i have been an ardent supporter of Forever 21 ever since it opened its first branch in Wisma. now, just in case you're one of the sad, little creatures that i always describe as 'style-challenged', Forever 21 is like a more upscale version of This Fashion. the more serious cases of 'style-challenged' would prolly know that This Fashion sells plenty of cheap female (and now male) apparel (obviously they buy most of their tasteless clothes from there). they claim to be outsourced from Korea, Japan and Taiwan. but it's really dubious, looking more like the latest from the Malaysian Spring Collection 2007 (translated to actually mean the Singapore Spring Collection 2004). the irony? i bet them Malaysian fashion outlets in JB also claim that they pieces of fashion are from Korea, Japan and Taiwan too. but we all know what country supplies them cheap and plenty and good (clue: HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!)

still, as every guy (be it straight or homo) would know, stepping into a shop selling entirely female apparel ALONE, is just 'manhood suicide'. the guys passing by outside the shop will think you're a tranny. the girls passing you by outside the shop will think you're gay. the gay men making passes at you while passing the shop will just think you're some arts industry chap getting clothes for you next drag show. either way, nobody thinks a guy alone in a Mango shop looking at tube tops is anywhere near straight. don't even talk about being metrosexual. how are you gonna portray your sensitive side through cashmere sweaters and stilettos?

the same theory also applies when one man passes by the lingerie section in a department store. if you look for nary a moment too long, people will think you're a perv. if you don't look at all, the women will assume you're a prude. it's one of those 'damned if you do and damned if you don't' kinda situations. this is why whenever i pass by the Triumph section at Tangs, i tend to look BEYOND the bras and panties, focusing rather, my attention on the hot male sales staff of dubious orientation. if you look much closer, you can actually see me blushing. or is it the effect of my MAC make-up?

still, i really love Forever 21 because of the wide variety of styles that they stock. every single groupie in Singapore ranging from the classless ah lian to the classy SPG can prolly find something that she would like. everything there is colorful. everything there is cheap. they come in limited pieces to maintain that sense of uniqueness. compared to the average stuff you find at the men's department, it's so much more value for money to be a lady. alas i'm not a girl (and not yet a woman). i value my penis too much to give it up for women's fashion.

all i can do is just step into the nearest Forever 21 for now whenever i'm out with girls. or even girls with penises.

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