How can you make a simple outfit look sophisticated?  Gretchen Barretto would say, "Accessorize!"

The local fashion icon still looked very "fasyon" even if she was only wearing her usual outfit for a Magkaribal taping. This is what the press saw on a set visit to the fashionserye last Monday, August 9, in Makati City.

Gretchen accentuated her black leggings and plain dark gray T-shirt with pricey stylish accessories from Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)—a ring in tiger eye, carnelian and old-gold metal, and a chunky necklace in goldtone metal with mother of pearl, shell, and old silver-tone metal coins.

She also put on a pair of red Miu Miu pumps to add further contrast to her monochromatic clothes.

"Flexible ang outfit na ito—puwedeng naka-tsinelas lang, kumportable sa set kapag walang press.  Siyempre, kapag may press, nandiyan na ang red shoes, lumalabas na ang accessories.  Pero kapag wala kayo, wala na 'yan, flipflop na 'yan," she said, as she pointed to her red shoes.

Although Gretchen always appears on television as very stylish, especially now that she's part of the cast of a fashionserye on ABS-CBN, the actress said she is very different from Victoria, the character she's portraying. 

"Tuwing taping po, ito na ang uniform ko, alam na ng yaya ko na ito na ang nilalagay niya sa dressing room.  Itong jogging pants na ito, this T-shirt—kung hindi itong kulay na 'to na gray, white siya.  Then, I come here ng naka-flipflops. Talagang opposite ni Victoria.  Ganun ako every three times a week na pumapasok sa taping, kasi ito ang pinakamadali. And today, I just accessorized it.  I only change after [makeup], kung ano 'yong kailangang isuot for the scene," she related.

Speaking of costumes for Magkaribal, Gretchen says she looks forward to taping her next scenes for the TV series to be able to wear the dresses she bought during a one-week vacation in Paris.

The beautiful actress—variously called "stylish," "fashionable," and "classy" by admirers—said she didn't have time to buy "pasalubong" for co-actors, but she made sure she was able to buy stuff for Victoria. 

"Wala akong pasalubong kasi I only had a few days there.  So, binilhan ko si Victoria para sa role niya.  [Nag-shopping] ng mga damit for the next days to come.  Makikita niyo ang bagong collection ko from Paris," she said, laughing.

When the press asked her if reports were true that she really buys clothes just for the series, Gretchen transformed into Victoria and answered, "Of course! I am knocked off.  [Laughs] Nagalit si Victoria, 'We don't hire social climbing whores.'"

Then she said about the clothes of Victoria, "Hindi, original...sa akin naman 'yon."

Is she particular about clothes' brands when she shops?

"I don't have any favorite brand," answered Gretchen.  "I think I've said this before, na I'm not married to any brand.  I don't have to be loyal to any brands so I can enjoy the freedom of loving and enjoying every brand that pops up, or any old brand.  No favorites, whatever I enjoy for the moment."