The DictatorAffordable mandarin-collar shirts – where to find them in Hong Kong

Where could a man buy a mandarin-collar shirt for less than at Shanghai Tang? We have to go to a party where the dress code requires it.
Hot Under the Collar, Central

The Dictator rules: Now that’s what I call a first-world problem. Here’s another: why are you wasting time when a tailor could whip one up for a song and in your exact measurements?

For starters, the jacket you’ll be wearing should affect your decision. Many of today’s mandarin collars, more often labelled collarless or stand-up collars, are rather short, and would be completely hidden by a classic mandarin collar jacket. We’ve seen men pair theirs with leather biker jackets or blazers, and some have even got away with it. Regardless, it’s always advisable to try on the shirt with the trousers and jacket you plan to wear to the event.

Do you even know what Shanghai Tang is charging? For the avoidance of ignorant assumptions, the luxury Chinese label sells a wide array of men’s mandarin-collar shirts for HK$1,680 to HK$2,980. By comparison, the traditional Chinese Arts & Crafts (55 Des Voeux Road Central) has patterned silk shirts with your desired collar for HK$1,750 (short sleeves) and HK$3,880 (long sleeves). You read that right. Suddenly, Shanghai Tang is looking reasonable, isn’t it?

If you want super-cheap, then you need look no further than the high-street brands. Topman makes them in oxford cotton for only HK$289, in light blue, beige or white.

H&M offers a few styles, too, for as little as HK$249 to HK$349. And, no surprise, Zara also has them (HK$199 to HK$399). Don’t be offended that Cos calls its version grandad collars; the Swedish label makes them with its usual restrained, modern, Scandi approach in cotton voile (HK$590 to HK$690). Next?