I found this photo of Tobey Maguire wearing Acne John sweatpants on the Upscale Hype blog. I had the black ones long before Tobey - and they look better on me. The question is: what colour next?
Mr Dapper : What colour? Most definitely, none. No colour. No sweatpants unless exercising or lounging alone at home, regardless of whether they be basic or in a trendy cut. Let's leave the elasticated waists to Florida retirees, shall we? I was particularly amused by a comment on the webpage you mentioned, which I'm delighted to share with our readers: 'Don't know what's worse, the fact that you recognised these pants or their price.' May I also remind you about that boy from that ghastly United States reality television show who was asked by Abercrombie & Fitch to stop wearing their track pants last year? It made international news.
I really want one of those puffa jackets but in a softer, non-tech fabric. Where do they make them?
Mr Dandy: I'm guessing they're mostly made in China, aren't they? Seriously, the stores and the rest of us have moved onto the spring-summer collections. When I got this question, I rushed out to find the dregs of autumn-winter still on the racks (and sometimes nicely discounted), but I can't guarantee you'll find the same by the time you read this. I'll be brief so you can get shopping. I'm loving my grey J Lindeberg 'Rumble Patch' tweed down jacket (HK$5,490; Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 1368). Altea has it in a zip-up hoodie style and soft grey houndstooth fleece wool (HK$6,895; Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 9083). The brilliant Ground Wave definitely pushes the envelope, so its tencel-fibre quilted jacket with a wide open collar won't be for everyone, but I think it's amazing (HK$7,490; Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, tel: 3695 3388). Another alternative to the casual sporty 'puffa' style is Brioni's padded sportscoat (HK$22,995; The Landmark, tel: 2118 3717).
Mr Dapper: If you're going to part with sums of that size, then I'd recommend one of the Italian cashmere experts. Brunello Cucinelli has perhaps the best selection in a variety of shapes and his signature neutral colours (HK$34,995 to HK$44,995; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2311 3068). Though not as wide, an array is available at Loro Piana and you won't be disappointed by the extraordinary quality and cuts it also offers in baby cashmere (HK$26,500 to HK$31,300; IFC Mall, tel: 2234 7398).