Dan Ahwa, the fashion editor of Canvas magazine and unassumingly stylish man, shares some new-season shopping tips for men.
A secret or unexpected store that you love?
There's a family-run store at the very top end of the Otahuhu shopping strip on Great South Rd in South Auckland that sells Hawaiian print shirts, old school backpacks and raincoats, all made onsite.
Favourite place to shop online?
British-based oki-ni.com carry a good selection of some of my favourite labels like Comme des Garcons, Jil Sander and Carven. Asos.com is also a good place to find reasonably priced shoes that aren't available here, as well as openingceremony.us. They have a great selection of American sportswear from the likes of Gitman Brothers and Pendelton.
The piece that every man should have in his wardrobe?
A lightweight sweater. You can never have enough good knitwear. There's some good crew-neck knitwear at Barkers, and Polo Ralph Lauren often has good trans-seasonal knits in lightweight pima cotton that's easy to wash.
Best way to update a look with accessories?
A good watch is the perfect way to personalise what you're wearing. I love the watches from local label I Love Ugly; the streamlined and minimal design works well with casual and formal situations. For something special, you can't look past the range of Swiss watches at Partridge Jewellers. A personal favourite is the Longines heritage automatic chronograph watch with leather strap. For something inexpensive, Swatch constantly update their colours and designs each season. Sunglasses are another easy way to keep things current. Karen Walker's eyewear collection is a favourite - certain styles can be worn by men - as are the selection of vintage sunglasses from vintage-sunglasses-shop.com. For spring I'll alternate between something classic and a pair of Oakley sunglasses with reflective lenses.
