Ageing Diva, The Peak
Eccentric and impractical but also fabulous! Opera glasses usually mean theatre binoculars, so be careful what you ask for. You're not entirely incorrect. The term is also associated with lorgnettes, which are eyeglasses with a handle, the name being derived from lorgner, which is, roughly, French for "to take a sideways glance". They were fashionable during the 19th century, when decorum demanded that public ogling be done discreetly. After much searching, I found some gorgeous pieces for you. The staff at Alain Mikli (50 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2523 0103) laughed when I inquired, but they showed me some vibrant frames (HK$3,670) that would surely bring a smile to your face every time you wore them. The good old Victoria Optical Company (Basement, The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2366 3979) carries the Filao Paris brand, which does everything from stylish two-tone acetate designs that fold in half to attention-grabbing models adorned with beads, feathers and chain attachments (about HK$2,000). While you're there, don't miss the fancy, folding ones by Japanese lens expert Nikon, which come in pink or lavender, gem-like, faceted lenses with gold-toned frames (HK$3,800). Now, go forth and be fabulous, but leave the feather boa at home.
Pleather's All Mine, Pok Fu Lam
So, at no point did you stop and think, "Hmm, maybe this is what happens when I buy cheap clothes", right? Let's put aside the fact that last year's black-leather leggings have been replaced by this season's trend for wide-legged white trousers. If you're going to restock, then for the love of God, buy quality, please. Otherwise, you'll just find yourself having to replace them regularly. A friend recommended the real leather Marcia leggings (HK$3,400) with elastic waist and tapered legs by Australian brand Sambag (6 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2968 1285). OK, fine, I know they're about 100 times more expensive than at the trendy shop you mentioned; so, you could just go to other fast-fashion stores. H&M has some cute ones in jersey with imitation leather panels running up the sides of each leg for only HK$299 (Cityplaza, Tai Koo Shing, tel: 3101 4463), while Zara's faux-leather leggings are on sale from HK$299 to HK$599 (Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 0070).
