Should I toss out my stripy long-sleeved T-shirt dress? What does it mean when they say 'big' stripes are in now?
In the Band, Stanley
The Dictator rules: It depends on who 'they' are. Before taking style advice from anyone, stop and ask yourself: 'Do I really want to look like this person?' Keep in mind that the caricature of me is a joke. (And who told you to wear the classic tee as a dress?) Since everyone and their mother seems to have done the Breton stripes to death, a trend for wider, thicker and, essentially, bigger stripes is a welcome shift for spring-summer. The most spectacular examples of these are by Jil Sander in long, flowing, giant blue and white stripes (price upon request; Joyce, 16 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2810 1120), which were not in stores at the time of writing but are due in soon. We also like Diane von Furstenberg's criss-crossing wide-striped dresses in silk georgette (HK$3,200 to HK$3,700; Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 9238) and the striped cardigans and tops (HK$2,400 and up). Prada's gone in a different direction this season, with various striped cotton or sequinned dresses in a mix of colours (HK$10,100 to HK$19,000 and up; Alexandra House, Central, tel: 2522 2989), or inquire about the made-to-order striped mary-jane heels. Just don't wear the pattern head-to-toe, please. Easton Pearson has cleverly tweaked tees with a single neon yellow band among the blue and white stripes (HK$2,000; Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, tel: 2118 3668). As spring wears on, you're likely to see more of this style. Till then, you might also like the stripes at Theory, Escada, H+M and, of course, Sonia Rykiel.
I saw a picture of that Harry Potter actress in amazing platform shoes. The caption said she was in Burberry, so I raced to the store to buy them but they didn't know what I was talking about and said they weren't part of its brand. Is that true? I couldn't see them at burberry.com either. Where can I find these shoes?
Watson Her Feet, The Peak
The Dictator: Wow, you're almost as untrusting as I am. That's fine. You're allowed to second guess everyone but me. You're probably referring to pictures of Emma Watson when she was on David Letterman's television chat show in New York in November. No surprise then that stores seem to have sold out of the Paloma shoe by London brand Charlotte Olympia. We checked the official website of the British-Brazilian designer (
www.charlotteolympia.com), who graduated from London's Cordwainers College, as well as online retailers
www.netaporter.com and
www.luisaviaroma.com, without luck. We also went to On Pedder, which carries the brand exclusively in Hong Kong, but it, too, was sold out of the style you seek. The good news is that it has countless other delicious designs by Charlotte Olympia to choose from (about HK$8,800 and up; On Pedder, 1/F, 16 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2118 3489). Of course, it also stocks the work of another famous Cordwainers graduate by the name of Nicholas Kirkwood.
I hate my eyelashes and would love to try some of those growth serum things, but I'm scared. Which ones are safe?
Longing, Lantau
The Dictator: Woah. First, we're not a medical professional, so see a doctor if you want an informed opinion. Second, 'hate' is a strong word when it comes to the body you're stuck with. As much as we like to poke fun, we really don't think it's worth wasting time agonising over insignificant things like the length of your lashes. Life's too short, much like your lashes. (Sorry.) You've probably heard about Latisse (
www.latisse.com), Allergan's FDA-approved treatment that's been endorsed by celebrities and promises results within 16 weeks. Unfortunately, it's available only on prescription. Over the counter in Hong Kong, you can find the unequivocally named Enormous Lash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (HK$280 to HK$990; Beauty Bazaar, The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 3906 2388;
www.beautysociety.com). The directions tell you to apply it to your lash line twice a day for thicker and longer lashes in 45 to 60 days. You could also try code.ai Lash Extend Serum L-117, which includes something the brand calls Myriplex Technology and is made with 30 per cent lipopeptides (HK$990; Joyce Beauty, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2367 0860;
www.codeai.com).
