5 questions with … Max Loong

SINGAPORE - Dockers recently announced its first local ambassador in the person of Max Loong, the 32-year-old actor-host of Chinese-Malaysian and Swiss descent. He will be busy playing host at the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix this weekend with Nicki Mueller, and the big motor sports fan is more than excited. "I grew up in and around cars as my dad used to be a race car driver". Loong said he was "honoured" when he was approached to be the local face for Dockers, claming that he "used to wear a lot of their khaki pants" during his early adult years.


 

Are Dockers khaki pants still your favourite pieces?
Yep, their Alpha Khaki pants. They have it in all kinds of different colours. When I was able to go to the shop to choose my own stuff, I never thought that I would wear blue, orange or red pants and I actually do it because they've got a whole bunch of colourful Alpha Khaki pants. I like their cuts, they are slim fit and obviously, they have this chino type of look and I like it. It's something that you can wear for any sort of occasion. I can show up looking well-dressed for a business meeting and still have a happy hour drink later and lead off casually with some friends.


You mentioned that you didn't use to wear blue or orange pants. Why?
I don't know. I've only started wearing colours in the last couple of years. If I ever walked into a store, I used to play it safe when I was a lot younger and go with black, white and beige.

(Dockers) got me on to wearing (colours). They have this blue Alpha Khakis and a blue/white checked shirt and I always get a lot of compliments! The next one I'm gonna wear are the orange ones. I don't have them yet but when I get them … (laughs)


 

How would you describe your sense of style?
I think it ranges from casual to smart. I like to go casual but I definitely like to go smart, casual smart and business-like once in a while. So that's why I like the range - they have a business type of range as well but always neat. I'm not too funky or too experimental, even though I'm starting to appreciate new colours.


Is there anything you will avoid wearing?
No baggy? I used to like baggy when I was, like, 18? When I had my hip hop phase. At the end of the day, I think the beauty of fashion is that there are no restrictions and limitations - I see some guys wearing super, super skinny jeans and it suits them. I see other dudes wearing baggy and it suits them as well. I personally don't like it when it's super skinny or too baggy so I like to stay within my comfortable range. I think as soon as you feel comfortable with your clothes, you exude that (confidence). I used to think that as a man, you gotta be able to wear pink. But it's one of the colours that I don't wear very much any more. But I'm pretty open-minded.


What do you think makes the outfit?
I think what makes someone look good in any outfit is if he or she feels comfortable in it. That's also what Dockers is all about - it targets comfort in young, successful and self-driven men and at the end of the day, I believe that gaining that confidence (shows) in the way you dress. I think that if you feel comfortable in what you wear, people can tell.