Fashion in Singapore is usually confined into a tiny corner as there’s a distinct lack in the 4 seasons.
With the hot and humid climate, guys live in a uniform of a T-shirt, berms/surf-shorts and havainnas. Good look? It’s mediocre, but that’s ALL they wear. T-shirts are probably the most important in anyone’s wardrobes. T-shirts should be well-fitted (no rapper like ones), the colour should never be faded in any way. I like the ones from Armani Exchange that are made out of pima cotton and are so well cut and do not make you over heat. An alternative is ck Calvin Klein basic pima cotton tees. Finding the perfect T-shirt is a precious find, and buy as many as you can afford as stores have that horrid habit of discontinuing your perfect tee. And remember to get different shades- black, navy blue, slate grey and white – as these colours go with almost everything. A simple T-shirt, a great belt and a good pair of jeans with great shoes is a much cooler look. Printed T-shirts are alright – I’ve got some great ones from A|X and Country Road, but plain ones are more useful. However, they are so noticeable that you can’t really wear them often, and some times, they look a little too gimmicky when it’s too much.
T-shirts with slogans are not too bad, but make sure they’re sensible ones. The 70s was peppered with T-shirts with the Sex Pistols, Vivienne Westwood’s punk pieces. To be honest, I can’t really stand the ones that have got suggestive words printed on the front/back of the T-shirt. Junk Food (from Urban Outfitters) does some great ones as they’re basically names of bands and they’re really cool when paired with jeans and a baseball cap or hat. These sloganed rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts are cool and show that you’ve got a sense of humour, which is attractive. The ones made by House of Holland are really fun as well, coming up with stuff like “Get your freak on Giles Deacon”, “Do me daily Christopher Bailey” and “Cause me pain Hedi Slimane”. A look that I love doing in the summer or while in Singapore is a good-fitting T-shirt, straight cut jeans a pair of good shoes and sunglasses.
Shirts have long been a part of my wardrobe, regularly worn whenever I want to channel that smart-casual look. A shirt should be fitted well, non-baggy and should have those collar stands that make the collar pop. I always like a classic coloured shirt with a little design just to make it more interesting. Reiss does some fantastic ones that last forever, Country Road (an Australian brand) does shirts that look like they cost a bomb, Dolce & Gabbana does some great bib front ones, Dior Homme also does some fantastic detailed shirts as well. For the more peculiar and fun detailing, Vivienne Westwood is your best bet.
Waistcoats have been making a comeback. They instantly make an outfit much more interesting and are really cool when paired with V-neck T-shirts and jeans. I’ve got a few vintage ones that I sent to my tailor to take in at the back to make it much more fitted. A look that I like and have rocked is a rock ‘n’ roll T-shirt, a waistcoat, skinny jeans and leather sneakers (fedora is optional).
In the winter, I count on my trusty jumpers from A|X as they’re well-knitted, and fit like a glove. I hate feeling cold, and would do anything to feel warm while stylish. Country Road do some thin but warm wool jumpers that are comfortable and easily layered over or under. Teamed with jeans, boots and a scarf, it spells chic. Coats are obviously a huge part during winter. I like sticking to Burberry’s trenches, Reiss pea coats/half-trench and bomber jackets. They keep you warm while allowing you to be stylish.
(More on this series in the later days/weeks to come)
[vogue] 