-looking hills with neutral monochromatic looks.

Sun Hat, Dress, Bag and Sandals : H&M

Bucket Hat: Penshoppe, Shirt, Shorts and Shoes : H&M

Mt. Pulag, Benguet

No vacation to Luzon is complete without visiting its highest mountain, Mount Pulag! Mt. Pulag, with its breathtaking view of the sea of clouds and undulating hills, uphill pathways, and scenic sunrise, reaches a height of 2,926 meters above sea level – bringing you closer to the Heavens. It is not only on every mountaineer’s bucket list, but also on the bucket lists of nature enthusiasts, as the mountain is home to over 500 plant species! Hiking Mt. Pulag might take anywhere from 6 hours to 2-3 days, but the journey is equally as lovely as the destination.

What to wear:

Match the vibrant glow of the sunrise with bright tones.

Cap: Penshoppe, Sunglasses, Sports Bralette, Shorts, Backpack, and Shoes : H&M

Bucket Hat: Penshoppe, Sunglasses, Shirt, Shorts, Backpack, and Shoes : H&M

The purpose of fashion can be as simple as: You need clothing to maneuver in the world. With clothing inspired from nature, specifically the aforementioned Philippine destinations, fashion continues to prove itself as art, and a way that can be used to express ourselves. What you wear, and how you wear it all contribute to your personal expression.

Which Philippine destination would you like to use as your next source of style inspiration? Send us an email to let us know!

H&M Photos courtesy of H&M; and Penshoppe, Forme photos courtesy of Golden ABC

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