Dandy & Dapper

Published: 12:00am, 27 Jun 2010

I've always had a few striped fabric straps for my casual watch but when I look around Hong Kong, all I can find is leather or plastic. Brands I used in the United States don't seem to stock them here, either. A little help?

Mr Dandy: Now this is an old-school look that we're all for reviving. We're all for adding colour to the monotonous brown/black and silver/gold world of men's watches. Since I couldn't find them in Hong Kong either, I considered directing you towards the Sham Shui Po ribbon and handicrafts shops for a bit of DIY. Then I reconsidered and got realistic. I do know, though, that Brooks Brothers online has five combinations of striped watchbands to choose from (US$14.50 each; www.brooksbrothers.com).

Mr Dapper: Our cost-conscious nature also loves this idea. It allows you to re-invent the same watch with something as simple as a relatively cheap nylon strap. At CentralWatch.com, for example, you can order a set of five bands for only US$29.95.

Call me old-fashioned but I like the old Lacoste shirts better than the other big brands. Sorry, it seems like an obvious question but where can I find them in Hong Kong?

Mr Dapper: And what's wrong with old-fashioned when it works so well? This is a rare occasion when we don't mind if your shirt is tucked in or not but remember that few men have been able to sport the up-turned collar since the 1980s. Lacoste T-shirts sell for HK$650 to HK$860 at the brand's outlets in Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (tel: 2375 3622); Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui (tel: 2196 8768); 63 Nathan Road (tel: 2723 1789); Central Building, 1 Pedder Street, Central (tel: 2530 2810); and 3/F, Sogo (tel: 2831 3991).

Mr Dandy: We accept, even like, your rigid stance on men's clothing and the vintage branding you seek. However, we question how you function in the modern world if you're not even resourceful enough to do a simple online search: www.lacoste.com lists all the places where the brand is sold in Hong Kong under 'store locator'. Not that hard, is it? Now, let me guess: you'd like T-shirts in navy. Get back in touch when you're ready to take your wardrobe past 1982.

I've been looking for one of those Western shirts with a checked pattern but the only ones I can find have dorky short sleeves. Where can I find the long-sleeve kind?

Mr Dandy: Whoa there, partner, there's nothing wrong with a short-sleeved shirt if it's done right. In fact, they've made quite a comeback in recent years. If it's long sleeves you want, though, then head to 7 for All Mankind (IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2722 9666). Although famous for jeans, it also has Western-style shirts with long or short sleeves (HK$1,580 to HK$1,680). I guess denim plus checked is a match made in heaven, since other famous brands carry it, including Evisu (HK$1,290 to HK$1,390; IFC Mall, tel: 2234 7266), and in short sleeves only at Lucky Brand (HK$750; IFC Mall, tel: 3079 3080). We've also seen them at Guess (HK$550; Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2110 1070) and Marlboro Classics (HK$990 and up; Sogo, 555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2831 8548).

Mr Dapper: Well, that's obvious since tough denim was an essential material in the Wild West. However, only casual T-shirts warrant short sleeves. We'd go with less-trendy labels such as Lee Jeans (Gateway Arcade, tel: 2633 9995), whose Western shirts are authentic and only cost HK$499. If you shop online, browse sites such as www.sheplers.com, which ships internationally.

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