The Dictator: On style, she rules

I could swear I saw some brands doing those baggy gold disco pants, but for the life of me I cannot find them in any stores. Tell me I’m not wrong!
Solid Gold Dancer, Sai Ying Pun

The Dictator rules: Sorry. More often than not, gold lamé is just plain wrong. Designers are not necessarily to blame; it’s more about how style-less plebs with, let’s face it, non-model bodies put together an outfit. Anyway, we checked and continue to be baffled by how Hong Kong boutiques rarely stock stand-out items from the runways. That’s why we turn to the internet (and stores lose business). Online retailers such as luisaviaroma.com provide reliable edits of the hot items of the moment, such as Balmain’s high-waisted Sarouel trousers in a sort of jodhpur style in gold lurex and silk georgette (HK$20,370). It also carries Vionnet’s slimmer take on the look, made from the same fabric mix but for a fraction of the price, at HK$8,053. But you’d better get your roller skates on and the gold credit card out because only a limited number of sizes are left of either. If you still want kitsch but with a straighter leg, then slip into the gold lurex trousers by Markus Lupfer (HK$6,180; Joyce, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2523 5944). I always like to go vintage with a retro style. If you’re clever, you’ll spend less and avoid the embarrassment of turning up at an event in the same outfit as someone else. At etsy.com, we saw some excellent options for as little as HK$230.

Help! My teenage daughter wants to dye strands of her hair pink! Rather than forbid her outright, I’m trying to convince her how silly it will look but, of course, she won’t listen to me because I’m her mother. Is there some kind of miniature wig I could buy to prove it to her?
A Pinking Feeling, Discovery Bay

The Dictator: I vote you let her do it, even if it is a bit Avril Lavigne circa 2010. Besides, a teenager’s resentment probably lasts longer than it takes for hair dye to grow out. To answer your question: yes, they do exist and they’re usually called hair extension clips. You can find them in specialist stores such as Pro Hair (48 Jardine’s Crescent, Causeway Bay, tel: 2838 0773). The strands of faux hair are available in various lengths and colours, including pink (HK$15 each). You’ll also find a good selection at Jolly Wig Shop (32 Pottinger Street, Central, tel: 2525 1884) in the same price range. Or you could take your daughter to the hipster heaven that is Aland (Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2873 6773) for long, coloured extensions by Wi9 (HK$35) or the hair chalk in neon pink, yellow, green and blue (HK$225). Perhaps temporary colour is a better compromise. Try NPW’s Creative Comb-In Hair Colour in pink or green (HK$55; Seed, 41 Queen’s Road Central, tel: 2160 3171), which is brushed in and then washes out. It should go without saying that the darker the hair, the less colour you will see. Duh. And have you even checked her school’s policy on such matters?