1. Striking cords Mark our words, Richard James is set to become the next Paul Smith. OK, James’ eponymous label has a long way to go, actually a really long way to go, but it is growing fast and gaining new fans with each season – plus he’s super-popular in Japan, just like Paul Smith. From his well-tailored winter collection we love the on-trend cotton corduroy navy bomber jacket (right; HK$6,887), because cords really are coming back and just to prove how invested we are in that idea we also recommend the red cord gilet (left; HK$6,071). Richard James is available at
www.mrporter.com.
2. Ay caramba! OK, we’re not too fond of the whole cool-because-it’s-ironic thing and, really, the next person who says their oh-so-hilarious sartorial must-wear for Christmas is a terrible patterned jumper is going to get a kick in the swingers. However, we’ve never been consistent on these things, so when we saw Converse’s latest Simpsons-themed trainers, well, the child inside of us smiled, for once. Yes, it’s OK if you get these, we won’t judge you. The hi-top is HK$599 and the lo-top HK$559. Converse is at 62 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, tel: 2388 8687.