The Dictator rules: Don’t be so presumptuous. I hardly think someone like you could possibly view the world in the same way as I do. We may have both seen the same photo of model Gisele Bundchen and her legendary legs clad in Anthony Vacarello’s black vinyl skinny trousers (HK$7,820; netaporter.com). However, only one of us had the hubris to make the leap to think, “I should get those, too.” My thoughts veered more towards marvelling at how she could look fabulous in a type of cloth­ing more closely associated with cheap sex. Let me explain. The high-gloss item, perfect for quick clean up and fetishist activities, is toned down by a casual white T-shirt, cosy or high-necked jum­per, pretty ponytail and understated make-up. You can wear rough boots or refined heels as long as they are of quality. Obviously, expert tailor­ing and good fabrics create a more polished effect. And an elegant, outrageously pricey handbag confirms the wearer is anything but cheap. Or maybe you saw the red, patent lamb­skin, straight-legged trousers by Louis Vuitton. Sorry, we checked and those aren’t available right now. Instead, consider Isabel Marant’s slim-cut, coated cotton trousers with a patent leather effect in red or black (HK$6,950; luisaviaroma.com). If your inten­tion is other than fashion, you might enjoy a visit to Liquid Vinyl Clothing, where you can choose from innumer­able types of trousers and leggings to be custom made for you in the United States for as little as HK$698.

The Dictator: Uh, yes. That’s the whole point. The dressed-up, night-time accessory looks so unusual, it becomes something new. And fashion people are always on the hunt for the new. So much so, I’ve even heard them refer to the new new, as if repeating the word makes it better and newer. If you really want to be on trend, you should be shopping for velvet footwear. I’ve already lost you, haven’t I? As for satin, this season, it is used for much more than weddings. Of course, there is Manolo Blahnik, the iconic foot­wear boutique where many a bejewelled satin flat, sandal and pump is on display in a wide spectrum of colours (HK$5,995 to HK$11,995). Similarly, Roger Vivier, Stuart Weitzman and Cosmoparis will all oblige, with glittering embellishments. A few standouts in this genre include Rochas’ black satin slides with a crystal bow (HK$6,200; On Pedder); and N° 21’s high-heeled, peep-toe mules in copper-coloured satin finished with a diamant­é pussycat (HK$6,200; On Pedder). Satin also appears on trainers this season. Paperplanes, for example, makes slip-ons with classic white rubber soles and satin uppers in bright blue, navy, grey, purple or red (HK$372; www.zalora.com.hk). Pedro Garcia’s Parson trainers also create the rough/smooth contrast, mixing white cotton laces and thick rubber soles with pink, army green or midnight blue satin (HK$3,190; Lane Crawford). Finally, try going wonderfully old school with a custom-made pair of kitten heels by one of Hong Kong’s longstanding shoe­makers, such as Mayer Shoes (The Mandarin Oriental, Central, tel: 2524 3317).