FUGASHIN SAIGON Ghillie Derby shoe

Ho Chi Minh City is mostly known to Malaysians as a place for women to hunt down cheap fabric, textile based products as well as some handicraft. There are also 24hour tailoring hack jobs that would give you a suit over there too. Like Thailand, but it could be even worse depending on your luck. But this isn't exactly true. There ARE proper tailors there and there are fabulous leatherwork to be found over there. One example is this pair of Fugashin Saigon shoes. I bought these when I was over in Ho Chi Minh recently. 

How should a formal Batik Shirt fit

The batik shirt is warm weather formal wear here in Malaysia as well as in Indonesia. I have mentioned this a few times here in this blog but this time let's discuss the fit as well as the overall outfit.

Of Combs - You need one of those proper ones eventually - featuring my Kent Brushes combs

These days I usually style my (usually short) hair using either my fingers or one of those combs which you get for free during your stay at a hotel. These are usually made out of plastic and somehow they tend to stick and snag when you use it to comb your hair. I have a few of these plastic combs lying around the bedroom and it actually didn't occur to me that I should get a proper comb. 

Watches: The Citizen Eco-Drive One - The world's thinnest light powered quartz watch

Now this is an interesting Citizen dress watch for those who do not like chunky or thick watches. In fact people who do not want to feel like they are wearing a watch may also apply. The Citizen flagship model called the Eco-Drive One. The world's thinnest light (any sort of light source) powered anolog quartz watch that is 2.98mm thick. Inside this thin case is a wafer thin movement that is 1mm thick. 

LIFESTYLE: HARD ROCK CAFE KUALA LUMPUR CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY - FOOD, DRINKS, CONCERT & LIMITED ED T-SHIRT

 This is slightly off topic than the usual menswear or style or whatever related posts. But it is about food and rock & roll. I suppose it qualifies as lifestyle related and this blog is about living well in the tropics. Yes? 

Shoes: Where do you buy proper shoes on a budget in and around Kuala Lumpur - Tips and more (Updated)

Where do you buy proper shoes on a budget in and around Kuala Lumpur.

This was a question asked by a few of you readers via private message either through email or through Facebook. Most of you who ask this question are usually first time 'proper shoe buyers'. This would mean that you want to graduate from the usual square toe or sharp upward pointy toe shoes that you usually see on sale everywhere. You want these 'proper shoes' but you do not wish to pay a lot of money for them.

My Style these days: Luxuriously Casual

According to someone I met at one of the events I attended I dress 'Luxuriously Casual'. I find this to be very appropriate in describing my style. No one needs to wear a jacket here but it does make a very good first impression if you do. Especially if the fit is correct. If it isn't, you are best not wearing one at all.

A Well Dressed Malaysian: P.Ramlee

 1960s - High Sheen Mohair for the Swinging '60s

The Three pocket Batik Shirt

This Ready to Wear Indonesian Batik Shirt is a favourite of mine. I bought it a long time ago and it is part of my Batik shirt rotation. The photo was taken about two months ago at an afternoon lunch function at a family friend's place.

The Aloha Shirt and the unique 'Reverse Print' Aloha Shirt

The Aloha or the Hawaii type patterned shirt is a staple in Hawaii where it is even allowed as 'businesswear' in most cases except the most formal events on the island. It is actually quite like the batik shirts we use in Malaysia and in Indonesia. The short sleeve version of course.

1920s Malayan - HRH Sultan Ibrahim of Johor and the styling of suits in the 1920s vs 2016

A noted Anglophile. HRH Sultan Ibrahim of Johor in the 1920s. Most probably on one of his many voyages to and from England. Note the cut of the suit (natural unpadded shoulders, short length)  and the length of the trousers (without any break at the bottom). 

The DAISO travel / foldable shoe horn - convenient to carry around with you if you remove your shoes often

One of the reasons why slip on shoes are popular here in Malaysia and actually the whole of Asia is that we remove our shoes quite often. When we are at home we usually go around barefoot. WHen we visit the houses of others we remove our shoes. When we enter a mosque or even some temples we usually remove our footwear. So this usually means having shoes that come off and on easily. A shoe horn would come in handy at times like these.  But you cannot go around carrying a large shoe horn everywhere you go and if you are travelling, a normal one would take up space. Something portable and small is what you need.

Initials vs Monograms and the Rolls Royce Dawn

A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. Usually when it comes to menswear, or clothing, or accessories, it is the initials of a person's name embroidered on one's clothing or printed, etched, engraved on accessories. 

TRUNK SHOW KUALA LUMPUR - P. Johnson Tailors - Kuala Lumpur Trunk Show - 19th and 20th July 2016

WJ & Co, the haberdashery located at the Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. are proud to host P. Johnson Tailors from Australia for their second trunk show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from the 19th to the 20th of July 2016.

My Made To Order Triple Monk Strap Shoes After A Few Years On....

Some of you who have been following this blog would remember me posting something about the shoe above. A made to order, feet measured in three places - rubber bits placed on the plastic last type to ensure the fit, half boot style nail pegs and glue triple monk strap shoe commissioned from a bootmaker in Campbell Complex, Jalan Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur.  Back then the colour wasn't as layered as this.

Casual Shoes: A mix of traditional loafer and a sneaker by Tricker's from the Junya Watanabe MAN for Comme des Garcons

These are something for my more relaxed, casual days but as usual, I have not worn these yet. I suppose this is the bane of having quite a number for shoes and only two feet. They are Green Leather, rubber (sneaker) sole made in Italy for Trickers from the Junya Watanabe MAN for Comme des Garcons.. A mouthful.

From My Drawer of Sharp, Pointy Objects: The British Army Pocket Knife

Alrighty then. So you want to be that fella who is always equipped for any situation that you may happen to encounter on your urban work commute. I think I have mentioned the need of a hat or an umbrella as well as a proper bag to lug around so that you can carry all your stuff with ease. Here I am not talking about tiny sling man bags or those small hand held pouches you see some carry around. Some make you look like you are carrying a toiletry bag instead. Anyway, I am diverging from the topic I wish to present here. A good pocket knife would actually come in handy inside that bag of yours.

How Good Things Last: 1970s Seiko 150m Diver Watch (6309-7040)

This is one of the few vintage Seiko watches that I currently own, Seiko 150m Diver 6309-7040 from the early 1980s. This is the original Seiko Turtle diver. The watch is one of the first ISO few certified divers around and this is why the depth rating is clearly stated on the dial. I procured this sixteen or so years ago at a flea market in Ipoh, Perak at a real bargain. 

A Suitable Wardrobe's Blog is back on line

I used to follow the menswear blog called 'A Suitable Wardrobe' with vigour. The blog, started in 2006 by Will Boehlke could be the most comprehensive collection of classic menswear articles that you could find online. This blog was a good first stop to those who want to know how to dress well. It is after knowing the rules that one should take liberties. A Suitable Wardrobe was the best place to learn the proper stuff.

The hat, the Umbrella and the Bag - Essential items for commuting with public transport in this hot, humid and occasionally rainy weather

The weather over the past two months have been extra hot and humid. But life, errands, work and other necessities that require me to step foot outdoors must continue. So these days, if I have to take public transport I come fully equipped. It used to be just the bag and the brolly. But I have added the straw hat these days. 

Santoni and more from my Instagram

A comparison between an entry level high quality dress shoe and something slightly higher up.

The Loake Spectator / Co-respondent shoes you see here are from Loake Shoe's 1880 line. These are the top of the range shoes when it comes to buying Loake. Now Loake is considered the most affordable way to acquire proper dress shoes. They are actually reasonable price with a decent set of quality controls in place. I should know as I own a couple of pairs and so did my father before me.

Malaysian Men's Style Faux Pas #3 - Still wearing the designer's label or tag on a suit jacket sleeve

This series of articles is to assist a whole lot of you out there. I am slowly coming out with stuff which you SHOULD NOT be doing as it is not how you should do things. Now notice that when you buy yourselves an off the rack new suit, sports jacket or a blazer you would notice that it comes with a lot of things that you should need to remove before you wear it.

How things (do not) last: TUMI card holder with money clip

This is my TUMI cardholder with money clip that I had used almost every day since I purchased it at the Johor Premium Outlet sometime in December 2011. I think I bought it first time visiting JPO. It had just opened and TUMI was one of the first who opened up shop there.

A good article on receiving a compliment

Spending some time to look presentable actually pays off for me. Most of you are aware in sunny and always summer Malaysia almosts everyone dresses very, very casually. I have been getting a fair bit of compliments just because I wore a decent pair or shoes or the shirt was properly tucked in. When you start with the suits, ties, blazers with pocket squares things get even more interesting. 

Change in distributors for BELL & ROSS watches in Asia and the Middle East

Not my usual posting but I just wanted to share this press release about BELL & ROSS watches. New distributors in Asia and the Middle East for the brand. But instead of a real change, it would seem that B & R are going to do it by themselves and not through any distributors. 

Do read the press release below for more information.

Warm weather wear - A breakdown

.

.I wore this earlier today.

Reality vs expectation - Cream Crackers and a Panerai

This here is a pic of my friend's wrist on which is attached a Panerai Luminor (PAM112). Usually when we look at photographs of expensive watches we see them pictured in exotic locales or together with the steering wheel of a luxury car or on the wrist of someone beautiful. . 

No WWII Italian frogmen or Arnold Schwarzenegger or any of The Expendables close by. Or caviar and other exotic food for that matter. 

A messy desk with a calculator and a laptop. Some cream crackers and a cup or coffee to dunk them crackers in. Reality is much simpler actually. The watch still looks good though.

Bresciani Socks here in Kuala Lumpur

I have written about the benefits of wearing above the calf length socks before and you know that it is actually hard to easily find them here in Kuala Lumpur. Usually you have to see if the local Paul Smith boutique has them in stock or you have to ask around as the various designer boutiques whether they keep them in stock. They usually don't. Sometimes, Plal Store in Petaling Jaya keeps some wool mix ones in stock. But they aren't that dressy - a little thick and more suited for winter (Plal usually sells them in their winter wear department and not at their shoe department).

Rome wasn't built in a day. The same applies when building one's wardrobe.

Rome wasn't built in a day. This saying also applies to one's wardrobe. You have to build it up over the years - like the shoes that are shown above. It took me over a decade to get where I am today. There is this balance between want and need as well as affordability at a certain point in time.

What I wore yesterday...to a wedding.

I wore this outfit yesterday afternoon/evening. It was for a solemnisation ceremony that started at around 530pm which continued with a dinner later in the evening. It was a momentous occasion for the newly weds and according to the invite we were supposed to be dressed 'Smart Casual'. 

Some of my photos regarding shoes on Instagram

Here are some photos of some shoes taken from my Instagram account. Do visit or follow this account if you want a glimpse of more stuff that I do post over there but not in here. Above is a pair of Loake 1880 Spectator Brogues. 

Paulini Boutonnière made from pewter - Made In Malaysia with good quality at a bargain price.

I have a tendency to support local craftsmen aside from buying stuff from elsewhere. I also have a tendency to support local haberdashers too. If we don't, no one else will. Local businessmen need support so that the industry can grow and flourish. Take theBoutonnières pictured for instance. 

Another comfortable pair of warm weather shoes

I love these pair of loafers from Italian shoemaker Fratelli Rossetti (in English Fratelli means Workshop...so Workshop Rosetti). These have a woven leather outer with perforated leather inner liner. So they allow air to circulate through them...really allowing the feet to breathe in the hot and humid Malaysian weather. Summer all round remember?

How good things last - 1970s Sterling Silver Parker 75

This has been with me for about 15 years or so. A circa 1970s Parker 75 fountain pen with a 14k gold nib, cover and body made out of Sterling Silver with a cross hatched square grid pattern (called the Cicelé) and can be used with the usual Parker cartridge for ink. 

A Useful Little Bag

This was a present from my better half. It was bought on one of our trips to Singapore. Marked 'Vera Pelle Made In Italy' on the outside. It is a generic Italian made leather bag that you could buy (read, affordable). But one that still allows me to carry my stuff whilst I run around doing my errands with a bit of style. I have another bag, a messenger bag but this has now become my favourite due to its looks and practicality. 

It has two zippered compartments that can fit A4 sized folders (a little snugly), two pouches - one that can fit a smartphone and another, that could fit larger stuff and leather straps that allow you to strap on today's newspaper or a collapsible/folding umbrella like in the photo above. The bag allows me to carry everything I need and keep my hands, and head free (hats come in handy on certain other occasion like at the beach, or watching some outdoor stuff when I don't need to carry documents and stuff with me). The good thing about a bag is that it keeps the brolly outside the bag away from any documents I am carrying unlike the messenger bag where I have to put the brolly inside it. Important when it stops raining after I use it as it stays outside the bag and I don't have to carry it