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SCMP Reporter

Is there a Doctor in the house?

I am looking for a new pair of black leather shoes to wear at school. Doc Martins [sic] would be perfect. Any ideas?

Back to School Bertie, Aberdeen

The Dictator rules: You might have more success finding Doc Martens if you knew how to spell them. I know standards have dropped over the years, but have they really sunk this low? Not so long ago, DMs were forbidden in schools because they were favoured by hooligan types. But times have changed. In fact, the only Doctor Martens shop in Hong Kong is in the swanky shopping centre at the Sheraton Hotel (Shop B7, the Sheraton Hotel, 20 Leighton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2369-6881). You'll find a wide range of styles from $199 to $1,399. If you like the look but would rather something more original try De-javu (Flat K, 1/F, Po Foo Building, 1 Foo Ming Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2739-8858, www.De-javu.com.hk). It stocks a large selection of Underground England shoes and boots in old-school punk and biker styles, including some with steel-reinforced toecaps, from $750 to $1,750. Just don't go kicking anyone in the head, please.

Second-hand news

I've bought so many clothes for my children and myself in the last few years that we've run out of closet space. Can someone take our cast-offs off our hands?

Bursting Closets, Tsim Sha Tsui

The Dictator: Nice thought, but don't spoil it by being lazy. There are various organisa-tions that will accept old clothes to benefit the less fortunate, but none has a pick-up service. Some are more choosy than others. Oxfam, for example, requires that all items be in top condition, seasonally appropriate and preferably dry cleaned. It has branches in Central (LG8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, tel: 2522-1765) and Tsim Sha Tsui (LG28, Silvercord Centre, 30 Canton Road, tel: 2730-1666). Castaways at St. John's Cathedral (4 Garden Road, Central, tel: 2523-4157), where proceeds are distributed to charities supported by the Church of England, is less picky. The Salvation Army (also not too choosy) has collection centres in Wan Chai (G/F, 31 Wood Road, tel: 2572-2879) and Yau Ma Tei (G/F, 11 Wing Sing Lane, tel: 2332-4433) that are open seven days a week. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmy.org.hk. Oh, and you can pass on old couture directly to me. If it's Valentino, Chanel or Armani I might even provide a pick-up service.

Sari seems the hardest word

I'm planning to dazzle everyone by wearing a sari to an outdoor party in Greece. Where can I find a reasonably priced one?

A. Goddess in North Point

The Dictator: If you're not of south Asian descent, I'm not sure whether you 'll dazzle or just confuse the party. But if big blondes can trundle around in cheongsams, then you should be able to pull it off. You'll find a good range of saris priced from $100 to $1,000 at Mahtani's Saree House (Shop 17, 1/F, Chungking Arcade, 36 to 44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2366-0737) and Nepal Sari Palace (Shop 77 to 79, 1/F, Chungking Arcade, tel: 2723-3996) offer the best selection, prices and service. While there, seek advice from the experts on how to wear your sari. If you'd like something a little more contemporary, try Sanskrit (G/F, 48 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, tel: 2545- 2088). The shop's selection of Indian and Indo-Western designer wear, accessories and home wares has proved popular with women of all races. Saris designed for Sanskrit by Payal Singhal ($3,500 to $4,900) come in a variety of colours, and those by Suneet Varma ($7,500 to $8,800) are embellished with Swarovski crystals. You could also try a churidar ($2,500 to $5,800), another popular Indian outfit that comprises trousers, a top and a stole.

Got a question for The Dictator? E-mail her with your name, or alias, and address at: dictator@scmp.com.



On style, she rules