CLUB 21 x SHENTONISTA — Best Of Both Worlds

Clarence, Events.
Jacket from Paul Smith S/S2016’s ‘A Suit To Travel In’ collection; cotton sweater, cotton shorts, leather shoes, and leather bag, all from Paul Smith

A peek at Clarence’s Instagram reveals his penchant for simple, well-fitted basics in a muted colour palette, as a well as a thirst for good food and plenty of adventure. But whatever colour he lacks in his on-screen wardrobe, he makes up for with his personality — see his chuckle-inducing, pun-filled captions, or, as we find out in real life, his amicable, chatty personality. The 25-year-old is already a seasoned traveller, and seems pretty well-versed in style as well; we speak to him and get to know him a little better.

Shentonista (S): What does travel represent to you? Why do you like to travel?

Clarence (C): I guess it gives you a lot of different angles and points of view, from all over the world. It’s great to gain all these different experiences, and I just love to see the architecture in various countries, and how the people dress. It’s a really great eye-opener.

S: Favourite place to travel to? Why?

C: I wouldn’t say I have a favourite city, because each time I go to a different one, I’m amazed at the differences. But so far, I really did enjoy my recent Tokyo trip. I guess it’s because I love Japanese food and the fashion there; there’re quite a lot of stores to visit. It was my second trip there, and the weather was a bit warmer, which was good because I’m not used to being too cold.

S: One memorable experience you had while overseas? Or something you learnt while you were travelling?

C: When I’m overseas I tend to talk to quite a number of people. Random people and strangers; when I ask for directions; people from my hotel; or even the aunties in stores. Sometimes I return to the store and they remember me, so that’s quite nice. It turns out everyone’s just really friendly and helpful.

S: Do you use any alternative modes of transport? Do you wish you could incorporate them into your lifestyle?

C: I do cycle, and sometimes I use a kickscooter. It’s too far to travel to work like that, though, and I don’t want to sweat. I’ve had dreams of everyone cycling around in Singapore, because it’s so small. I also like the idea of incorporating bicycles into my daily outfit, in a way. I love bicycles and the way they look on camera. If possible, yes, I would love to cycle everywhere, but judging from the weather, it’s a bit hard.

S: What’s your favourite mode of transport and why?

C: Currently, it would be one of those ride-sharing apps (laughs). If I’m overseas, though, I love taking trains or public transport because it’s easier to see the country.

S: Describe your dream travel experience/trip.

C: There’s a couple of places that I want to visit — Sweden, and maybe Switzerland. I’d probably go with close friends, because I know we’d have a good time together. (Do you usually go backpacking?) The best of both worlds, again (laughs). I love to travel to sightsee, and to hike and all that, but I also love the city life — I want to go shopping, I want to eat a lot.

S: What’s one common problem or pain you face when travelling — either by yourself, or with a group? 

C: I usually travel with people, so in a group it can get a bit difficult because different people have different itineraries they want to fulfil. We’ll either try to accommodate everybody for the day, or we’ll go our separate ways (laughs). And it’s fine, because the beauty about travelling is finding yourself as well, and I don’t mind travelling alone for a couple of days out of the whole trip. I’ve never really had any big fights about stuff like that while travelling!

S: What’s your packing process for travelling like? Any tips? How do you manage to stay stylish even when travelling?

C: I’m not the kind to pack just the day before, but I also wouldn’t pack two weeks ahead — It’s more or less a couple of days before the trip. But I do roughly plan out what I’m going to wear, like I’m going to save a particular piece of clothing for my trip. Planning my outfits can be a quite a hassle actually (laughs). I’d bring a lot of stuff. For example, you know how people would normally bring one or two outerwear options if they’re travelling to a cold country? I would bring four or five. It’s also quite essential for me to pack at least three to four pairs of shoes, even though I know I’m going to buy shoes on my trip. (Is this for a short trip or a long trip?) Normally my trips are six to seven days and above. But I think I’ve learnt how to narrow down my choices, to bring things that are easier to transport. Instead of bringing my boots, for instance, I’d bring a lighter pair of shoes.

S: Do you have any tips when it comes to balancing comfort and style?

C: I think I would try to choose the best of both worlds. To me, style is very important, because it has to suit you. Whatever I like, I’ll go for it, try it, and then find out whether it’s okay. If it’s comfortable, that’s a plus point, but if not, then it doesn’t really matter actually (laughs). It’s about being adventurous, but at the same time, knowing what fits your personality and your character. What you feel comfortable in, basically.

S: Do you think your style has evolved over the years?

C: I was more adventurous last time, with colours and all that. Over time it slowly became a bit more simplistic, I would say. It’s not necessarily more monochrome or anything, but just simpler cuts, lines and colours. I guess it’s easier as well.

S: How do you think menswear has changed recently?

C: Nowadays you can see people and celebrities that like to mash-up the whole suit thing with streetwear, so you’d see them wearing a very formal top with bottoms that are a bit more street or baggy, like sweatpants, with sneakers. I think it’s quite unique in that sense, it’s quite a fun thing.

S: What do you look for when it comes to a suit? Top considerations?

C: I would say the fit, because a lot of times the blazers are quite loose for me. It’s quite hard to find a fitted one, so the fit is the first thing I consider, and of course, the material is important too.

S: Is there anything you used to wear that you don’t think you would ever wear again today?

C: I used to buy women’s clothes, like jeans, because I’m quite skinny and it was hard to find guy’s jeans in my size. But I realised that it wasn’t really a good idea because the cutting is a bit different!

S: Do you usually wear suits?

C: I used to wear suits more often last time — one or two years ago I used to wear suits to work but after a while I was just like, you know what, this isn’t working out (laughs). I actually have a wardrobe with a lot blazers but I haven’t been touching them. Sometimes I’d just wear a blazer with shorts and a t-shirt.

S: What’s your favourite part about your job? 

C: Meeting different people. We usually focus on fashion and lifestyle clients, but we do have corporate, banking, and automobile clients, for example. It’s interesting, lah, because the age gap can be quite large: young, around my age, to those in their thirties and forties. It’s very interesting, the way you have to communicate with clients and this whole other group of people. In addition, we also do a lot of events, so we bring in celebrities and designers from all over the world — that’s an eye opener as well.

S: What’s the biggest lesson that your work has taught you? 

C: Humility. To always be nice to everyone, from your clients, to suppliers, to vendors, to the cleaning auntie. It’s a connection you need with people, and you never know where, along in your life, you’ll meet them again. I’ve met so many different people through this job, right down to people we hire to clean the event space, or the security guards for an event. It’s very nice to talk to these people and find out their backstories.

S: What kind of journey do you hope 2016 has in store for you, whether it’s in your career, in life, or to new places? Any plans or projects you’d like to share about? 

C: I’m actually excited about what work has to offer. It’s going to be a very interesting year for fashion again, and aside from that, I’m going to the States at the end of may to visit one of my best friends whom I’ve not seen for quite a while. I’m going to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, so that’s a trip that I’m looking forward to.

This is a Shentonista project for Paul Smith and Club 21. 

Join in the conversation: hashtag #TravelWithPS on any travel-related Instagram post and stand to win one of three exclusive Paul Smith notebooks. Whether it’s your travel essentials, your daily commute, or a shot from a trip, let your sense of adventure guide you. The contest runs from 1st – 15th March 2016.

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