Dandy & Dapper
I recently saw a clip of Robert Palmer singing Johnny and Mary. He was wearing a very cool black leather jacket. Any idea where I can get one?
Mr Dandy: Yeah, how about 1979? We checked local vintage stores but came up with nothing. So, unless you want to trawl the internet, we think you (and your style) would do better with this season's collections. People remember Palmer, RIP, for his sharp designer suits but he also seems to have worn a fair bit of leather. Take a look at the summer-weight leather jacket by one of his favourite designers, Emporio Armani (HK$11,500; Chater House, Central, tel: 2532 7711). We also like Prada's modern cut (HK$22,800; Alexandra House, Central, tel: 2522 2989). The video we watched showed Palmer in a shawl-collared blazer, which we found in black by Dacute (HK$7,080; Seibu, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2971 3838) and in grey by Lot 79 (HK$9,900; Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388).
Mr Dapper: Don't compromise or settle for something similar when you know exactly what you want. Print out as many pictures as you can of the jacket you desire and take them to a tailor who knows how to work in leather. We recommend New Young Tailor (9/F, Lip Seng Mansion, 15 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2367 0101) but be sure to make an appointment first. For the best results, keep it simple and don't stray from the original design.
Up in the Air was so close to my life, it scared me. But I loved the way George Clooney packed his ties. Where can I find one of those things?
Mr Dapper: Hermes has a black-leather Ties Only case that accommodates six items (about HK$16,000; Pacific Place, tel: 2522 6229). It sold out quickly but new stock is expected in the next month or so. Meanwhile, you might appreciate the clever overnight case (HK$38,000), with compartments to keep one outfit - shirt, tie, etc - pristine while travelling. We have to ask, though: how did the world spend its money before frivolous add-ons? In the case of ties, we simply rolled them. (Rolling is a brilliant anti-wrinkling packing technique we confess to having discovered only recently.)
I want plain shorts. Why is that so hard? All I can find are baggy shorts with a million pockets or shorts so long they look like trousers for men with little legs. Normal colours - no patterns and no pleats, please.
Mr Dapper: We feel your pain, both as consumers and as observers. How men can think below-the-knee cargo shorts look good, we'll never know. To add insult to injury, they're usually wrinkled or intentionally faded. Happily, there seems to be a movement towards plain-front shorts of a decent length (just above the knee). Cerruti's tailored beige cotton shorts fit the bill (HK$1,795 to HK$2,195; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2295 3922). Ben Sherman's bermudas come in a variety of solid colours (HK$590 to HK$690; Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2376 2224). Seersucker, we're sure you'll agree, is a summer essential. Quite a few stores are carrying shorts made of the fabric at the moment, including Club Monaco (HK$790; IFC Mall, tel: 3586 3046).
Mr Dandy: Cargo shorts aren't exactly new; they're a casual, comfortable staple in any modern man's wardrobe. However, we're also fans of the buttoned-up nerd trend and you'll find plain shorts even at cool stores such as Double-park, which has them in navy or dark beige (about HK$360; 6 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2504 0032). Could we convince you to add a little colour? Uniqlo has a summer green pair for only HK$199 (Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2577 5811). For those who dare, Band of Outsiders has mid-thigh shorts (HK$2,200; Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, tel: 2118 3668).
