I’m a picky and discreet shopper. Considering that I’ve been stocking up on clothes as much as I’ve been selling them over the past decade, I have every reason to be. After all, a T-shirt is a T-shirt is a T-shirt. And don’t even get me started on the bags and accessories. Which is why my mantra these days is “less is more,” and the only things that I’ll be spending my hard-earned moolah on are classic pieces or basics that I’ll be using for a long, looooong time. Which is why when Club 21 Men stopped stocking Belgian label Maison Martin Margiela from last season, I almost flipped. Where else would I find the quality basics shirts and tees that I’ll probably still be wearing 10 years from now? Thankfully, the good people at Surrender (#02-31 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6733-2130) will be bringing in the upcoming Spring/Summer 2011 collection over the next few weeks. While the ladies will have nothing to look forward to aside from the accessories (Surrender is a menswear boutique, after all), guys like me will be saving up for the label’s impeccably made shirts, T-shirts, pants, suits and shoes. In fact, I should be calling up the guys to reserve all the size 50s just for me as I’m writing this. Christmas definitely came early for me this year.
It seems like the guys at ActuallyActually (#02-01, 16 Purvis St., 6336-0721) are also pretty consistent with their offerings—they have new releases every week, in fact. The latest drops include Korean womenswear label About Be. Created by young Korean designers Bohyun and Eunji since September 2009, the duo are known to favor simple silhouettes for the modern woman—from chiffon dresses to versatile blouses that’s great for both work and play. They’re also affordably priced from $99-230.
If you’re looking for something more playful and girlie, just head to new store Individual Expression (#01-73/74 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6333-0468) for your fix of funky accessories, colorful blousons, shoes and even artwork. That’s right—the boutique just launched its irreverent Resort collection in collaboration with Very Special Arts Singapore to showcase select whimsical arts and crafts pieces, with a portion of the sales going towards helping the disabled. Expect to see a fair share of aspiring young tai-tais flock to this spot soon. Good thing it’s all for a good cause, too.
