I've noticed the cool kids are sporting boat shoes again. I used to wear them in the 1980s (but I was never cool). I wear driving-shoe-type moccasins, but I'm wondering if I should get myself a pair of these?
Mr Dandy: Docksiders are so hot right now - of course, you should! Uber-cool brand Band of Outsiders has revived them in various colour combinations, such as shades of blue or navy with burgundy (HK$1,490; Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2118 7777). Or see Cole Haan's in green and navy (HK$1,500; IFC Mall, tel: 2234 7679). I love a pop of summer colour, too, and the bright green ones by Hermes are a thing of beauty (HK$3,400; Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2522 6229). If you like driving shoes, then check out the hybrid style by Car Shoe (HK$3,200; Lane Crawford). Visvim has been doing boat shoes with a twist for years and this season is no different, so try on a pair at I.T (HK$6,050; Pacific Place, tel: 2918 0667).
Mr Dapper: I'm a purist, so I'd go with the original Sperry brand. We wouldn't even be talking about boat shoes if it hadn't been for Paul Sperry. He invented them in 1935 after witnessing the superior grip of his cocker spaniel's paws. He imitated the pattern of its paws by cutting grooves into the soles of his shoes with a penknife (now known as 'siping'). Now Sperry's gone cool, too. Find the various permutations of the original Top-Siders, including brand collaborations, for HK$549 each at D-Mop (11 On Lan Street, Central, tel: 2840 0822) and Harvey Nichols (The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388). For those who prefer to keep it simple, there are many boat shoes out there in solid navy, brown, beige, grey or white, usually with white rubber soles, by brands such as A Testoni, Timberland and Ermenegildo Zegna. But, please, gentlemen, don't take the nautical theme any further, and definitely no captain's hats.
I've searched high and low for those short-sleeved T-shirts that are essentially plain but have a different coloured ring around the collar and the ends of the sleeves. No pictures, no words. Just simple. I can't find them. Can you?
Mr Dandy: Yes, I love those, too! Why is it that the simplest items tend to be the hardest to find? I mean, you can buy clothes with all sorts of crazy logos and embellishments, but great-coloured crew-neck T-shirts are close to impossible to source, let alone classic ringer tees. I think it's best to take this one online. OldNavy.com not only delivers to Hong Kong, its ringer tees happen to be the cheapest (they are now on sale for HK$42). Be careful what you ask for at AmericanApparel.net, though. Although it has the best and widest colour-combo choices for basic ringer T-shirts (HK$125), you might stumble upon the 'Oversized Ringer See Thru T-Shirt' (HK$202), which is entirely different.
Mr Dapper: My eyes! I'm not sure what is more bizarre about that; the item of clothing, or the model with the 70s porn star moustache. It's definitely a lethal combination. Back on point, do I have to spell it out for you? It's a T-s-h-i-r-t. Your time would be far better spent thinking about how not to look like you're headed for the beach (or how to save our planet). Since it evolved from undergarments, the T-shirt is historically meant to be hidden under your real clothing. If you must, throw on a plain, collared polo shirt and be done with it. Uniqlo sells plain polos in more colours than you can probably name for only HK$149 (2/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2577 5811) as well as, I have to admit, amazingly priced Dry Packaged crew neck or premium cotton T-shirts (HK$39 to HK$79).
