I just can't figure it out in this town. What are the rules on socks and pants? Should I be matching my socks to my trousers or not? Mr Dapper: First, let's address your language, sir. In this multicultural society, 'pants' could mean something entirely different (and, no, we don't think your socks need to match those). If you're a traditionalist, you'll vehemently defend matching socks and trousers, or at least stick to the same colour family. You'll probably wear your belt and shoes in the same colour, too. That's why you'll only find cotton or wool mix socks in browns (and beiges), greys or blues at stores such as Church's (HK$215 to HK$330; Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 1091); Dunhill (HK$160 to HK$180; Pacific Place, tel: 2537 1009); and Brooks Brothers (HK$170; Prince's Building, Central, tel: 2523 3366). Mr Dandy: I like to make a statement with socks in a contrasting colour or pattern. Given what Ted Baker has in store, we suspect he'd say it's all about stripes (cotton mix, HK$150; Pacific Place, tel: 2918 9609). Paul Smith makes socks in his signature stripes as well as other patterns (HK$250 to HK$290; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2522 9788). At The Swank, you'll find bright striped or argyle socks by Italian label Bresciani (HK$245; Pacific Place, tel: 2736 8567). The Tie Rack carries plain socks in colours such as red, pink or teal for just HK$49 (Queensway Plaza, Admiralty, tel: 2866 1501). For the best look, follow the traditional rules and add one twist. So, if you're going wild on the socks, keep everything else simple, including the tie. Alessandro Dell'Acqua did awesome sequinned brogues last year but I couldn't find anything like that in the shops last weekend. Help? Mr Dandy: You went shopping for an item that has no chance of still being in stores except, maybe, at an outlet? Where did you look, anyway? There was a pair prominently displayed at that shop called Louis Vuitton (The Landmark, Central, tel: 8100 1182). Maybe that's a little obscure for you? The Richelieu lace-ups from the spring-summer 2010 collection sell for HK$9,500 a pair and come in two-tone black and silver sequins. Mr Dapper: Out of curiosity, how and when do you plan to wear these without being ridiculed? It had better include dancing. We spotted some fabulous sequinned men's dance shoes, available in various solid colours, for only HK$350 (Yung Kee Shoes, 32 Pottinger Street, Central, tel: 2525 8753). Or did you mean Chuck Taylor All Star trainers? They make them in sequins, too.
