Dandy & Dapper

Published: 10:57pm, 30 Nov 2013

I just had a “spring cleaning” of my closet ahead of winter. I have a whole bunch of clothes I don’t want, but it would be a shame to throw them away. That got me thinking about typhoon-ravaged Philippines. What’s the best and easiest way to donate clothes to people who could use them?

Mr Dandy: My helper usually has first dibs. She always finds a place or person for stuff I’m too spoiled to want and I like the idea of giving directly to people I know. You could do a Kim Kardashian and auction your stuff on eBay for the victims. But promise to donate more than the measly 10 per cent she did! Actually, a bunch of local fashionistas also did an auction recently, with proceeds going to the MSY Charitable Foundation (www.msyholdings.com/csr.php).
Mr Dapper: A noble cause to be taken more seriously, Dandy. The big idea is the victims don’t need Louboutins, they need funds to rebuild, etc. Donating used clothes seems to be discouraged by many. The embassies and consulates of the Philippines have said as much on their websites, as have many NGOs. So, if you want to send something, make it money, through one of the following: the Red Cross (www.redcross.org.ph); Oxfam (www.oxfam.org.hk); Unicef (www.unicef.org.hk). Even Crossroads (www.crossroads.org.hk), which sometimes accepts clothing donations, is asking for money or brand new summerweight clothes and bed linens. Also, the Hong Kong government has had the Community Used Clothes Recycling Bank Scheme (www.had.gov.hk) for several years now.

I’ve noticed some natty dressers wearing baseball jackets recently and was wondering if a normal guy should even bother trying to do it. If I do, do I have to wear a team I know, or is there a generic kind that won’t look dorky?

Mr Dapper: Branded sportswear seems to have become commonplace but team affiliations have lost their significance. What happened to team loyalty? I would encourage you, if you do support specific teams, to remain loyal. Nowadays, it is in fact easier than ever to support your team. Simply go to Major League Baseball’s online store (shop.mlb.com) and take your pick of jackets (HK$1,000 and up).

Mr Dandy: Player, you’ve come to the right place. Forget all the oldschool stuff. Uber-cool Japanese brands are rocking this look day and night. Izzue (Langham Place, Mong Kok, tel: 3514 9037) has gone all out with one-off collaborations with some amazing sports and fashion brands. Izzue x Champion Sports comes in green camouflage with black sleeves for HK$999; while the one it’s done with Neighbourhood is only HK$559. I’m guessing it’s all related to the 25th anniversary of parent company I.T (1 Hysan Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2890 7012), which has also done a silk printed jacket (HK$999) with a varsity-style “2” and “5” stitched onto the front in big silver digits. Soph has a baseball jacket cum blazer (HK$9,999; I.T) that mixes the classic baseball jacket leather sleeves with normal blazer buttons. For colder weather, there’s a great wool range, with insulated linings, by Human Potential (HK$3,699; I.T).

Got a question for Dandy & Dapper? E-mail them at: [email protected]

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Dandy & Dapper

Post