.png)
Nearly five years since Alia Bastamam’s first collaboration with Sometime by Asian Designers, the local fashion designer who celebrated her eponymous label’s 10th anniversary last year has released her third collection with the bag and accessories company that comprises of bags, pochettes and strappy heels.
While prepping the outfits for this shoot, I came across my bags from Alia’s first two collabs with Sometime by Asian Designers which have been in my wardrobe for the past few years: the original 'Basta' bag in light pink and the 'Basta 2' mini in a popping yellow. Undoubtedly, the designs get better each time and go with different outfits from day to night.
Made of premium synthetic leather and microfibre, the 'Basta 3' bag comes with a detachable thick strap and in nine stunning shades that are easy to mix and match – from foolproof black and brown to pretty pastels like light pink and sky blue. This time, I opted for Sky Blue and I’m lovin’ the soft silhouette and variety of ways that I can rock it! Measuring 23cm (h) by 30cm (w) with a depth of 13cm and strap drop of 19.5cm, this bag is effortless, spacious and sophisticated. The best part? It comes with so many compartments that you’ll never run out of pockets to stash your belongings in! On top of that, the signature flap design is removable and can be worn on its own, so you get double the deal plus an option to personalise it – like I did.
To complement the bag, I opted for the 'Basta' Heels in Beige. Coming in premium synthetic leather and three classic shades of Beige, Black and White, the heels are comfy and come in a good height for day and night outings! Ahead are six ways that I’ve styled the 'Basta 3' bag and heels combo:
Look 1: Tote it
On days when I have a full day with multiple meetings and con-calls to attend to, this multipurpose bag is just what I need! To make everything accessible, I stash my makeup essentials in the inner compartment with a zip while my access card goes into one pocket and my hand sanitizer goes into another. There’s more than enough room to hold my iPad and purse, and I get to throw in a change of clothes for after-work activities too!
Look 2: Sling it
Ice-cream dates with my BFFs are something I look forward to from time to time cos these girl-talk sessions simply take my mind off things. On such days, I turn to this cute pochette and surprisingly, it fits my must-haves from a lipstick to my keys and some cash and cards. All I’ll need to do is sling it across my body and I’m all set!
Look 3: Belt it
When it comes to grocery shopping, my key word is comfort, hence the get-up. Because I like to fully utilise my shoulders and hands to carry my recyclable bags, tying the pochette around my waist is ideal as it makes it super easy for me to stash my cards and grab one when I’m paying for my purchases.
Look 4: Clutch it
For casual meet-ups with my business partners, I like to go for a comfy yet professional look. On such days, I prefer to clutch my 'Basta 3' bag instead of using the strap. Pairing it is a breeze as it matches my pastel and candy-coloured outfits. To complete my look, the 'Basta' heels are my go-to!
Look 5: Wrap it
To switch things up, I love to play with the way I style my bags and pouches, and when I’m in the mood to take OOTDs, this look simply works. Instead of slinging my pouch, I decided to bring out my experimental side by wrapping the pouch across my chest. I reckon the messy ponytail complements the overall look that I was going for too!
Look 6: Loop it
Free and easy Sundays call for a simple and comfy yet stylish look. On days like these, looping the pochette around my wrist works best! Filled with the bare necessities like a face mist, lip balm, cards and keys, the pochette narrows it down so I can move about with ease. To complete my look, all I need are my sunnies and voilà!
The 'Basta 3' bag retails at RM229 (additional RM29 for personalisation) while the 'Basta' heels are priced at RM179. Check out the Sometime by Asian Designers 'Basta 3' collection here.
Additional text: Vasenta Selvanayagam
Photography: Tan Guo Xiang
Styling & coordination: Yang Mei Ling
Makeup & hair: Kenny Yee/Makeup Miracle
Location: Licky Chan
.svg){kind=small}