I have stumbled across the fool-proof formula on how to dress like a trendy local HK youth. After serious analysis and painstaking first-hand research, I submit to you my findings. Please excuse the tone, which sometimes can be considered condescending. I personally would wear some of the garments, I just choose to write cynically about how easily the majority of trendy local youth are to stereotype. QED.
1. The Headgarment
So it appears that Hong Kongers didn't get the memo that Trucker Hats were dead: They're still going strong here. Usually black and high-profile with a white front, they usually contain either ghetto-inspired graphics or non-sensical english phrases. Usually worn by the trendy local male, but can be seen on some females, often covering dyed hair.
2. The Basic Shirt
Comme Des Garcon's Play series T-shirts. Eminently popular here, although yet undetermined if a bootlegger industry exists for Rei Kawakubo's lower-tier line. Generally, the trendy Hong Kong male wears the big black heart on a white Tee, while the female wears the big red heart on a white Tee. This fits with the local ethos of wearing a high-end, exclusive brand, with evidence of the brand displayed prominently on the garment or accessory.
3. The Outergarment
Despite the often-extreme heat and humidity felt in the dense stretches of the city, locals still often wear thin jackets or coats. Thin black leather is also popular, but some of the trendiest wear shiny poly-based jackets to truly stand out. For lack of a better example, this black Alexander McQueen Bomber will have to do.
4. The Pants
Premium Denim. Levi's. 'Nuff said. This is the standard product for both men and women. As several asian (read: mostly Japanese) brands have done collaborations with Levi's in recent years, many locals in the know have picked these jeans up. Competitors Evisu and Seven come in a distant Second and Third Place. Haven't seen much in the way of acid wash or distress marks/holes. They like them clean, fitted and Levi'd out. The only exception to this rule was seeing "Ip Man" and HK Action film superstar Donnie Yen dressed like a '70's pimp in tight white pants. I actually am liking the Levi's I've been seeing here, and might pick up a pair, if not those Original Fake v. Levi's collabo pictured above.
5. The Kicks
In North America, trendsters wear premium Nike Air Force 1's or some comparable off-shoot (you all know the names). Here, the brand of choice is? CONVERSE. Their white shell toes and coloured fabric shells can be seen on 80% of the local youth. Be it His, Lows, Jack Purcells or Chucks, the brand once thought dead is definitely alive in Asia.
6. The Accessory
The Louis Vuitton Bag. This brand is ubiquitous in Hong Kong. Their love for this brand extends from their massive and numerous locations in the City to the Sunday afternoon organized queues due to the sheer volume of visitors to each store. The obsession extends to the point that I almost believe that a girl/guy's first purchase of an LV bag is like a right of passage, similar to a Bar Mitzvah or a Sweet 16. When a trendy HK female is in a relationship with a trendy HK male, it is common to see the male carrying the female's bag.
Coming to Hong Kong and witnessing this bizarre brand addiction has me chastising: "Kanye, How Could You!!!"
BY FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUS 6 EASY STEPS/PURCHASES, NOW YOU CAN BE A HIP, TRENDY HONG KONG LOCAL TOO!!!?!!?!
MUSIC: This track is bangin in my headbox. The Frenchman does it again:
The Kills - Cheap & Cheerful (SebastiAn Remix) (320)
http://www17.zippyshare.com/v/12275195/file.html
