You know guys here take fashion very seriously when they don jackets to the clubs (or even hawker centers). Fad or otherwise, the preppy look most recently inspired by Mad Men has never been more popular, with two new bespoke men’s boutiques opening at Ann Siang Hill in the past six months.
Enter the newly minted Swagger which just opened last month, although the store took two years to set up. “We wanted to get the formula right before we opened,” says its marketing manager Bryant Tang. “We spent as much time traveling and researching, sourcing the globe to bring unique brands and products that are rare or produced in limited quantities, but are incredibly well made and affordably priced.”
What you will find in the store is a carefully curated selection of apparel, leather goods, accessories, literature, vintage collectibles and grooming products that are “distinctive or have a deep heritage,” says Tang.
Highlights include the Raleigh Denim Workshop jeans imported from the US, bearing a hand-stamped edition number on each pair and customized details on the inside pockets ($369), and the handmade leather Wood & Faulk bags and belts ($329 upwards) by American founder-designer Matt Pierce.
But men come here primarily to make a suit (made from Italian wool fabrics, available from $1,200) or shoes. A pair of made-to-measure leather shoes is priced from $650 and you can customize it from a range of leathers and finishing, with four lasts to choose from.
Just across from Swagger is Finespun Clothiers, another one-stop destination for men seeking bespoke tailoring services, shoe customization and readymade prêt-à-porter labels. The four-month-old establishment founded by Caroline Yak uses only fabrics from renowned English and European mills for its bespoke pieces. It also just launched a new range of one-off shirts ($220 each) that make great statement pieces.
After soaking up different experiences overseas, Yak returned to Singapore to embark on this bespoke boutique journey. “I’ve been surrounded with textiles since young. Our family business begun with trading suiting fabric, evolved into shirting fabric and eventually in sourcing and manufacturing,” says Yak. “I’ve always been fascinated with the finer details in menswear: Creating and redefining traditions with an edgier flair, sealed with artisanal tailored finishing.”
The result: Affordable shirts off the rack from $220 and an exclusive range of shirts that bears Yak’s care and attention to detail with variation in texture, weight and cut (from $1,800). On top of an array of ties, bow-ties and pocket squares ($65 upwards), you can also get bespoke loafers ($800 upwards) made from fine European leather by experienced European craftsmen, which take about three to four weeks to complete.
Yak sums up our fascination with all things bespoke best: “Individualism is the dress of thoughts as it allows the clients to reveal their innate [taste]. Le style c’est l’homme même (The style is the man himself).”
Other boutiques offering bespoke clothes:
Kevin Seah
Apart from handcrafted tailored menswear, the boutique also carries a small selection of vintage Cazal and Nackymade eyewear and Lodger shoes.
CYC The Custom Shop
Customize a shirt from just $109 here. Regular ones are also available from $89.
