Dandy & Dapper

Mr Dandy: Dude, you’re like those Darth Vader sun visor ladies. What about sunscreen? Any supermarket such as Wellcome can get you covered in SPF 50 (Banana Boat, HK$114.90; www.wellcome.com.hk). Straw hats have been trendy for years, so they’re everywhere. Zara’s got a great one with a ribbon and a feather on the band (HK$179; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2234 7305). I’ve also seen great straw hats at the Pottinger Street costume store Partyland (HK$70 and up; Basement, 51Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2147 9283). But a hat’s not enough, which brings me back to … sunscreen! 

Mr Dapper: As any moderately cultured person could tell you, Dandy, a Panama hat is not just any headwear made of straw. Educate yourself with Tom Miller’s The Panama Hat Trail (HK$108; www.amazon.com). Genuine Panama hats actually come from Ecuador, where they are handmade from the toquilla palm. The Armoury has sold out of its stock from British hatmaker Lock & Co (HK$1,800 to HK$2,000; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2810 4990), but it does expect new stock by October or November. Hatwoman (Man Yee Arcade, 68 Des Voeux Road Central, tel: 2167 8337) also carries quality men’s headwear, including Panama hats by Anthony Peto from France (HK$1,980), My Bob from Belgium (HK$1,730 to HK$2,200) and Sombreros Signes from Spain (HK$930 to HK$11,000).