On a recent flight from the mainland, the guy in front of me was wearing the most hilarious jacket with a picture of a tiger on it. I thought to myself, “I need to ask this guy who his tailor is,” but then I lost my nerve. Where can I find something like that?
Mr Dapper: Perhaps you are referring to the military use of the tiger stripe for camouflage clothing? Military styles have been de rigueur in men’s fashion for some time now, so I will assume it is so. Specifically, the tiger stripe camouflage pattern is associated with jungle warfare, starting with the French in Vietnam. There are now countless variations in existence. For obvious reasons, a tiger stripe was also adopted by the Tamil Tigers, albeit a distinctly different pattern. You may like to further explore the topic via R.D. Johnson’s definitive book Tiger Patterns. To purchase such a jacket, most army surplus shops should be able to accommodate. For example, Army Navy Sales (
www.armynavysales.com) offers a number of M65 field jackets in a choice camouflages associated with various conflicts and environments for about HK$543 each, including, of course, a tiger stripe, as well as desert, woodland, tree bark and urban camouflage.
Mr Dandy: Seriously? My head was totally with Versace’s fantastical, gorgeous prints! At Versace Jeans right now, there’s a whole collection of tiger prints. Will you be buying the silky anorak style in blue and grey with curly cues and tigers (HK$4,800; Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui), I wonder? Or the denim jacket version (HK$4,600), which comes with matching jeans (HK$3,300)? It goes without saying that you should not try the double denim look here. For something wilder, check out the Siberian Tiger Bomber Jacket with a white or black background and a huge tiger head on the front, which can be custom made for you in two to four weeks (HK$930;
www.paom.com).
I don’t know if it’s old age or living in the tropics or what, but these days I wake up with deep lines on my face from the pillow. They are still visible more than an hour later when I arrive at the office, which makes me seem like I’ve just crawled out of bed. Not very professional. I’m not very good with face cream or any of that stuff, but I’m open if it will help. Do you have any advice on how to deal with it?
Mr Dapper: Your last three words are my advice precisely. Deal with it. Wake up earlier, because only time can smooth out that temporary wrinkle. As I learned at school many moons ago, a bracing splash of cold water does wonders to wake up the body and mind. I believe sleep marks have to do with decreasing elasticity as we age. The usual sensible advice regarding health, sleep, salt and water also apply. Other than that, just deal with it.
Mr Dandy: Au contraire, mon frere! There’s tons you can do. I think warm, not cold, water and massaging in face cream works much better to get the circulation, blood flow and skin cells all going, pushing those puffy fluids and sleep lines out. Next, get rid of that million- count cotton pillow case. Only a super smooth-fitting satin will stay in place and stop the bunching up that’s leaving those ridges in your face. And for this sort of unique, slightly crazy product, I just go straight to the internet to explore my options. Try the DreamSkin Beauty Pillow Case (HK$387;
www.pillowforwrinkles.com). Or treat yourself to the luxurious 100 per cent silk Meili & Grace Anti-Aging Pillowcase (HK$504;
www.antiagingpillowcase.com), which I have used since giving up my gorgeous Frette. For more advanced solutions, check out the JuveRest Sleep Wrinkle Pillow with Cover (HK$1,240;
www.juverest.com), designed by a plastic surgeon; and The Syla, a special sort of face mask for your forehead and the upper part of your face (HK$302;
www.thesyla.com.)
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This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Dandy & Dapper
