Living in this climate, my leather watch strap has started to smell, but I don't want to ruin it by cleaning it the wrong way. What is the right way?
Mr Dandy: Well, you can't very well will yourself to stop perspiring in a humid climate. But you can avoid putting your watch in particularly steamy situations by taking it off before you go to bed, take a shower or exercise. If you're one of those obsessive types and feel lost with- out a watch, then consider buying a sports watch with, naturally, a non-leather band by specialists such as Polar, Nike or adidas (visit Marathon Sports, Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 3139,
www.imarathon.com; and Escapade, 1/F, Yee Hing Building, 19 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2891 1855,
www.escapade.com.hk). Or try taking your smelly straps to be cleaned at Fresh Reform (HK$150 and up; 2/F, Tai Yau Plaza, 181 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2553 3343;
www.freshreform.com.hk).
Mr Dandy: Who can be bothered to switch watches throughout the day? Who even knows exactly how sweaty their day will be when they get up in the morning? Don't be ridiculous. Of course you can clean and de-stink your leather watch band. Unless it's a delicate dress watch with some absurdly expensive exotic skin on it, all you need to start is a bit of good old baking powder by Arm & Hammer (HK$10.90 at Wellcome; for locations, go to
www.wellcome.com.hk). Mix about one tablespoon with an equal amount of water, rub the paste onto the watch strap, let it sit overnight, rub off any excess and wipe with a damp cloth. It's also a good idea to condition and restore the straps with saddle soap or leather cleaner. Bits & Boots Saddlery (17/F, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2735 0123) sells a variety of Hydrophane brand leather-care products including saddle soap, but by 'company policy' prefers to share prices only in person. Many general purveyors of leather goods sell product care such as the leather cleaner at Coach (HK$110; Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2113 0023). If that doesn't work, then it's a good excuse to go shopping.
Those new varsity jackets seem pretty cool. Where can I get one?
Mr Dandy: Once again, this trend isn't exactly new. In fact, it's been around for a few seasons. We hate to be sticklers (well, we actually love the details), but it doesn't matter since there are some great designer versions out at the moment. Balmain's (above left) would be the obvious choice in more ways than one (HK$39,995; The Swank, The Landmark, Central, tel: 2810 0769). First, it's been featured in a lot of magazines. Second, made in black leather with metallic silver sleeves, it makes a strong fashion statement. But why bother with an old design unless you're going to make it look new anyway? Take a look at Roberto Cavalli's varsity-like bombers in psychedelic silk print (HK$15,995; The Swank). And if you do go plain, juxtapose the sporty cut with luxurious fabrics such as silk, as seen at Kiton in various colours (HK$17,480; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2234 7882).
Mr Dapper: We couldn't disagree more. Whenever there's a risk of looking like you're in costume, go clean and simple. You shouldn't be recreating an old high-school get-up. Instead, update a classic, as Balenciaga has done in minimal black and white sans varsity letter (HK$8,800; The Landmark, tel: 3428 8086). While out, you should also consider the solid blue or black jackets by J Lindeberg (HK$2,890; The Landmark, tel: 2801 6428); as well as the retro red jackets in Tommy Hilfiger's latest collection (HK$2,190; The Landmark, tel: 2525 8848).