Dandy & Dapper

Published: 12:00am, 25 Mar 2012

I just discovered Boardwalk Empire and am obsessed with that old-world style. Where can I get shoes like the ones in the opening sequence?

Mr Dapper: I believe a mini history lesson is in order. 'Old World' denotes Europe, Africa and Asia as the globe was seen in classical antiquity and into the Middle Ages. The 'New World' comprises the Americas. Thus, Boardwalk Empire, a television drama set in the United States' Atlantic City at the beginning of the prohibition era (1920 to 1933) couldn't possibly be categorised as 'old world'. Now that we have that squared away, I'm delighted to tell you that the two-tone wingtip Oxfords worn by Boardwalk Empire's main character, Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi), in the cleverly shot opening credits (notice how his shoes never get dirty despite his sketchy business dealings?) were made by Italian shoemaker Forzieri. You may buy your own pair, handcrafted in the same black and caramel combination, via the brand's website, www.forzieri.com, for US$630 (not including shipping).

Mr Dandy: You can be so pedantic, Dapper. He obviously meant 'old school'. I say phooey to that, though. Who wants to look like they're wearing a costume when there are so many great updates? I'm loving the new styles at old Church's, especially the combo-coloured Burwood (HK$5,460; Prince's Building, Central, tel: 2536 0462). Tassels has the great suede Barrie or Hampton by Alden in camel brown and navy blue or a beige/brown mix (HK$4,800 a pair; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2789 9911). But I'm going minimalist with a pair of black canvas and leather lace-ups from the Alberto Guardiani-Wallpaper collaboration (HK$4,385; The Swank, The Landmark, tel: 2810 0769).

With all the dismal weather this spring, I thought a good anorak would be useful, but I don't want to seem like I'm trying to look like a mountain man, and I'm loath to resurrect the dork look of the 1980s. Where do all the cool kids get theirs?

Mr Dapper: Tread carefully, sir. Any attempt to look like a 'hipster' could only highlight the fact that you are no longer in the 'young' demographic. My advice is to find a contemporary but classic version of the waterproof jacket, which was first introduced by the navy. At Nautica, I like the reversible navy blue and grey cotton jackets, which also come in pale yellow with grey (HK$1,680; Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 4330). The Marks & Spencer Autograph collection has simple water-repellent cotton jackets in black or beige (HK$895; Times Square, tel: 2923 7931). For a stylish alternative, I recommend a Mandarin collar jacket in technical fabrics from Shanghai Tang (HK$3,800 and up; Times Square, tel: 2506 3668).

Mr Dandy: Ignore him, readers. This is your season to rock the windbreaker. I bet even Dapper would fall in love with the modern Preppy look of jackets by Bedwin & the Heartbreakers from Japan (HK$6,399), Comme des Garcons (HK$11,500) and Acne (HK$4,399) at I.T (1 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, tel: 2890 7329). I'm also eyeing I.T's more unusual takes on the look such as the graduated colour ponchos by Astral Plains (HK$4,199 up), the photo print jacket by Valentino (HK$15,400) and the longer, see-through checked parka by Jean Paul Gaultier (HK$24,980). G-Star Raw has got some seriously cool, tough-guy jackets in army greens, dark blues and even that brighter blue that's so hot right now (HK$2,095 to HK$2,495; Leighton Centre, 77 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 3104 9099).

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