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Who Broke the Downplayed Dress Code During #SONA2016?

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Just like the previous SONAs, the ladies showed up in their best fashion looks for President Rodrigo Duterte’s first address. However, this year, a downplayed dress code was implemented.

“It will be business attire but you have the option of wearing Filipiniana as long as, for the ladies, it will not be more than knee length,” finance spokesperson Paola Alvarez said days before the event.

That said, we scoured through social media to find who followed the dress code and who broke it (by a few inches, that is). See who we spotted below.

#1 Vice-President Leni Robredo and family

Keeping with their simple motifs, Vice-President Leni Robredo and her daughters donned Filipiniana-inspired outfits paired with lace and soft pastels.          

 

#2 Tootsy Angara

Sticking to the traditional Filipiniana style, Tootsy showed up in a green Rajo Laurel creation, decorated with some simple embroidery highlighting Filipino artisans from Lumban, Laguna, and Marawi.

#3 Heart Evangelista

A photo posted by G3 San Diego (@g3cafe) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:48am PDT

Heart didn’t waste any time changing into two outfits for the SONA. She was first spotted wearing a white Filipiniana-inspired dress by Ivar Aseron and paired with a clutch she designed. Later in the day, she changed into a chic pants and blazer ensemble from Massimo Dutti with an Hermés clutch.

#4 Sen. Loren Legarda

Senator Loren opted for some slacks and paired it with an embroidered pink tunic by Len Cabili and chunky accessories.        

 

#5 Gabrielle Lopez

Gabrielle wore a long pastel blue skirt and sheer lace top combo designed by Kim Gan―a fun interpretation of business attire. She also accessorized with jewels from Ann Ong.

#6 Clara Aseniero

Photo courtesy of Clara Aseniero's Facebook
Photo courtesy of Clara Aseniero’s Facebook

Model Clara Aseniero sported a custom Stacy Rodriguez dress that we’d totally cop. A few inches longer though and she might’ve broken the dress code.

#7 Rhea Aquino

A photo posted by Rhea Aquino (@rheaaquino69) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:07am PDT

Wearing a modernized Filipiniana by Mary Ty, Rhea Aquino managed to combine simple and chic with the dress’ black details and her neutral accessories.      

 

#8 Jinkee Pacquiao

Jinkee’s lavender gown was made by Inno Sotto. Sadly, her gown isn’t exactly business attire-appropriate. But later in the day, she changed into a simpler Gucci dress which, at least, followed the code length-wise. Good save!  

 

#9 Hon. Yedda Marie Romualdez

  A photo posted by carysantiago (@carysantiago) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:36am PDT

Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez’s definition of business attire involved a large pink rose on on her shoulder. Her pencil skirt passed the dress code, but the rose may have been too much?

 

#10 Ria Fariñas

A photo posted by Chris Diaz (@chrysdiaz) on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:19am PDT

Designer Chris Diaz kept it simple with Ria’s blue dress by keeping the skirt tailored and putting soft terno sleeves. She also accessorized with a printed clutch and some jewels.  

 

#11 Audrey Tan-Zubiri

Audrey paired a sleeveless terno blouse with a patterned skirt reminiscent of indigenous tribes.

 

#12 Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman

Bataan congresswoman Geraldine Roman showed up in a green Paul Cabral terno gown. She may have broken the dress code, but the gown certainly looked flattering on her.  

 

#13 Sen. Grace Poe

Sen. Grace Poe kept it simple with a white embroidered dress. Plus, she gave up her signature ponytail this time.

 

#14 Gretchen Barretto

Also wearing Inno Sotto was Gretchen Barretto with a long-sleeved blouse and ankle-length skirt. Too bad that skirt went past the desired length.  

 

#15 Rep. Vilma Santos

Batangas Sixth District Representative Vilma Santos was spotted wearing a cream blouse and skirt ensemble upon entering the House of Representatives. By the looks of it, the material is similar to that of a barong.

#16 Sen. Nancy Binay

Despite being seen in a rule-breaking gown earlier in the day, Sen. Nancy Binay later changed into a black knee-length Randy Ortiz dress.  

 

#17 Batangas First District Rep. Eileen Ermita-Buhain

A photo posted by s o f i e (@sofie.b_rtw) on Jul 25, 2016 at 4:30pm PDT

Congresswoman Eileen Buhain was seen wearing a two-piece custom Sofia Borromeo creation—a pique bell-sleeved top and brocade column skirt that went past her ankles as bit. She also accessorized with a chunky necklace and gold clutch.

#18 Yasmine Espiritu-Vargas

Yasmine walked the red carpet with husband Alfred Vargas wearing a blue traditional terno-style dress by Stephanie Tan.  

 

#19 Sen. Pia Cayetano

Sen. Pia showed up in a blazer and knee-length ensemble. Definitely taking the business attire code very seriously.

#20 Stella Quimbo

A photo posted by Miro Quimbo (@miroquimbo) on Jul 25, 2016 at 9:02am PDT

Academician Stella Quimbo strutted in the House of Representatives in a pantsuit made from a repurposed terno.

 

#21 Yanee Alvarez

A photo posted by PATTY ANG (@pattyang_) on Jul 25, 2016 at 5:22am PDT

Yanee went for a simple Patty Ang LBD with a cape. A flattering silhouette for the mom-to-be.

#22 Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Photo courtesy of Risa Hontiveros' Facebook page
Photo courtesy of Risa Hontiveros’ Facebook page

Sen. Risa Hontiveros went for a regal purple wrap over her lace dress—both made by Joel Acebuche. She also completed the look with Marikina-made nude heels.

 

Art by Dorothy Guya

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