Tag / style abroad

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

by Beau H.

Style abroad: Travels through Greece and Italy, Part 3

The lovely waters on the beach in Mykonos -- just one of the many excellent sights we saw on our trip. Setter Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta.

The lovely waters on the beach in Mykonos — just one of the many excellent sights we saw on our trip. Setter Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta.

The good news is that I made it back to the States in one piece! The bad news is that my family cruise to Greece is now done. It really was an absolutely amazing time though, from hours spent eating and drinking on the beach in Mykonos and Katakolon to days exploring the Acropolis in Athens and the legendary Olympia. Our trip also swung through the lovely and iconic island of Santorini – with its whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone streets and old-world charm, it was a huge highlight of the trip. And luckily, I found the clothing I packed to be more than adequate, too! [You can check out a packing roundup, plus entries from Part 1 and Part 2 of the trip, here].

Getting out and about in casual style. Slim Mailbag by Satchel and Page. French Terry Sweatshorts by Pistol Lake. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs.

Getting out and about in casual style. Slim Mailbag by Satchel and Page. French Terry Sweatshorts by Pistol Lake. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs. Guest appearance by a fellow tourist on the right.

I knew going in that the trip would present lots of options for what to wear – from casual days at the beach (and the cruise bar) to formal dinner nights and a bike ride that actually proved to be quite strenuous. Days spent at the pool also called for a versatile swimsuit, like my Orlebar Brown Setter Swim Trunks as seen above.

For active-casual wear, I found myself consistently reaching for my Pistol Lake French Terry Sweatshorts and my Athletic Propulsion Labs sneakers. The futuristic slant of the sneakers made them feel like less of a running shoe and more of a cool-casual sneaker option, while the sweatshorts (as seen here in a Style Pick of the Week entry) were comfortable and breathable. For those situations where I had to turn to dressier yet cool clothing, my Banana Republic khaki shorts and Michael Bastian x Uniqlo polo were more than adequate, while a pair of linen-blend shorts from Frank & Oak also worked quite well.

Relaxing in casual style leaving Katakolon. Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Leather Wooster Slip-ons by GREATS Brand. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta.

Chatting with my dad (on the far right) and relaxing in casual style leaving Katakolon. Swim trunks by Orlebar Brown. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Leather Wooster Slip-ons by GREATS Brand. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Beer by Newcastle.

I found my footwear options to be adequate as well – I wore a pair of Timberland Coulter Chukka boots (courtesy of my day job) for travel, which proved comfortable and effective. The two pairs of loafers I brought along, one by Andre Coton and one pair by G.H. Bass, also saw use during casual and formal dinner situations alike, particularly with my Combatant Gentleman Sky Blue Chinos. My trusty GREATS Brand Wilson sneakers also proved durable and comfortable for exploring Athens and the Acropolis, and worked for dinner later in the day, too!

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip, pictured specifically in Olympia.. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

If anything however, I brought along one too many long-sleeve shirts – while I wore my GAP chambray shirt, I didn’t get the chance to wear my Gustin Spring Plaid Shirt, as I often found myself reaching for more laidback short-sleeve options to pair with white denim or my Taylor Stitch chinos. On the accessories front, my black rubber strap Stuhrling watch was a sporty choice to pair with my sweatshorts and sneakers for strenuous shore excursions, and my Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol leather watch worked well with lots of dinner outfit combinations in particular. My stainless steel Invicta dive watch, a personal favorite, was a solid option with which to hit the beach, and I frequently reached for my Goorin Brothers vintage wool baseball cap (currently sold out online) – it was comfortable and breathable, crucial in the heat of Greece.

For those exploration-filled shore excursions, I took along my Satchel and Page Slim Mailbag – it’s proving to be very durable, sturdy and well-made (plus, who doesn’t love the smell of new leather??).

A formal look for the final night of the cruise. White Poplin Endurance Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit by Combatant Gentleman. Glasses by Warby Parker. Watch by Daniel Wellington.

A formal look for the final night of the cruise. White Poplin Endurance Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit by Combatant Gentleman. Glasses by Warby Parker. Watch by Daniel Wellington.

And my Randolph Engineering Concorde Flash Lens sunglasses worked excellent to combat the sun’s rays too. On the toiletries front, my Baxter of California Travel Kit was convenient, easy to pack and of course, very useful! For formal wear, my Combat Gent White Poplin Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit were sharp, well-fitting and also able to be mixed and matched among the jacket and a separate pair of custom grey suit pants from Black Lapel.

Definitely one of the highlights of the trip -- checking out the amphitheater at the Acropolis in Athens.

Definitely one of the highlights of the trip — checking out the amphitheater at the Acropolis in Athens.

While the process of getting overseas was lengthy (to be expected!) and the time change was a somewhat difficult adjustment at first, I found the whole adventure to be beautiful, serene and highly enjoyable – Royal Caribbean and its staff are friendly, helpful and very gracious, too! It’s certainly a cruise I would take again, and I found several areas I would love to visit again, too.

I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity and the time spent with family as well – and of course, having the chance to work with a few excellent brands on trip gear was pretty neat, too! We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled content here on Wednesday (a product review of the aforementioned Taylor Stitch chinos), but if you’d like to check out more trip photos and content, check out #StyleGuideAbroad via my Twitter and Instagram accounts. Until next time, Greece!

by Beau H.

Style abroad: Travels through Greece and Italy, Part 2

A portion of the stunning Acropolis site in Athens.

In lieu of the regularly scheduled Friday Read, I wanted to take the opportunity to share another dispatch from abroad – the trip has simply been too excellent not to do so! Wednesday and Thursday’s stops on the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas took us to world-famous Mykonos and the equally famous Athens. (Catch up on part 1 of the trip here, and on what I’m packing here). 

The payoff after a bike ride to the beach in Mykonos. Setter Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

 

For a bike ride through the hills of Mykonos to a stunning beach (and then a ride back to an organic winery), I went with functional gear – namely, my Pistol Lake sweatshorts and Athletic Propulsion Labs sneakers, both of which worked perfectly for a rather strenuous bike ride (having barely survived, I can only assume the beer and cigars the night before didn’t help, either!). The vibrant blue waters and lovely sand beach made for a great atmosphere, especially as we enjoyed homemade lemonade prepared by our tour guide.

Of course, the picturesque vista was a prime opportunity to break out some James Bond-inspired (or rather, authentic) swim trunks from Orlebar Brown, along with my Invicta dive watch. My parents gave the family GoPro cameras to chronicle the trip as well, so the waterproof option was handy to have!
 

Exploring the Acropolis in a casual get-up. Polo by Michael Bastian x Uniqlo. Khaki shorts by Banana Republic. White sneakers by GREATS Brand. Leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

 
During dinner, I kept things laidback with some Taylor Stitch chinos and my ever-reliable GREATS Brand sneakers – a combination perfect for strolling from cruise bar to cruise bar. And the heat of Athens on Thursday made it essential to keep rocking my GREATS sneakers plus a tailored Michael Bastian x Uniqlo polo as we explored the Acropolis, as seen above. My trusty Daniel Wellington watch was also a crisp complement to the outfit, and it’s gone well with T-shirts and tailored wear alike.

 

The cruise has presented the opportunity to kick back a lot, too. Slim chinos by Taylor Stitch. White sneakers by GREATS Brand. Beer by Corona.

 
Down the hill from the legendary site, the line-up of cafes and small shops is nice and not too overwhelming – the fresh lunch choices, including authentic fare like lamb kebabs – are delicious, too. Our final port stop on Friday takes us to the small seaside village of Katakolon, where a private guide is set to take us to yet another legendary tour stop, Olympia – site of the ancient Olympic games.

The enchanting Rhapsody then sails back to the port town of Civitavecchia, Italy across the weekend – but between now and then, keep a weather eye out for the weekly Style Pick. In the meantime, follow along via my Instagram and Twitter accounts using #StyleGuideAbroad.

Stay stylish,

-Beau

by Beau H.

Style abroad: Travels through Greece and Italy, Part 1

The view from a small boat to Santorini, Greece.

If you’re just joining us (or just catching up to TSG), this dispatch comes to you from the high seas! Specifically, somewhere between Greece and Italy for a family cruise. The biggest takeaway so far: what a trip it’s been. I knew going in (and packing) for the trip that it was bound to be incredible — but until you’ve experienced the beauty of this part of the world, there’s really nothing like it. It’s been an unmatched experience, but thankfully, my wardrobe has withstood the test to this point. 

Exploring the port town of Civitavecchia, Italy pre-cruise with some comfortable Mott & Bow white denim. Brown leather chukkas by Timberland.

 
I’ve had the chance to try out a few different outfit combos and to date, I’ve found my Mott & Bow white denim to be both comfortable and versatile, perhaps the best pair of pants I brought along. They’ve proven a crisp option for travel when paired with brown leather chukkas, and that’s equally true of my unconstructed J. Crew blazer (get the scoop on other great blazer options here). My GAP chambray shirt, in breezier situations, and my Banana Republic khaki shorts (in hotter temps) have also fared well, as have the range of summer T-shirt options I  brought along –namely my Pistol Lake henley is a well-fitting yet breathable option, as is a lightweight H&M v-neck. And the Combatant Gentleman chinos I packed — soon to be featured as this week’s Style Pick — are casual yet tailored enough for dinner wear.

 

Shore style in Santorini. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Charcoal pocket tee by American Apparel. French Terry Sweatshorts by Pistol Lake. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs. Black rubber strap watch by Stuhrling. Slim Mailbag by Satchel and Page.

 
For a particularly strenuous shore excursion in Santorini,  I turned to my  Pistol Lake sweatshorts and sweet Athletic Propulsion Labs running shoes — hiking the mountains of Greece absolutely calls for it, yet thankfully, they’re futuristic and unique enough that they feel less like a running shoe and more like a new-age sneaker you’d see on a fashion runway. My Satchel and Page Slim Mailbag has also proven more than up to the test of tagging along for the journey, and it’s pretty neat to be carrying a bag that’ll only get better with age (full review of that in the coming weeks).

 

Kicking back in casual style. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Bros. Blue V-neck by H&M. Shorts by Frank & Oak. Glasses by Warby Parker. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Beer by Heineken.

 
And in the rest of my downtime, I’ve found myself reaching for lightweight linen blends, like my Frank & Oak shorts or a Stock Mfg. Co shirt, plus crisp-casual accessories (like a versatile wool-blend Goorin Bros. hat or my trusty G.H. Bass brown leather loafers). My Orlebar Brown swim trunks (more on those here) are faring quite nicely, too. On the footwear front, my trusty GREATS Brand Wilson sneakers and Leather Wooster Slip-ons have also pulled some double-duty on shore trips and casual wear to date, and I’m excited to continue pairing them with the selection of chinos and denim I brought.

   

Hoping to strike it rich in my Combatant Gentleman double-breasted suit jacket, custom Black Lapel suit pants, G.H. Bass loafers and Combatant Gentleman shirt. Watch by Daniel Wellington. Italian beer by Peroni.

  
 For formal wear, I’ve mixed and matched my Combatant Gentleman Steel Blue Glenplaid Double-Breasted Suit Jacket with some custom grey suit pants, brown loafers and a crisp White Endurance Shirt from Combat Gent, and my Combat Gent chinos as seen above (with some Andre Coton loafers) are also working well. On the accessories front, my Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol watch is holding up quite nicely — the pared-down, minimalist design is a big benefit when packing and traveling.

Luckily, the weather’s proved sunny and warm, so I haven’t tripped up on not bringing outerwear — yet, that is. The rest of our trip calls for a bicycle tour and some town and shore exploration in Mykonos today, followed by stops in Athens and Katakolon! At any rate, check back here on Friday for the weekly Friday Read post, and swing back through on Saturday (if you feel like it) for the Style Pick of the Week. More coming from Greece next week on The Style Guide, too!

Stay stylish,

-Beau
Ernest Alexander

Ben Sherman US