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SCMP Reporter

White-out

Help! I've just bought a great, all-white outfit but I'm stuck for shoes to wear with it. I'm hesitant about white shoes and wouldn't know where to get them. And isn't there a rule about when to wear white anything?

White Worries, Sai Kung

The Dictator rules: Details, people, details! What kind of 'outfit' are we talking about? Length? Style? Shade of white? These are important, and here are a few general rules. But before you start, throw all those staid, don't-wear-white-before-Memorial-Day type rules out of the window. Black shoes will look okay, but who wants humdrum? To finish off the look of the moment I'd suggest solid white, camel or a pair with a pattern that includes white. Going barefoot also complements the ethereal look, but that wouldn't work on Queen's Road during lunch hour. Visit Polo Ralph Lauren (G5, M18 and M19, Prince's Building, Central; tel: 2523-9966) for a decent selection of solid white or camel heels (from $2,950). Try the camel, woven-straw wedges ($4,390): a great modern take on the classic 'corky'. If you're sure you can carry it off, go to the other end of the spectrum with pointy, '80s-style white leather flats ($199) from Perfect Born (Shop KP-19, Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui; tel: 2723-1513; or Shop A, 5B Bayside House, Stanley Main Street, Stanley; tel: 2813-8327). Not since hordes of unimaginative WASPS bought her boring black bags has Kate Spade (available at Lane Crawford) had such wide appeal. Now in Hong Kong, her latest line includes striped open and closed shoes in red, black, beige and white, including some snappy, striped flats that will make you want to click your heels together ($1,700 to $2,100). If all else fails, or you're strapped for cash, hit Nine West (various locations, including shop 237, Pacific Place, Admiralty; tel: 2921-2009). It sells numerous summer-shoe styles from $425 to $725.

Singing the blues

I have invested fully in the latest turquoise jewellery. I wear the stuff to lunch, at the pool ... everywhere. I need to clean it, but have heard turquoise needs the professional

touch. Can you suggest a home-cleaning alternative?

Blue Belle, Kowloon Tong

The Dictator: Although The Dictator will never be able to teach you class - jewellery by the pool is terribly arriviste, sweetie - here's a crash course in turquoise care. Since the 19th century gems have been assessed on the Mohs Scale. You know that lump of zirconium oxide you thought was a diamond? The real McCoy wouldn't have smashed to pieces when you threw it across the room. Diamonds, the hardest naturally occurring objects on Earth, consist almost entirely of carbon and sit at the top of the scale at 10. Turquoise is at the other end of the scale, with pearls, coral and lapis lazuli. One of the softest gemstones, turquoise is sensitive and easily scratched. All that sun may have made you St Tropez-bronzed, but it has probably dried out your jewellery too. The best way to clean it is with a soft, 100 per cent cotton cloth and mineral oil. Dip the cloth into the oil and gently buff the stone until all the residue has disappeared and the stone has regained its lustre. Turquoise is porous, so keep it away from hot water and ultrasonic or chemical jewellery cleaners. As you build your jewellery empire invest in good storage, so the harder stones don't scratch other pieces. You may also want to avoid chlorine-filled swimming pools to preserve your accoutrements ... and that tan.

Brassed off

I like the glowing, bronzed look, but just go red in the sun or orange with most fake 'n' bake products. What make-up looks natural on pale skin?

Bronzer Shade of Pale, Kennedy Town

The Dictator: Well Casper, you're in luck. Not only can you play outdoors under the protection of waterproof sun creams, you can also convincingly fake the '70s natural look you missed first time round. One of the best body/face products is the ever-popular Nars Body Glow ($530); it smells like Hawaii, looks good on everyone and adds a little shimmer to make flab look toned. What a pity every Joyce Beauty outlet is sold out. But while you're waiting for new stock, try Nars' equally good The Multiple sticks ($320), which can be used on lips, cheeks, eyes, almost everywhere. They are available at Lancome (G/F, Sogo Department Store, Causeway Bay, tel: 2831-8482; for other shops, e-mail lancome@hk.loreal.com). Also up your street are the Star Bronzer gold-flecked body cream line ($280) and SPF 10 face cream in two shades ($190). Bobbi Brown, meanwhile (Shop LG1, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Yau Yat Tsuen, Kowloon Tong; tel: 2265-8928, and other locations including Lane Crawford, Joyce and Sogo), will burnish you with her Shimmer Tint cream and face powder ($210 each). Or see www.BeneFitCosmetics.com for BeneFit's coppery Flamingo Fancy (US$20 - HK$156 - shipping excluded). If a face powder will tide you over, check out Laura Mercier's two-tone compact (about $250 at Lane Crawford and Joyce), but remember not to do the ultra-obvious dark face, light body thing: dust your shoulders and decollete with the same powder. And be sure to pick the right shade for your skin or risk looking like Engelbert Humperdinck.



On style, she rules