Still, still an animal

MANILA, Philippines - If you haven’t yet been briefed, it’s the year 2010. That means a new president, the end of a decade, and ASAP ’09 is now ASAP XV. But if you’re a little behind on the reinvention shtick, there’s nothing like a mid-year New Year (on Valentine’s Day, no less) to give you one more chance; that is, to improve yourself, play up your strengths, and let the true you shine by channeling your inner spirit animal. But as the Old English and fashion obsessed might say, “There shall be no other place to start than without.” To which I say, hell, yeah. It’s what’s outside that counts!

The Rat

Years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

Their drama: Clever, cunning, charming perfectionists.

Friendly trend: For the girls, the coy Lolita look (i.e. sheer fabrics, lace, pieces in nude and blush, plus flesh-baring cutouts and slits) oozes with just the right air of manipulation, while man-mice should opt for well-tailored pieces that fit like a glove. Do we smell a rat? Well, that’s the point.

The Ox

Years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985. 1997

Their drama: The best friend (or spouse) you could ever have.

Friendly trend: As homebodies and stubborn beings, those born in the year of the Ox are not big on change, let alone trends – preferring, instead, simple clothes with little embellishments. Good thing the minimalist movement is big now, as is the utilitarian look. Opt for pieces like crisp white shirts, trousers with clean lines care of their neat pleats, a lot of khaki, and a natural palette of sand and beige.

The Tiger

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Their drama: Born leaders who take pride in their appearance, and enjoy expensive, fashionable clothing.

Friendly trend: Take a cue from print master Jeremy Scott’s highly graphic collection, and try a stark tiger print, done in whimsical, almost Flinstonian strokes. A bit out there, perhaps, but tigers were never known to be followers, anyway. Tweet that.

The Rabbit

Years: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Their drama: Energizer bunny (Read: party animals and natural-born diplomats)

Friendly trend: Rabbits are strange creatures. Occupying a very precarious position of being obsessed with appearance and being highly affected by criticism, hares are perfect candidates for this year’s sportswear trend. It’s mainstream enough for the non-fashion flock to relate to, but can be taken luxe with high-priced, high-fashion offerings that Rabbits usually gravitate to — and thus, can usually only be identified as such by other rabbits with equally discerning eyes for the most minute of differences. Like, say, the difference between like and love? “Because I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack!”

The Dragon

Years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Their drama: Self-assured temper traps.

Friendly trend: Reptilian textures are big this year, with trompe l’oeil scaled leggings making an appearance at Alena Akhmadulina. It’s just the thing for the trendy, extroverted, flamboyant dragon. To them, there are no fashion rules.

The Snake

Years: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Their drama: Sexy bitches.

Friendly trend: It’s unfair, really. Of all the creatures, the snake is considered off-the-wall magnetic, with the male snakes considered as Don Juans and the female snakes as bewitching, sophisticated dressers who pay attention to the small details. Of course, snakes are also said to be secretive — always leaving something to the imagination, perhaps? Try a python print or snakeskin texture in your next ensemble, but done in a subtle palette of sand and light gold, with equally light and thin strokes. But what’s the point in saying anything, really? The serpent probably already knew that.

The Horse

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Their drama: Fools who fall in love.

Friendly trend: Lovers of, well, love, and its aesthetic expression of bright and colorful clothes, Horses should try the retro fashions predated by the resort collections. All hot-hued and vintage-patterned, tailored skirts and button-downs this season put the ‘70s on show.

The Sheep/Goat

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Their drama: The new romantics.

Friendly trend: Creative, artistic, lethargic, fans of long walks on the beach – that’s what sheep are made of. A stickler for craftsmanship and originality, the sensitive creature is surprisingly well suited to this year’s new version of grunge. Built on tattered, hackneyed, hole-ridden pieces that seem delightfully unwashed, the look simulates a penniless troubadour effect. Just don’t go around city streets asking for change for 500. It might just get confusing.

The Monkey

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Their drama: Center of attention.

Friendly trend: Monkeys are talented flirts, what with their natural gift of gab and mental ascendancy. The best way to dress then would be in sneakily sexy ensembles. For both the ladies and the gents, this means menswear. An oversized blazer on a female or a perfectly cut pair of slacks on a man can cover up and even conceal the body — the magic happens when they talk their way out of it.

The Rooster

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Their drama: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!

Friendly trend: Masters of that patented pick-up technique known as peacocking (i.e. dressing for attention), roosters like their clothes like they like their cars and company: flashy. Such confident types should go for sequins, and glitter, and lamé, and of course, feathers. Metallics are also a must.

The Dog

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Their drama: Man’s best friend.

Friendly trend: Intelligent, caring, and loyal types like those born in the year of the dog are just the kind of people we want in our army. While they’re at it, they can dress the part in military-inspired gear like nylon coveralls, cargo pants, fatigues, dog tags (but what else?) and a whole lot of army green. Just resist the urge to make them drop and give you 50. Or, I dunno, roll over.

The Pig

Years: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Their drama: Shiny happy people.

Friendly trend: Thought to be loving, caring, super-domesticated beings, Pigs belong on the farm. Think of farmhouse favorites like gingham, buffalo plaid, chambray, denim, puff-sleeves (big at Lagerfeld’s barnyard-inspired presentation for Chanel), peasant dresses, loose pant silhouettes, and newsboy caps, and you have a good approximation of this year’s pastoral trend. Let’s not forget overalls (yes, they’re back), which have also emerged as a key, down-home piece. Dude, where’s my ranch?