Salcedo Girl Style: The 'Fits, The Vibe and Those Flowers

(SPOT.ph) It's 7:30 a.m. An idyllic morning greets me in Makati. The sun is shining, traffic on the way here was mild to non-existent, and Monday is still two days away. For most people, this languid Saturday promises nothing but R&R with good friends. But even at this early hour—early for a weekend, at least—Salcedo Village’s Jaime Velasquez Park is already abuzz with activity. Neighborhood residents mill around, peering over locally-sourced produce and fresh pastries. On a normal weekend, I'd be joining their morning shopping activity. But today I'm not here to linger over breakfast or mingle with the crowds. I'm here on a mission: to find and get to know a fresh breed of marketgoers: the Salcedo Girls.

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Salcedo Girl: Who Is She?

Set against the backdrop of posh Salcedo Village—tree-lined paths, bustling stalls selling colorful food and flowers, old residential buildings—the Salcedo Market makes for a charming visual in the warm morning light. So, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that, in the age of social media, weekends at Salcedo are a whole aesthetic now.

While casual wear and athleisure remain a common sight, recent months have seen the picturesque park has also been home to a flock of young women decked out in their finest summer fits. It is easy to recognize these girls, thanks to their ultra-feminine looks: dreamy sundresses, breezy linens, summery tops, whimsical skirts, and giant bows atop their blow-dried coif. A good chunk of these stylish girlies cradle flower bouquets in their arms, sipping fruit smoothies or coffee as they roam the park. Salcedo Girls also tend to come in pairs or groups—who would capture their perfect OOTD moment otherwise?

The online opinion among Makati folks typically ranges from amused to bemused at the rise of these weekend aesthetes coming to take pictures with their neighborhood market as backdrop. A long-time Makati resident who has seen these young Salcedo girls posing on weekends says she doesn’t mind the trend. “I’m just happy that young girls these days can express themselves [through fashion]. If feel nila maging girls for the weekend, go. You do you.”

Is it a new kind of cosplaying? To be clear, Salcedo Girls do not take the moniker too seriously, either. When called one, many laugh, tickled at the thought. Market regulars take it all in stride, aware that their weekend ritual has become a phenomenon among the social media set. For others, playing the part of a Salcedo Girl is just a fun way to spend a Saturday, a brief respite from school or work to soak in the idyllic farmer’s market vibes and embrace their inner girly girl.

There’s effortlessly cool and confident cover girl-material Juliana chilling under the trees with her dog Kody. Is she a Salcedo Girl? Let's just say she's the ever-chic picture of the Salcedo Girl we all want to be. And then there’s Gwen, Pau, and KC, a trio of first-timers from Taguig who are ready to explore something new in their neighbor city.

The common factor? Embracing the carefree joy of dressing up and enjoying an early morning at the park. You can’t beat them—and why would you want to? Next time you’re up early on a Saturday morning, maybe you’ll consider being a Salcedo Girl, too.

Whether they're Salcedo Girls or not, these ladies are serving what's now been tagged as Salcedo Girl style: 

Juliana (and Kody)

What's your favorite weekend accessory? Definitely my earrings. I can't go out of the house without it. 
What's your favorite buy at the Salcedo Market? Jabroni's; I just had it kanina.

Anne, Bela, and Hermione

Who won the style battle today? Bela!
What is a Salcedo girl? A Salcedo girl is cutesy, chill, very demure.

Sheila Anne and Kristel Anne

Describe the difference between your school style and your weekend style. At school, very basic lang. Morning pa yung classes, so wala pa akong gana pumorma. (Kristel) For me, I lean towards dark aesthetic in school. For [Salcedo Market], we try to be very cutesy, very soft. (Sheila)

Divine and Aneesa

Who are your flowers for? I’m going to give it to my mom. (Aneesa) The flowers are for myself because I’ve always been in love with collecting and preserving flowers. (Divine)
What else are you buying in the market? Food. There are a lot of different types of food we want to try here.

Jade

Who’s your style icon? Kendall K.
What’s your Salcedo Market essential? Probably a fan, because it’s so mainit these days—I forgot to bring mine today!

Arlhey and Graciela

Sharie and Annie

Julia

What’s your favorite Salcedo Market buy? So far, I just bought some halal cuisine. But I also like the flowers. 
How does your weekend and weekday style differ? I’m more relaxed in the weekend, I get to go out and buy the stuff that I want.
No makeup or makeup? Makeup! 

Ashe, Ellyzza, and Stacy

Suyen and Megan

What are the qualities of a Salcedo Girl? Demure and elegant. Kahit naglalakad sa ganito kainit na panahon, very fresh pa rin kami. (Suyen)
How do you find the Salcedo Market? Slay dito, kahit mainit. Ang mura din ng flowers. (Megan) And the ambiance is really good for us Salcedo Girls. (Suyen)

Athena, Christine, and Julie

Gwen, Pau, and KC

Do you think you’re a Salcedo Girl? It’s our first time here. Nag try lang kami ng something new.
How do you relax on Saturdays? Every weekend we make sure that we socialize. Hang out like this. On weekdays kasi, talagang focused kami sa school.

Lila

Do you think you’re a Salcedo Girl? No! It’s my first time here in Salcedo Market, but I do enjoy going to Makati.
What comes to mind when you think of a Salcedo Girl? A Salcedo girly goes to brunch on Saturdays. Flowers, linen clothes.

Vilma (mom), Cali, and Zika (daughters)

What is a Salcedo Girl? Demure, spontaneous, and fun.

All photographs by Jason Tan