I have a couple of double-breasted blazers bought decades ago (I'm in my mid-70s). My son advises me not to wear them because he thinks double-breasted blazers are out of fashion. May I have your advice, please?
Mr Dapper: I would be delighted to offer advice on the matter of double-breasted blazers. I disagree with your son wholeheartedly. You are a distinguished gentleman and it would only be appropriate for you to dress in classic styles. Indeed, I wonder how your son would react if you met him for lunch in what is considered fashionable attire by the youth these days, such as low-slung jeans and a baseball cap. The only modification I would recommend, though, is that you have your tailor take in your old jackets to create a slimmer line. If the shoulders are too large, you may need to consider ordering a new double-breasted blazer.
Mr Dandy: I'd love to weigh in on this one! Your son's totally wrong and Dapper clearly has no idea what 'the youth' is wearing. As proof, show the kid all the fashion brands doing them right now (and for the past few seasons). Impress him with a trip to Hydrogen, which stocks double-breasted blazers in various summer-weight fabrics with its signature skull motif on the buttons (HK$6,280; Leighton Centre, 77 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 3157 0877), as well as cardi-crossovers in pique cotton (HK$2,380). Comme des Gar?ons (10 Ice House Street, Central, tel: 2869 5906) has all sorts, from an awesome, skinny stretch (HK$14,500) to a great cropped peacoat (HK$9,490). See those and others by Anrealage and Maison Martin Margiela at I.T (1 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, tel: 2890 7329). That's just the tip of the iceberg.
I am a fan of those timeless Superga trainers, but have not seen them in Hong Kong. Are there any similar alternatives I could buy for summer?
Mr Dapper: Although I am not usually a proponent of plimsolls for anything but sport, I must agree that Superga is wonderful for casual summer wear. Founded in Italy in 1911, the brand's vulcanised rubber-soled footwear (below) has been an Italian style staple for generations of men, women and children. This is just one of the inspirations I do encourage you to take from that very stylish population. Now, I have good news for you. Superga shoes recently became available in Hong Kong, at the new Shoespace within Lane Crawford's LAB shop in Queensway, Admiralty (tel: 2118 7688). It looks like a women's-only store, but much of the Superga offering is unisex (HK$599 to HK$999).