Brett Davis - AsiaLIFE Magazine

sartorial conundrums
The Return of the Navy Blazer
By Luis Antonio Torres
Gentlemen, this week I am
answering a question that was
emailed to me on the nature
of the navy blue blazer. The
question: “How do I choose
the proper cut, for example
DB (double-breasted) or SB
(single-breasted)? What is the
real colour navy, and what can
a good blazer be paired with?”
Here are my answers to the
gentleman who wrote in.
Right now, we are being
informed that the best way to
trick out your wardrobe is by
returning to the tried and true.
Serious, stylish clothing with a
slightly dandyish bit of colour
is enjoying an uptick. This includes
dressy dark suits, pinstripes
and double-breasted
silhouettes with elegant and
sophisticated shirts and ties.
About four or five seasons
ago (about a year and a half
in human time), tradition was
still looked on as a commodity
of décor. Now, it seems to be
returning in earnest. Witness
the growing number of blogs
concerned with American Ivy
League style, to name but one
example.
The blazer is back in
fashion and this time around
in decidedly luxury fabrics—
featherweight worsted
cashmeres for those going
for top-shelf quality. Options
are also available in denim,
raw silk, linen and cottons
for the warmer climates. For
those who really are looking
for something smoother and
lighter, 9-ounce versions are
available, although an 8-ounce
tropical hopsack worsted or
fresco (open weave) cloth
can’t be beat.
No question about it, the
blazer is the most international,
civilized, easily adaptable,
all-purpose and essential
tailored garment in the wardrobe.
The multipurpose jacket
can be worn with a classic
polo shirt, jeans and loafers
or with a pristine broadcloth
dress shirt and tie, dark grey
worsteds and suede shoes;
virtually anything in between
works when it comes to the
bottoms: twills, gabardines,
linens, fine whales, khakis.
Regardless on how a man
is going to wear his blazer,
there are three important considerations
to keep in mind
when we’re talking about the
real thing: the fabrics, the cut
and the buttons. Fabrics for
cooler-weather jackets mean
flannel, twill or cashmere. For
warmer weather dressing,
lightweight cashmere, silk,
linen, serge or tropical worsted
weaves. And of course,
the true colour is navy blue.
True navy blue falls between
the almost black of midnight
blue and a simple dark blue.
So the next time you’re out
visiting tailors or searching
for a great blazer, make sure
the tailor knows his cuts and
forms, the fabric compositions
and origins and the quality
and the construction of the
garment.
Luis Antonio Torres is a
designer and the creative
director of Massimo Ferrari
Bespoke. Email your sartorial
conundrums to a.torres@
massimoferraro.com.vn.
Sophisticated boutique showcasing a
diverse range of imported women’s accessories.
Also houses women’s garments
from office wear to cocktail and party
creations.
Luggage Street
Le Lai Street, D1 between Ben Thanh
Market and Truong Dinh.
Duffle bags, backpacks, messenger bags
and carry-on suitcases are all available on
this stretch of District 1.
ACTIVE WEAR
China Beach Surf Club
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Stocks famous surf and surf-inspired
brands like Reef, Rip Curl and men’s wear
from Volcom. It has everything you’d need
for a visit to the beach and more. There
are string bikinis, tees, board shorts, caps
and thongs, just to name a few.
Pinko
Rex Hotel, 146-148-150 Pasteur, D1
Tel: 3827 2240
Spacious and simple store displaying
women’s sportswear imported from Hong
Kong and China. Body lotion and perfume
imported from America.
Roxy and Quiksilver
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
The original active living and extreme
sports brands, Roxy and Quiksilver products
combine form and function. Choose
from outdoor gear to cool indoor clothes.
TBS Sports Centre
102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan
This store stocks a range of good sports
clothes and equipment from big name
brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco, Nike
and Converse.
Volcom
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand from
America. Lots of tank tops, minis and
shorts for day tripping with girlfriends or
lazing on the beach.
READY TO WEAR
unisex
2bling
246 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan
Specializes in urban streetwear, with a
range of t-shirts, sneakers, baseball caps,
hoodies and more. Tees are both imported
from around Asia and designed in-house.
BAM Skate Shop
174 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 0903 641 826
In addition to a range of decks, wheels
and trucks, this small shop is stocked
with bookbags, skate sneakers, track
jackets and t-shirts emblazoned with your
skateboard company of choice.
Bo Sua Local Streetwear
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3993 9599
www.bosua.vn
An offshoot of the Boo street-style skater
fashion brand made popular in Hanoi, this
brand translated as “Cow Milk” features
fun colourful t-shirts, women’s casual wear
and sneakers that celebrate the quirky
street life of Vietnam.
“ello
263 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan
This tiny little shop on Phu Nhuan’s hipster
fashion strip is stocked with some of the
coolest trend items in HCMC. Carries a
frequently refreshed selection of T-shirts,
skinny pants and women’s tops.
FCUK
127 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3914 7740
www.frenchconnection.com
Trendy UK brand with a selection of
fashion-forward dresses for women and
smart workwear and funky casual wear for
men, all at middle-market prices.
Hagattini
1A Pham Ngoc Thach, D1
Tel: 2244 8105
www.hagattini.com
Vietnamese brand housing clothing for all
occasions. Normal to office wear, casual
to party outfits using materials imported
from Hong Kong and designed and made
in Vietnam.
Konheo
32 Dinh Tien Hoang, Binh Thanh
Tel: 6653 4187
info@konheo.com
www.konheo.com
Founded and run by a group of local
Vietnamese guys, this T-shirt store flaunts
simple-cut T-shirts with playful prints and
humorous printed texts. Also does custom
made t-shirts for 160,000 VND.
Levi’s Flagship Store
19–21 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3500 1501
The 320-square-metre retail space spread
over three levels offers the city’s largest
and most exclusive collection of Levi’s
bottoms, tops and accessories.
L’Usine
151/1 Dong Khoi, D1
Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a period
building restored to evoke the aesthetic
of an early 20th-century garment factory.
Carries an exclusive, frequently refreshed
line of imported men’s and women’s fashion,
including T-shirts and footwear, and a
range of unique accessories. Entrance via
the street-level Art Arcade.
Lu.Xu.Bu
320 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan
Well known among the HCMC hipsterati,
this trendy shop is mostly given over to
T-shirts (many by young, Bangkok-based
designers), but also carries jeans, button
shirts and more.
Miss Sixty & Energie
13 Ngo Duc Ke, D1
Local outlet of the Miss Sixty brand hugely
favoured by Hollywood’s young starlets.
Also stocks clothes from its men’s label,
Energie.
Orange
238 Pasteur, D3
Funky little boutique carries unique
accessory pieces a good selection of
T-shirts with quirky, unique graphics for
very reasonable prices. A smaller outpost
is located at the corner of Pasteur and Le
Thanh Ton in District 1.
Rok Factory
382 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan
www.rokexchange.com
Small shop founded by local artist/
photographer carries streetwear for the
rock-oriented lifestyle, including T-shirts,
hoodies, socks and accessories.
Replay
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
116 Nguyen Trai, D1
187 Hai Ba Trung, D3
Tel: 3925 0252
Wide variety of shoes, clothing, denim for
teens and university-age men and women.
Carries boots, sandals, pumps and sneakers
at mid-range prices.
Runway
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3993 9988
runway.sg@global-fashion.vn
Massive and minimalist design-led interior
lets ultra high-end designer garments
stand out. Carries men's, women's and
children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes, accessories
along with home décor. Brands
include Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga,
Sergio Rossi and Eres.
See By Harajuku
130 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3
Tel: 090 986 8622
Small, friendly store stocking both men’s
and women’s streetwear, channelling Japanese
and Korean fashion trends. Bright
and funky T-shirts and maxi dresses, as
well as accessories and footwear. New
stock every month.
Versace
26 Dong Khoi
Designer brand in men’s formal wear.
Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts
as well as an array of men’s accessories.
Also stocks womens clothing and shoes.
VOV
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
403 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan
www.vovietchung.com
Retail base for Vo Viet Chung, one of
Vietnam’s best-known designers. VOV is
known for blending traditional form with
contemporary cuts, colours and textures.
men
Lucas
69A Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3827 9670
Fashion store housing contemporary
designs in casual, office and evening wear
imported from Hong Kong.
Massimo Ferrari
42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3
Tel: 3930 6212
Bespoke menswear shop also boasts
its own brand of contemporary preppy
attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a
line of European-quality shoes, bags and
accessories designed in-house, as well as
exclusive Orobianco unisex bags, designer
fragrances and eyewear.
Mattre
19 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 3412
This local men’s clothes shop has some
funky tops and jeans for more fashionforward
males. Apparel in sizes that fit
the typical Western man’s frame are often
available. Another store is located on Hai
Ba Trung and Ly Tu Trong
Milano
Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi
www.milanogoods.com
A conjoining shop with D&G offering a
selection of men’s shoes and accessories
with a sideline in women’s clothing. D&G
provides a collection of menswear, from
casual jeans and T-shirts to uniquely
designed suit jackets.
Mizada
150 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3822 2508
mizada07@yahoo.com
An A-to-Z collection of men’s clothing
with an influx of new fashion arriving on
the racks regularly. Carries smart, casual
shirts, trousers, jeans and jackets, as well
as bags and scarves.
New Urban Male
226 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 4416
www.newurbanmale.com
Caters to a wide range of consumer tastes
from beach duds to streetwear. The goods
include international men’s brands such as
Havaianas, C-IN2, Jabs Waterboys, Rebel
Jeans and aussieBum. Also carries men’s
grooming products.
Timberland
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Sells everything the brand is known
for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and
trousers that are both smart and casual.
The emphasis is on muted tones and
unobtrusive logos for men who don’t like
to show off.
women
Axara
Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh
Ton, D1
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
21 Nguyen Trai, D1
Tel: 3993 9399
www.axara.com
Carries women’s clothing suitable for
work, weekends or evening. Luxurious
fabrics and simple cuts and styles all at
reasonable prices. Also carries handbags
and accessories.
Balenciaga
Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue
Tel: 6291 3572
Sporting modern shapes and elegant
items crafted from natural, raw and
artificial materials.
BCBGMAXAZRIA
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
American brand sells women’s day
dresses and tops, evening gowns and
wear-to-work attire in many prints and
colours. Also carries a small selection of
accessories, sunglasses and watches.
Bebe
Saigon Center, 65 Le Loi, D1
Tel: 3914 4011
www.bebe.com
An international brand that specializes
in contemporary, modern tees and sexy,
elegant dresse, tops and party attire.
Bon Mua Boutique
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3993 9888
www.itamoda.com.vn
Luxury women’s clothing store with racks
organized by designer. Carries small
collection of unique pieces from designers
such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti,
Blumarine, Valentino, Philosophy and
Brunello Cucinelli.
Caro
Zen Plaza, 54-56 Nguyen Trai, D1
Local designs and tailoring of elegant tops
and dresses with a distinctly Eastern influence.
Provides a range of attire for both
the office and a night out. The friendly
staff is eager to help find an outfit for any
occassion.
Chloe
Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue, D1
Tel: 6291 3582
Parisian-influenced fashion house specializes
in simple, traditional designs with a
feminine and fashionable twist. Jeans,
satin dresses and a wide array of accessories
are on display.
Contraband
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Ready-to-wear brand for hip, modern
women. Range includes office wear to
evening wear. The collection is updated
each month with new international trends.
Dieu Thanh
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851
www.dieuthanh.com
Experienced tailor shop also carries its
own line of clothing. Once specialized in
swimwear and cotton clothing but has
expanded to sell business suits, evening
dresses, luxury fabrics and accessories.
ER-Couture Boutique
43 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2411 www.
er-couture.com
erolskov@er-couture.com
Exclusive Scandinavian brand offering
designer garments. Versatile fashion for
women in European sizes 34-44. Each
style is released in limited quantities and
can be tailored to individual taste.
Esprit
58 Dong Khoi, D1
Outpost for the international brand of
colourful, preppy men’s and women’s
casual wear.
Etam
188 Hai Ba Trung, D1
Famous all over the world for their French
style. There’s a large range of shirts, T-
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