3 Style Lessons We Learned From Our Fathers

This Father’s Day, Vogue Philippines editors and writers reflect on the style lessons we learned from our fathers.

Sometimes, the best style advice comes from our fathers. In a previous personal conversation with designer Joey Samson, he shared that his eye for detail came from his father, who believed one should be well-dressed when stepping out of the house. My own father has a love for shoes and is meticulous with caring for and storing them properly. In a similar fashion, Vogue Philippines editors and writers have, in one way or another, been influenced by their fathers’ style choices. Below, they share a style lesson from their fathers that they still carry with them.

Trickie Lopa, editor-in-chief

In the book The White Album, American writer and journalist Joan Didion shared her packing list: two skirts, two jerseys or leotards, one pullover sweater, two pairs of shoes, stockings, nightgown, a robe, slippers, cigarettes, bourbon, and a bag full of toiletries. While the list is meant for travel, it has also inspired others to embrace minimalism in clothing and the idea of having a “uniform” or a set formula for daily dressing.

For example, Sarah Burton, whose runway uniform consists of sneakers, jeans, and a loose button-up. There’s also Vera Wang, who sticks to a muted color palette in plain muscle tanks, t-shirts, and black leggings, and Phoebe Philo’s plain long-sleeve knit, slouchy, tailored pants, and a pair of white sneakers.

While Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Trickie Lopa’s father wasn’t working in fashion, she fondly recalls her father’s “uniforms” while she was growing up. A barong for work, and for leisure, Ralph Lauren sports shirts and chinos. Simple, classic, a time-saver, and reduces decision fatigue before the day even starts.

Joyce Oreña, Beauty and Wellness editor

“My appreciation for utilitarian dressing is greatly influenced by my father’s military background. He was a simple, practical man, and I have adopted his discipline of making quality basics the core of my wardrobe pieces.

I have loved dressing up since I was a child. Growing up with limited means, I learned to be creative with clothing by repurposing my father’s old uniforms into Bermuda shorts or collecting his buttons and sleeves to customize jackets. We would then visit Kamuning market to have these unique pieces brought to life by a tailor.

To this day, I still keep the jacket I repurposed as a way to honor his memory.”

Chelsea Sarabia, digital associate editor

“When I was growing up, I only knew the suit as amerikana because that’s all my dad ever called it. Some of the fondest memories I have as a kid are watching him get ready for formal occasions in different versions of freshly pressed suit jackets (he has one in classic black, navy, and gray, plus the occasional wool or birdseye, and always tailor-fit), and seeing the way he lit up as soon as he’d throw one on.

Now in my twenties, I’ve since inherited this love of a good, foundational blazer, even though they run oversized on me because I only ever raid his collection.”