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 shoelaces can add character to a pair of shoes

I just changed the shoelaces of this pair of shoes. Some Italian brand by the name of Bruno Cascinelli, one of the million or so Italian made and branded shoes sold.Typical affordable blake stitched pair that are reasonably comfy and fits my feet well.

Anyway, see what dark blue laces do to the shoe instead of the usual brown laces. Turns things up a notch in terms of 'dandiness'...no?

More Colour Down Below - Blue Shoelaces on Black Shoes

One of the reasons why I prefer shoes with laces instead of wearing slip ons to work is that they make you look prim and proper. Slip ons are good for casual fridays, and weekends, or when you're not wearing your best dress shirt with those expensive cufflinks, nice knitted tie and that good pair of pants.

And who says using shoes that need tying are boring? They've got the most patterns and styles. Take for example the brogues, they're the most 'flowery' of all shoes out there. If they were in chocolate brown, they're delightfully tasty.

But what if you have a very simple plain toe bluchers (bluchers or derby shoes are those with open lacing instead of the more formal balmorals) ?  You can play around with some coloured laces. I've done them here and most of the time no one will notice it, except the wearer himself. It's a sartorial twist that only the wearer will appreciate.

People may notice those green socks though.