Sumptous street chic @ Sandwich

I have an apparent weakness. You could call it a sin or even deem it illegal but its true, I still yearn to be a teenage K-pop idol. Even though I'm way past any idol competition entry age, I can't help going slightly 'google' eyed when I see cute street wear meant for the effervescent teens. So when I got a chance to cover 4 emerging street wear shops this week, I jumped on it like a kid on a rampage in a candy store.

I admit, exciting street wear isn't exactly what Saigon is known for. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to even find teenagers listening to The Killers or doing a flip-kick on their skateboards anywhere in Vietnam. Unlike markets in Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong where decades of MTV, X-Games and Asian Hip-Hop has amalgamated into modern society; Saigon's teen influences have thus far been a very K-pop mixed with Disney Channel affair. But as with all emerging markets, teens are very quick to pick up on the frivolous youth trends that come and go yearly. This is Saigon youth's coming of age - stepping out of their Ao Dai past and leaping into a new generation of 'angsty' melodramatic emo-rock personalities mixed with K-pop accessibility.

The first shop is only 2 months old and located just off the junction of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Le Thanh Ton, (5 minutes off swanky Dong Khoi and bargain hunting Ben Thanh Market). The name Sandwich is a 'no-brainer' as it is literally stuck between a cafe (which has changed so many times, I've neglected to remember the name) and the staircase to a very pretty cafe upstairs called La Fenetre. Only, this sandwich has some seriously sweet filling.

Sandwich
125 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Dist 1 HCMC

Every good street wear shop knows that youths are at the beginning of their journey as hunters. Hunting for first love, hunting for a good education, hunting for a creative outlet, hunting for an edge above their peers and ultimately hunting to fit in with their age and global identity. They want the world to know they've arrived in style and are ready to strut their way to the top.

At Sandwich, they've made sure Thanh Phuong aka Melanie Strange and Quang Duc aka Sid Vicious has everything they need to make the world eat from their hands. Cutesy, angsty and full of pouting lip-smacking gear ranging from t-shirts, caps, hats, summer dresses, skirts, pants, shorts, belts, bags, shoes and of course the all important identity defining wrist bands, chokers, bangles, and toy dangles to boot.

Ready to bring your blushing girlfriend for a 'Rain' concert? Then pick yourself a cool skull print sweater to layer over your semi-washed grungy stars and stripes t-shirt and just so she knows how cool your chaffed skin injury from your half-pipe accident looks, put on your plaid shorts with silver chains dangling onto your million dong 'Rolling Stones-Hot Lips' Velcro wallet. And because you know having super-waxed jagged cuts for a hairdo is not enough, top off your look with a dastardly toothy monster cap. Shoes? Well you're not quite ready for any serious office work but sure are ready to show her some Melbourne shuffling dance moves, so pick yourself a lightly striped canvas sneakers and forget the socks. Want to turn your post-pimply teen hunk into bumbling jello? Then it's time for you to set the alarm bells ringing with peekaboo bulbous short skirts hung from slim black garters over skin tight baby T's that hug the form enough to give any guy a serious nose bleed - without losing your decency.

For the teen idol girl to bask in the glory of swooning guys, complement your attire with a host of cheeky country summer dresses, cute vests, super short polka dot shorts and lots of candy coloured bangles that 'clinks' every time you twirl your locks. Of course, don't just run around barefooted (unless you're at the beach) but get his eyes wandering down to your feet every once in awhile with ballerina type moccasins that will awaken the prince charming in every guy you meet. Take your pic from angel pure white to alluring pink stripes or flower patterns. And while you may already have coloured streaks on your hair, nothing says street chic princess better than countering your guy's monster cap with one of your own. Finally, with all the notebooks, shades, ipods, phones and cameras you have, a swanky bowling bag slung over your shoulder will simply add to your allure as guys constantly try to figure out what secrets lie within the sanctity of your zipped treasure box.

When you've completely knocked your peers off your feet, Sandwich helps you make more friends with all the trinkets and cool figurines you can collect and pass them out to crazed fans whenever you want a little more 'TLC'. It's all at Sanwich, quality items with true 'street cred' from urban neighbourhoods like Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and more. Soon however, I am pretty sure Saigon will be bursting with their interpretation of urban street culture as teenagers forge ahead with their blend of American music attitude and Vietnamese summer style.

Coming up next week: Tokyo Irreverance @ Nong Noc, Skatepark @ PJay and NuStreet @ Lu.Xu.Bu