August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 by Beau H.

Guest Post: #Menswear at Malaysia’s P. Lal

Editor’s note: The world of style is remarkably vast, to put it mildly. It seems no matter where you go, great brands and great finds abound. Returning guest author Mark Lai spent some time globetrotting this summer [much like your humble author] and delivered this dispatch from Malaysia — yes, Malaysia — where shoe fiends who delve deep into the menswear world will feel right at home. Follow him on Instagram to keep up with his style adventures.

A brief peek at what was to come at P. Lal in Kuala Lumpur.

As far as quality shoe brands are concerned, Singapore is largely a barren wasteland. While establishments like Ed Et Al, Carmina and Septíème Largeur have opened in recent years, the majority of Singapore’s shoe landscape is still dominated by the likes of Hush Puppies and Ecco. There remains a dearth of choice for quality shoes at specific price ranges -for instance, Ed Et Al is the most budget-friendly option, with prices for their (excellent) ready-to-wear pieces starting around $350. [Editor’s note: Check out other budget-friendly dress shoe options here].

P. Lal in most of its shoe-envy glory.

Fortunately, there remains a veritable perk of residing in Singapore: Kuala Lumpur, home to P.Lal, is a mere 5 hours’ drive away. For those unfamiliar with it, P.Lal is a family-owned shoe store located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in the Petaling Jaya district, and has been in operation since 1929. The brands stocked, with their respective pricing points indicated in the brackets, include a range (detailed below) from entry-level to drool-worthy, with a focus on European heritage shoemakers.

A good look at the anatomy of a Goodyear-welted shoe by Loake.

Loake (Entry-level)
- P. Lal claims to have the largest collection of Loake shoes in the world. Although I’m in no position to verify that, it may well be true since they stock most of the models from all of Loake’s ranges – Loake 1880s, Loake Shoemakers, Loake Evolution, design Loake and L1. (Editor’s note: You might recognize these guys Stateside, as they’re sold via East Dane).
Barker (Entry-level to mid-range)
- I confess that I didn’t have a good look at the models from Barker while I was there, largely because I was in the market for a pair of Loakes, and because I saw a few cemented (referring to the method of attaching the soles of the shoes to their uppers) and corrected grain models, which I wasn’t quite fond of.
Cheaney (Mid-range)
- In addition to their main collection of Cheaney’s, it’s also worth noting that P.Lal has factory seconds of Cheaney’s shoes, albeit in limited sizes and models. At prices similar to or lower than Loake 1880s, these seconds are an incredible deal, provided you can find one in your size.
Crockett & Jones (Mid-range) [Editor’s note: Another brand with a recognizable name — they supply boots to none other than James Bond].
- It’s quite a pity that Crockett & Jones stopped supplying to P.Lal some years ago, ostensibly due to their overly-low prices that Crockett & Jones weren’t agreeable with. A few sizes remain.

Gaziano & Girling (High-end)
- At prices starting from about $730 or so, shoes from Gaziano & Girling remain firmly in my personal “see but don’t touch” category for the time being. Fine, I might have touched them ever so briefly, but that limited touching was rudely interrupted by the drool leaking uncontrollably out of my mouth, induced by the elegance of those beautiful lasts, channeled soles and fiddleback waists.

More Loake shoes on display at this veritable shoe lover’s dream.

I found shopping at P.Lal to be a blissfully serene experience. Unlike most other shops, I was able to walk around the shop at my complete leisure, without the pressure of having a sticky sales associate pushing products onto me. (When engaged however, the sales associates were extremely attentive and knowledgeable, giving me advice on the lasts which would fit my wide-ish feet.) That lack of pressure resulted in me spending two-and-a-half hours asking a ton of questions, trying on multiple sizes in various models, walking around the shop in the shoes I was trying and gazing lovingly at the display shoes as if they were museum exhibits. Left in my trail were two exhausted sales associates, a companion who had mentally checked out long ago and many shoe boxes.

In addition to the wide array of shoes and the wonderful shopping experience, the favorably low value of the Malaysian Ringgit compared to U.S. dollars and P.Lal’s lowest fixed prices guarantee provide two more compelling reasons to drop in for a visit if you’re ever in town.

Lastly, note that orders can be placed via email at plal@plal.com or via telephone (pull out that long-distance calling card) at this number: +60 3 7955 5454 or +60 10 540 5454

July 1, 2015July 23, 2020 by Beau H.

Guest Post: The Product Review, Clarks Bushacre 2 Boots

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from Mark Lai, a college student based abroad and a longtime reader who’ll be offering his own take on the world of menswear in the coming months. For further guest posts, click here.

Pick up a pair for yourself, take good care of ’em, and one day they might look like this. Photo courtesy of author.

The Clarks Bushacre 2 in Beeswax Leather was my first pair of #menswear shoes, and indeed, my first pair of shoes purchased with the consideration of quality and style, rather than based solely on a label. I’ve long been on the hunt for a pair of the best chukka boots for men — and the best boots for men, period — and I might have found them. A year and a half later, they’re still looking good, especially considering their cheap price tag. If you want to invest in a pair of leather boots, you can still do that — brands like Alden have long made investment-level boots.

In terms of construction, the Bushacres are made with full-grain leather uppers (albeit of a lower grade than more expensive shoes), featuring what appears to be a fabric lining. The main difference between these and Clarks Desert Boots are the rubber soles used in the Bushacres, which are harder than the soft crepe soles used in the Desert Boots. Due to the pillow-like comfort of crepe soles, many choose the Desert Boots over these. However, I chose these for what should be better durability than crepe. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with some of the best chukka boots on the market. Besides, the tendency for crepe to become dirty and discoloured was one aspect that I decided I’d be better-off without. As the photos show, the soles are holding up pretty well, with only the back of the heels showing signs of wear. I’m highly considering getting these resoled with Dainite soles after they’re worn down.

Sizing-wise, I bought these as a US 8, a full size down from my usual US 9 shoes. Despite this, I encountered some uncomfortable heel slippage the first few times I wore them out, with the heel counters proving to be especially hard on my heels. They gradually broke in, and are now one of my more comfortable shoes. They run wide, which is perfectly fine with me as that’s how my wide feet like my shoes to fit.

The classic Clarks Bushacres — different looks and construction than the traditional Desert Boot, but with some added benefits. Photo courtesy of author.

Although the Bushacres may draw flak for their (relatively) sloppy, unstructured aesthete and their non-Goodyear welted construction, they’re a great option for anyone just starting on their sartorial journey. I know for one that these taught me how to take care of my shoes, which has served me well in handling more expensive ones.

The leather uppers are capable of holding a nice shine, but tend to smudge more easily than my other full-grain shoes, which a good buffing will solve easily. Taking care of your favorite boots is crucial, after all. Also, the insoles are stitched to a layer of canvas, which is then cemented to the sole itself, making these resoleable, particularly if the uppers are cared for properly. In this case, we see two qualities that stand out refreshingly from the vast majority of sub-$100 shoes: full grain uppers and resoleability, as opposed to corrected grain uppers and fully cemented soles. The best men’s chukka boots feature a lot of these qualities nowadays, which is refreshing to see.

Paired with slim (but not overly cropped) trousers. Photo courtesy of author.

Personally, I prefer wearing the Bushacres with trousers that have a wider leg opening (the leg opening of the denim above is about 7.5 inches), as they cover the top of the boots and make them look less clunky. I find that wearing cropped, overly-slim trousers with them like this causes the Bushacres to look disproportional and somewhat high street-ish, or maybe that’s just my obsession with details speaking.

As for my care routine, I polish them monthly. I first brush the shoes to get rid of any dust, following that up with the application of a layer of Collonil 1909 leather lotion (Saphir products would do fine as well, as would Kiwi Leather Lotion. After roughly 20 minutes wait for it to be absorbed, I brush them lightly again to remove excess lotion. Another application of Collonil 1909 neutral-coloured leather cream succeeds this, another wait, and finally, another brushing to bring out the shine. I also place shoe trees in them and brush them after each use.

At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple principle: buy affordable men’s shoes made with good materials, take good care of them and they’ll look great. Besides, would you rather your shoes looking like mine or like this?

What have your experiences been like with the classic shoe? Considering picking up a pair for yourself? Where else would you go to buy some of the best chukka boots for men? Let me know!

May 25, 2015May 30, 2015 by Beau H.

Guest Post: Best Men’s Sneakers to Buy Right Now

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post by Madhav Sekar of wardrobedomination.com. Madhav helps young men with limited style knowledge develop great style and live better lives. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

The Wilson (in White) from GREATS Brand. Just one of many excellent sneakers you could buy this spring or summer. More great picks below.

If you’ve been paying attention to menswear, you’ve probably seen the rise of sneakers as a style item and not just an athletic accessory. Every company seems to be selling them, and prices range from as low as $35 to as high as several hundred dollars. With all these options, it’s easy to fall prey to analysis paralysis – that is, the flood of options makes it impossible to make a decision. For now, I want you to ignore the other options and focus on the sneakers shown below. These shoes are both affordable and versatile.

#1. Vans for J. Crew Washed Canvas Authentic Sneakers — $60

Well-worn sneakers: My old pair (right) next to my new pair (left).

This is my all-time favorite sneaker. I’ve worn this with every possible outfit – jeans, khakis, chinos, shorts, even a shirt and tie– you name it and I’ve most likely done it. My first pair of these shoes lasted a bit longer than a year (I probably should’ve thrown them out sooner though). This shoe is super-affordable and is a great bang for your buck. I will undoubtedly keep wearing and re-buying this shoe as long as it’s still made.

#2. Jack Purcell Converse Sneakers — $65

A must-have for the spring and summer.

You NEED to own a pair of white sneakers. There’s no getting around this. Do you know how cool you’ll look wearing some nice denim and white sneakers? (Answer: incredibly cool) Granted, they will get dirty, but thankfully these don’t come in at too hefty a price. Personally, I’d be scared, knowing my tendency to get things dirty, to invest in these. Obviously, these Jack Purcells aren’t your only option – there are tons to choose from. You could go check out Tretorn, GREATS, or Adidas (I like the hint of green in these classic Stan Smiths).

#3. Vans Leather Authentic — $65

Minimal, sleek and unexpected — badass, right?

In pursuing your quest towards great style, you’ve got to pick up these black leather sneakers. Although they’re the opposite color, they’re just as cool as the white ones. They may be slightly less versatile – as you’ll probably only wear them with darker colors. But they’re definitely still worth the small investment. You may be a bit hesitant to try wearing these at first, but I encourage you to take the plunge, get a pair, and start wearing them. Sometimes you’ve got to push your comfort zone to get better.

#4. New Balance 998 Sneakers — $170

Are you ready to join the New Balance movement?

New Balance sneakers are incredibly popular now. They come in a ton of colors and look great with chinos or denim – maybe it’s the retro silhouette. J. Crew’s site is probably one of the best places to buy these shoes – they carry a huge selection of them. In addition to the 998, they also carry the 996 and 1400 silhouette. Ideally, you’d be able to have a couple different colorways in your wardrobe, but unfortunately these shoes can be a bit pricey. If you’re looking for a cheaper option in a more neutral color, check out the Rosen sneakers from GREATS.

#5. Seavees Baja Slip On — $78

Shake things up with a slip-on.

After getting the basics, you definitely wanna check out a pair of slip-ons. These can be worn in all the same situations as sneakers and are a nice way to add some variety to your footwear game. I love these shoes because they’re simple, they have a strong “surfer” theme, and the footbed is made of bamboo canvas. But if this pair doesn’t get you goin’, check out this pair from GREATS or this pair from Sperry. And if you’re feeling particularly bold, I’d recommend these Seavees or these Sperrys.

Honorable Mention

If none of these shoes caught your fancy (I’d be really surprised if this were the case), here are some underdogs that you may find attractive. Uniqlo has recently ventured in to the world of sneakers – pricing theirs at a whopping $34.90. If you’re super nervous about wearing sneakers and want to try it out without breaking the bank, this is the pair for you.

If you want a black pair with a little bit of character, grab these shoes from Spanish brand Massimo Dutti. I really love the subtle hints of blue throughout. If you’re not sure whether you want to spend your paycheck this month on rent or a pair of shoes – take a look at these. Even if I could afford them, I’m not sure I trust myself enough to take care of them.

The Last Word

To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, “the best time to get in to the sneaker game was yesterday, the second best time is today” – so, open a new tab on your browser and pick up one of these bad boys. I guarantee you won’t regret it.

Tell me what you think — do you have any experience with any of these kicks? Do you have any other suggestions?

April 27, 2015April 28, 2015 by Beau H.

Guest Post: Five Ties Guaranteed To Make You Stand Out

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post by Madhav Sekar of wardrobedomination.com. Madhav’s site helps young men with limited style knowledge quickly and inexpensively improve their style to live better lives. Take it away, Madhav!

We’d all be fortunate to have this many ties in our arsenal. For now, here’s a few versatile picks below. Image courtesy Shutterstock.

It is essential to own the classic ties, those ones that have found their way into the closets of guys for decades on end (think a red pindot tie or a blue repp stripe tie). These are the kind of ties even presidents wear over and over again — the ones that are just that timeless. However, we all need to toss on a unique piece of neckwear from time to time. Style isn’t just about looking good or fitting a “dress code” — it’s a way to communicate and express yourself and your creativity. You want to show people that you are different and that you take risks.

Disclaimer: I’m not suggesting you wear psychedelic paisley ties that look like they came straight out of a hippie’s latest hallucination… just ties with a bit of personality that will get you noticed.

Here are five ties that will separate you from the herd (in a good way).

#1. The Tie Bar Washed Navy Chambray Tie — $19

A subtle pattern, great fabric, and affordable price.

If you haven’t heard of The Tie Bar yet, you should probably start shopping there. It’s a great brand. Their ties retail between $15-$25 and they actually combine quality and looks for the price. This tie is made from chambray, a lighter fabric that makes for an extremely stylish look, particularly in warmer weather. Chambray is one of my favorite materials right now, and designers are literally using it to make every article of clothing. This tie will stand out in equal parts for its design, color and material.

#2. J. Crew Factory Gingham Tie — $30

Gingham is a must-have for your wardrobe.

It’s hard to make any sort of clothing recommendation without mentioning J. Crew. While this tie doesn’t have striking colors or crazy patterns, it will still help you stand out. I am personally a huge fan of gingham (I may or may not own five different gingham shirts). Gingham may be the most underutilized pattern in a man’s closet. This tie can be worn in any sort of situation – for a big meeting or a more casual event. It would look especially stellar paired with a crisp khaki suit. If you need more convincing: anytime I’ve worn any gingham article of clothing, especially this one, at least two or three people have complimented me on it.

#3. Barney’s Multi-Stripe Tie — $39

Rebelling from the classic repp stripe tie.

Even though this piece is a mere striped tie, it still brings a unique edge thanks to the rather unusual color blending (a couple shades of blue, some white & red and a caramel stripe, too). I love this tie because of its implications for the rest of your outfit. First, you can find a great pair of socks that complement or match this tie in terms of color. Second, the possibilities for your pocket square are endless. You can choose a square with similar color and a different texture, a completely different color with a similar texture, or something completely random! As always, you should be wearing a watch with this outfit. The other ties in this list are either too bold or not bold enough for this kind of accessory freedom. When paired with a neutral khaki suit, each piece should work quite well together.

#4. J.Crew Silk Tie with Embroidered Insects — $75

For the first time on this site — recommending you wear an insect pattern.

This tie is probably the first, and last, time you’re going to see insects mentioned in any style-related context. But here they are. Ties with some creepy crawlers on them. It’s different, but different is good. I could actually imagine this tie working especially well in a formal setting. Here’s why: when you rock this tie with a nice suit or blazer you’re basically saying, no proclaiming, “I respect the workplace environment, but I’m also bold enough to explore and do unconventional things if I have to!” The chance of a promotion after wearing a tie like this increases 98-99% on average (source: too much data to cite). A note on price — try and use that student discount if you can swing it!

#5. Bo Clothing Fasel Tie – $80

Can you handle this tie?

This tie is a bold piece – and also an expensive one. Here’s how you can justify your purchase. The chance that you’ll accidentally wear a similar tie as a co-worker or friend is basically nonexistent. You will get compliments. You will get asked about it. You will cement your position as a man who knows what he’s doing. If you need more convincing, think of this tie as an investment. You won’t get tired of wearing it and you’ll get endless happiness from looking at yourself in the mirror. Another tie that brings similar pattern for much less can be picked up from team at Harrison Blake Apparel. Tone this one down with a crisp white OCBD and a navy blazer.

Honorable Mention:

Another great and essential piece is the silk knit tie. This tie is super versatile in that it can be used to dress down a formal outfit or dress up a casual one. Regardless of which route you choose it is a highly stylish piece. Wearing it will definitely get you noticed.

The Hill-Side has a vast selection of unique ties made out of lovely fabrics, in addition to also unique clothing and accessories in general. While these ties are a bit pricier, they are undoubtedly worth the investment.

The ties by the folks over at General Knot are also well-made and similarly priced. They’re all limited edition and created using rare and vintage fabrics found all around the world (Editor’s note: Anyone have experience with this brand? Never tried them out, but curious!).

Whichever selection you go with, each of the ties on this list really bring great spring & summer styling potential — from the boardroom to the bar and back.

Would you experiment with any of these ties? Do you have any more suggestions?

Editor’s note: Need more spring style content? I’ve been writing a series of weekly Buyer’s Guide pieces on VOUCH Mag — the next is coming up on Wednesday, April 29.

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Tag / guest post

Guest Post: #Menswear at Malaysia’s P. Lal

Guest Post: The Product Review, Clarks Bushacre 2 Boots

Guest Post: Best Men’s Sneakers to Buy Right Now

Guest Post: Five Ties Guaranteed To Make You Stand Out