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My mother gave me a jumper by St James, a French label from Normandy that we discovered while on holiday there. I have managed to lose it, unfortunately, and wish to replace it as soon as possible. Is there a source in Hong Kong? 
Mr Dandy: Whoa, dude, sorry, but it sounds like "Mother" is in the next room on a rocking chair, if you know what I mean. I've got good news, though - hipster hangout Kapok has a good array of St James merchandise, so you should be golden. You didn't say what kind of jumper it was. At some Kapok stores, including the one online www.ka-pok.com. I've seen the great Binic jumper (HK$1,780), made from pure wool in ecru and marine blue stripe (or vice versa), with old-time sailor's buttons on the left shoulder. There's also a fab Grandcamp cardigan in ecru, blue and red stripes, also in pure wool (HK$2,950). If you like those, try a classic striped Breton tee (HK$549 to HK$750).
Mr Dapper: I, too, associate my clothes with particular places and people. What a shame you cannot return to France to choose another fine jumper by this excellent brand. Founded on the coast in 1889, it specialises in luxurious versions of the humble seafarer's pullover and so forth, but in 100 per cent cotton and wool of the finest quality. While I am delighted to hear the youngsters are showing interest in St James, I hasten to tell you all that the charm of the brand lies not in its T-shirts, but in its absolutely superior knits, which include nautical jumpers with round, V, or zip-up necks (HK$1,823 to HK$2,631; www.boutique-saint-james.com.
 
Along with all the usual regrets that come with drinking too much over the holidays, I can now add an, ahem, unfortunate incident with my jeans zipper. I've been wearing 501s since I was a teenager but I'm worried they might be a bit dated. Do any trendy brands do button flys?
Mr Dandy: I've never got, ugh, caught out doing up my zip, but I'm man enough to admit I've had trouble undoing buttons at urgent moments. Anyway, dude, most of the awesome brands that have totally revamped the jeans genre in the past decade or so have been using the old button fly here and there. Rag & Bone, for example, does a whole bunch in skinny to straight leg with different washes and effects on the fabric, too (HK$1,690 to HK$2,190). The same is true of one of my faves, G-Star. If you like the super skinny look, however, then you might not like what the bulky buttons do to the line of your jeans. Unless you've ever considered adding a sock or cucumber to your look, that is.
Mr Dapper: When Levi Strauss created his first jeans in the late 1800s, he used buttons. The new-fangled zipper was not introduced until the late 1930s. I rarely sport jeans, but I do believe the 501 style is in fashion, and sold in an endless selection of colours and finishes (HK$799 to HK$999). Now, gentlemen, please use underwear to avoid such horrid accidents, would you?
 
Got a question for Dandy & Dapper? E-mail them at: dandyndapper@scmp.com
 


Some tips on flies, and a nod to the divine St James jumper