Dandy & Dapper

I love rockabilly and am always picking pieces here and there that might work. I heard there's a brand in Hong Kong that does rockabilly clothing, but no one can tell me the name of it.

Mr Dapper: Rockabilly? Again? Please. The mix of rock 'n' roll and hillbilly country (rock-a-billy, get it?) was exciting and novel in the 1950s, but it's had its day. I remember those guys who tried to bring it back in the 80s. Let's face it. No one ever aspired to look like the Stray Cats (at least, I hope not). I'm certainly not advocating baggy, low-slung trousers, but just stick with contemporary clothing for rebellious youth. Leave the rockabilly to Buddy Holly et al.

Mr Dandy: Cool it, Daddy-O! Dapper, what might 'contemporary clothing for rebellious youth' mean? There have been traces of the rockabilly influence in fashion trends for years. Think about the slimmer cuts for suiting and the country-and-western-style check shirts everyone and his brother has been wearing. Now, down to business. MNA is the brand for you. Designed by Alejandro Delfino, the name stands for Mute Nostril Agony, but that's the only unappealing thing about the label. The wide range of T-shirts features prints such as an MNA Hotrod graphic and icons such as Eddie Cochran (HK$680 and up). Long- and short-sleeve shirts (HK$980 and up) look like they've been plucked straight out of the past. The trousers come in a variety of fabrics, denim washes and cuts, but they are mostly cropped and slimmer (HK$1,480 to HK$1,880). The casual sports jackets to highly stylised suit jackets are awesome (HK$2,480 to HK$4,680); and the matching waistcoats (HK$1,380 to HK$2,480) can be worn as part of a three-piece suit or separately. Wait, were you just looking for an address? Here it is: D-Mop (8 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2203 4130).

I'd like to get one of those jackets with a fur collar. I only know them as mutton jackets but no one knows what I'm talking about. Can you translate?

Mr Dapper: You already have. Just say you want a jacket with a fur collar. More important than your terminology are your eyes. Trust that only you can find what you're looking for. Technically, a 'mutton jacket' is made with a specific type of fur, but we'll let that one go as long as it's not confused with wide Victorian leg-o-mutton sleeves. Your desired jacket has an enduring style, so I wouldn't mind spending good money on it. Although more trendy than my usual taste, I saw a good one at agnes b in tan suede with cream shearling (HK$19,900; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2805 0678). As you might expect, Burberry offers a number of styles, too (HK$16,000; IFC Mall, tel: 2234 7168). Need I also point out that, despite a slight temperature drop, it's not nearly cold enough for this sort of thing yet?

Mr Dandy: Mutton - what? There are some fabulous jackets with fur collars around at the moment. Dolce & Gabbana has gone crazy for the look, with everything from sporty techno jackets with fur collars to a reworking of the classic workman's jacket with pocket patches in contrasting colours (HK$8,600 to HK$10,800; Alexandra House, Central, tel: 2877 5558). Trendy diffusion lines are doing them, too, but in cool, modern colours such as navy with black at Armani Exchange for only HK$3,290 (Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2537 3118). Really, do wait for the right weather, dear reader. I've been caught out in inappropriately warm clothing that has resulted in me appearing both silly and sweaty. Not a good look.