The Dictator On style, she rules
Tuxed in
I'm going to the Cannes Film Festival this month and need a tuxedo with star quality. What are my options?
Film buff, Sheung Wan
For the most elegant, off-the-rack tuxedos go to Giorgio Armani (Alexandra House, Central; tel: 2530-1998). But at $12,500 to $16,000, his tuxes don't come cheap. Boss (Pacific Place, Admiralty; tel: 2918-1833) makes a great tuxedo at a more affordable price: its standard three-button tux costs from $6,900 to $7,900. Cheaper still is the evening wear at Brooks Brothers (Prince's Building location only; tel: 2523-3366), which has three tuxedo styles available for $4,180, plus trousers at $1,800. Gucci, naturally, has tuxedos at rock-star prices. You can choose one off the peg, or have one made-to-measure for $13,420 to $16,870 at its Canton Road and Landmark stores (tel: 2524-4492).
The trimmings: Now you've got the suit, you need the trimmings: dress shirt, bow tie and cummerbund, handkerchief, cufflinks, and the right shoes. You may choose to spice up that lot with gold or black shirt studs and braces. Shirts can come with a wing collar (two little triangles) or turn-down collar and are usually pleated or have a dress front formed by a double layer of cloth. They may be fastened with studs or buttons, although the latter are usually covered by a fly front. Dress shirts should always be worn with cufflinks. Brooks Brothers has an extensive range in silver or gold from $450, or you could try Tiffany & Co (The Landmark, Central; tel: 2845-9853), Dunhill (Pacific Place, Admiralty; tel: 2530-0471) or Links of London (Pacific Place; tel: 2918-9727), which also sells silver collar stiffeners.
So where can you purchase all this finery? Well, any shop that sells tuxedos usually sells the accessories. Armani, for example, has shirts from $3,500 (not including studs), bow ties for $990 and cummerbunds for $1,950. Boss has shirts from $990, bow ties from $490 and sets including a cummerbund for $1,150. Brooks Brothers has shirts for $550, bow ties for $250 and cummerbunds for $1,100. Finally, pay attention to your shoes. Traditionalists say patent leather is essential, but we more contemporary types say black lace-ups with a plain toe, polished to a high shine, are perfectly acceptable. Try Gucci (The Landmark, Central; tel: 2971-0168), which stocks a range of styles from $2,600 to $3,200, or Bally (26 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; tel: 2736-8068), which stocks a range from $2,090 to $3,190. Avoid velvet and high heels.
Tuxe Top (1/F Wing Cheong Building, 18 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2529-2179) charges $450 for a tuxedo and trousers for 24 hours, or $1,050 for a week (the security deposit is $2,400). Shirts start at $350 and rise to $480 with studs. Cufflinks are on sale for $180. Renting a bow-tie set will cost from $300 to $600. Of course, you can always borrow the lot from a better-dressed friend.