The metro
You want to look good because you want people to look at you. That's why fashion capitals are often densely populated places.
Hong Kong is highly populated, so it makes sense that it is high up on the fashion scale. In general it feels a bit like a small town to me though - and there are some people here who definitely dress like it.
You would have thought that Canto-pop stars - the people whose jobs are to be looked at and not necessarily sing - would know how to dress. That's a no. I've heard that some of them like to order a complete look from a catalogue because they don't have enough sense to do their own matching. And others just copy those Japanese street looks (badly) and end up looking like they've been sleeping on the street. It's a fine line between the two, guys.
But back to being looked at: the best way to make it happen is to add silver to your look. And I don't mean just a few necklaces and bracelets; I mean silver shoes, silver jackets and silver bag.
I have a silver bag (made of composite leather) from adidas and at HK$650 it's a steal (far right). Everyone loves it. Carry that and you'll be the focus of attention. It's an Olympic-inspired bag, and there gold and bronze versions in the series (called Victory), but silver looks best. I know it means second place, but on the looks scale it comes out on top by quite a margin. The bag is completed with five coloured rings hooked on the zippers, representing the five Olympic rings.
But as I always say, if you can't carry it with confidence, don't do it. And the size of the bag also means that you'd have to be of certain height to carry it, otherwise it would make like the bag was carrying you.
If you dare, get your hair dyed to platinum and use this bag. I did something similar a few years back. I had a gold bag from FCUK and I was blonde. I also had a great yellow elastic shirt from DKNY. That combination was a complete knockout, and I made more new friends that day than ever before.
To me, though, gold is done, at least for a while. I am onto silver. I used to work in Chai Wan. There are a few hip places there now, including a fashion shop Silly Things, where I bought two of my favourite pairs of underwear (which colour-coordinate with a few of my outfits). Back then there was nothing there but a former colleague saved the day with silver sneakers. He'd wear a black rocker tee, or denim, or just plain shirt and khakis, but whatever he did, he wore the silver sneakers and voila, the look was complete.
A few brands have silver sneakers this year, including Hugo Boss and Versace. I think all fashion men should have a pair. But I don't think that silver is only a colour for casual shoes. Ferragamo - and who else! - offers a pair of silver coated calf leather ones that would look sensational with their silver trench coat in ultra light nylon with platinum coating (left). I actually think this coat looks especially good on Asian men.
Of course, fashion 101: Modesty is key. Don't put all silver on at the same time.
Shopping List
Adidas Shop B, 6 Kingston St, Causeway Bay, tel: 2504 2186.
Silly Things Shop 11 (back exit), Block B, G/F, 18 Ka Yip St, Chai Wan, tel: 2898 2199.
Hugo Boss 8 Queen's Rd Central, Central, tel: 2868 3122.
Versace Shop 2503, Podium Level, IFC Mall Two, tel: 2234 7626
Ferragamo Shop G124 & G125, Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2110 3008
